Digital Commons Network^™

Moral Imagination And The Future Of Sweatshops, Laura Hartman, Denis Arnold

Laura Hartman

Disputes concerning global labor practices are at the core of contemporary debates regarding globalization. In this essay we explore two multinational corporations’ global labor programs in an effort to illustrate the positive impact of moral imagination at the individual, organizational, and systems levels on the “sweatshop” problem. The intent is to identify the factors that have allowed particular multinational corporations (MNCs) to respect at least some of the basic rights of workers and thereby exhibit positive deviancy from historical norms in the apparel and footwear manufacturing industry. The labor initiatives discussed in this paper were trailblazing at their inception. However, …

Thoughts On American Manufacturing Decline And Revitalization, Timothy Bartik

Timothy J. Bartik

The recent decline in American manufacturing probably reflects long-run problems. A sensible approach to revitalizing American manufacturing would focus on overcoming inefficiencies in the development of manufacturing, such as problems in small- and medium-sized manufacturers getting information about deploying new technologies. This approach to revitalizing manufacturing can best be implemented through federal efforts to encourage and support state and local economic development policies that help enhance manufacturing productivity. A decentralized approach to the revitalization of manufacturing encourages a variety of creative policies, is adaptable to local conditions, and is consistent with American political traditions.

Optics, Imaging, And Photonics: Building A 21st Century Industry In Rochester, Ny, Jennifer Clark, Susan Christopherson

Jennifer Clark