Microsoft, a company every one knows for their laptops, their operating system and their XBOX series, recently bought one of the most popular games, Minecraft. I personally think that this was one of Microsoft’s smartest decisions this year for several reasons:

1. Microsoft’s Window’s phones have nothing but problems. Microsoft tried entering a market that is dominated by operating systems like Android and iOS.
2. Those who play Minecraft are dedicated and passionate about the game
3. Minecraft does not only attract gamers but have begun being admired by young kids, parents and even schools

In my opinion, this allows Microsoft to be known for something else besides Word, Windows and Xbox. It gives Microsoft a strong brand image and it allows them to use Minecraft to combat some of the weaknesses the company faces. Even though Minecraft might not make a lot of money for Microsoft, I feel like it does a lot more. It gives Microsoft a stronger name in the gaming industry something they have been lacking. It promotes their brand name, once again something I feel they have been lacking in the past years.

Bibliography:

The Wall Street Journal. Dow Jones & Company, n.d. Web. 18 Sept. 2014. <http://online.wsj.com/articles/microsoft-agrees-to-acquire-creator-of-minecraft-1410786190>.

After reading the article entitled “Lonmin: Marikana Strike was Uncharacteristic,” I began to question Lonmin’s function within South Africa. For those who don’t know about the Marikana incident, it’s an event that has often been described as a ‘massacre’ that resulted in the death of innocent workers.

I was living in South Africa at the time of the incident and hearing about the incident all over the news was an eye opener. Reading about this unresolved issue today still surprises me. According to my prior knowledge and analysis, Multinational Corporations (MNCs) operating within a country have ethical and social responsibilities, which include improving the workforce, infrastructure, etc. In my opinion, the fact that Lonmin had shot upon innocent protesters brings back memories of apartheid. To make matters worse Lonmin states in the article ““We never anticipated that Lonmin employees would be armed on a Sunday.” After doing research, many sources stated that Lonmin had conducted searches on the strikers present and found no firearms, which once again questions Lonmin’s responsibility within South Africa.”

In the end, I begin to question weather or not MNCs are in fact benefiting within third world countries or are they just there to benefit from cheap labor, resources the country has to offer and a corrupt government.

Video about the Incident:

If your interested more on what happened, this is the video that had gone viral all over South Africa at the time of the incident.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=meqSjgMKv-I

Bibliography:

“Lonmin: Marikana Strike Was Uncharacteristic.” News24. N.p., 01 Sept. 2014. Web. 10 Sept. 2014. <http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Lonmin-Marikana-strike-was-uncharacteristic-20140901>.