In an era of emerging hybrids and fuel-efficient cars, one would think that General Motor’s larger SUV models would be endangered to the rapidly increasing fuel economy. With a distinct incline in gas prices, it would be intuitive to rule out the possibility of purchasing one of Chevrolet or GMCs large crossovers. However, the larger SUV models such as the Tahoe, Suburban,Yukon and Yukon XL still turn a substantial profit. The presumable reason for the continuing success behind these fuel monsters is the demographic they cater to. The folks who purchase these types of gas-guzzlers tend to be more affluent. With the dying need for uneconomical automobiles, GMC has been able to jack up the price of these models because of the superior income of their target market. The families who purchase these vehicles tend to utilize every one of their capabilities, notably, their space, size and their ability to cope with a myriad of unstable terrains. I would argue that even though we are still feeling the aftermath of a global, economic recession, the individuals who have the means to spend money on gas at escalating prices per gallon will spend the money for the added space and comfort. Inevitably, the dying age of these larger model SUVs are still highly profitable, even on their last legs.

Microsoft’s recent purchasing of Nokia Mobility is noted as the company’s way of regaining its lost momentum. They believe that this purchase will allow them to compete with other mobile giants such as Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Android devices. However, LinkedIn’s experts’ opinions greatly differ. Microsoft is an aging company who is desperately trying to take control of too many sectors of technology, in this case- mobility, and expanding beyond their capabilities. As LinkedIn notes,” Microsoft’s problem isn’t that it has too little technology; it has too much”. This statement is correct regarding the variety of conflicting markets the company is trying to satisfy including: enterprise, personal computing, mobile and entertainment.

I believe that Microsoft has lost sight of what success entails in the technological industry. Companies that specialize in a narrower variety of products tend to produce better and more successful merchandise. In order for Microsoft to compete with the emergence of Apple’s iPhone and Google’s Androids, the company needs to breakdown into “micro-Microsofts” and allow its geniuses to innovate in a smaller capacity and specialize in their own core products.

Microsoft’s products cannot win in every emerging field. If they continue to fight this “losing battle”, failure is inevitable for this aging company.

A lack ofethical behaviour by Nike management is discussed in the Article, “Nike Faces NewWorker Abuse Claims In Indonesia”, where the integrity of this athletic powerhouse is once again at stake. Employees from the Converse plant located in Sukabumi, Indonesia have made claims that there supervisors,” throw shoes at them, slap them in the face and call them dogs and pigs”. Verbal and physical abuses are at top of the list regarding work force violations. Based on Nike’s past of worke

r safety desecrations, notably, the fire that occurred at the factory in Bangladesh due to work inspection issues, these allegations will take another toll against the reputation of the Nike brand. Another worker stated that, “she was fired in 2009 for taking sick leave, even though she produced a doctor’s note” which is a blatant act of wrongful discharge and violates the business ethics code implemented by Nike. This act conflicts with the legality that had been applied by this athletic corporation in the first pl

ace. Nike’s reputation is plummeting due to their deliberate ignorance towards their workers rights and safety within their factories. Unlike most tarnished firms, they seem to continue this negative trend in countries outside of NorthAmerica.

Welcome to UBC Blogs. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start blogging!