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globalEDGE Blog - By Author: Jiachen Mo
Athleisure Trend Around the World
Jiachen Mo
Publish Date: 1/14/2020 10:20:15 AM
A health-and-wellness storm has been sweeping through countries around the world. It has affected and shaped numerous industries, from food to technology. Of course, the ever-changing fashion industry is hopping on the bandwagon as well. This time, it has partnered with the sports industry to create apparel that can be worn not only during workouts. Athleisure wear gave exercise attire a stylish twist in addition to innovative fabrics that are designed for people to have a laid-back, yet stylish lifestyle.
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Authenticity of Food and Globalization
Publish Date: 11/19/2019 10:05:10 AM
As cultures collide, people are becoming more tolerable of changes and foreign ideas. During the past few decades, the variety in every aspect of life has been increasing, especially in the food industry. People are becoming more adventurous and willing to try different tastes and spices. However, some of these so-called "authentic" restaurants are not as authentic as they may seem.
Updated Community College Conferences on globalEDGE
Publish Date: 11/5/2019 10:03:18 AM
The Community College Conferences section was recently updated by the globalEDGE team. These conferences usually occur from March until May every year at locations worldwide. This is a valuable destination that guides community college educators who are looking to refine or develop new programs. In addition, it also provides people interested in international business the opportunity to learn and connect.
How Do Public Policies Affect Global Supply Chains?
As globalization continues, companies around the world are diversifying their supply chains and exploring outsourcing options. Expectations for supply chains are steadily increasing. The goal is for consumers to receive goods at lower prices and higher qualities in a timely manner. However, these are all contingent upon the political atmosphere. A company's supply chain in a particular country depends heavily on the restrictions on market access, transport and logistic services infrastructure, and the business environment.
Decline of the Postcards Industry
Postcards could be dated back to the Victorian era in the UK. It was the first time that brightly colored photos were sent and received to share the joy of special occasions, travel destinations, and precious memories. However, there has been a steady decline in the sales of postcards, predominately due to the rise of social media and portable technologies. These platforms have led to instant sharing and convenience for postcard consumers.
Updated Community College Course Syllabi on globalEDGE
The Community College Course Syllabi section was recently updated by the globalEDGE team. This section contains a list of International Business focused syllabi from different community colleges in the United States. Including a wide range of disciplines, make sure to check out and utilize the Community College Course Syllabi resources to develop or enhance international business courses, as well as to gain knowledge as an educator.
The Move Towards Pop-up Stores and Small-Formats
Recently, big retail giants have been approaching their brick-and-mortar stores differently. Instead of following their traditional footsteps, companies have been looking into alternative ways to stay competitive in the digital economy and to attract a wider consumer base. This trend has just recently surfaced in the U.S., but for other countries, this has already been in practice for many years. In areas with dense population and expensive rents, it is very typical for retailers to downsize. It allows the company to operate without incurring an unreasonable amount of fixed expenses. Best of both worlds, it offers convenience to customers while staying competitive amongst other retailers.
The Rising Trend of Nationalism and Anti-Globalization
Publish Date: 9/5/2019 9:56:27 AM
As technology advances and connectivity increases, countries are closer to each other than ever. Economically, trade blocs have increased partnership among countries and encouraged production specialization. Politically, countries are moving towards a free market and competing for additional foreign investments. Recently, however, these trends seem to be going in a slightly different direction. Governments are encouraging more domestic investments and developments. A stronger sense of nationalism is developing while the term "globalization" now has a negative connotation to some audiences.
The Switch From NAFTA to USMCA, What's the Same and What's Different?
Publish Date: 4/23/2019 2:35:09 PM
On January 1, 1994, the United States, Canada, and Mexico came together and signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This trade bloc aims to reduce trade restrictions among the three countries, thus encouraging investment and increasing market access. Under President Trump's administration, the three countries reached a new agreement called the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) which replaces the former NAFTA. These two agreements have many similar points, yet several unique distinctions as well.
Where is Automation Taking Us?
Publish Date: 4/11/2019 12:35:16 PM
Automation, a familiar term to all of us, was rarely used 100 years ago. Technology advancements took place at an exponential speed during the last century, and this trend shows no evidence of slowing down. It is estimated that 40% of the world's jobs will be replaced by automated robots in the next 15 years. While both blue collar and white collar professions will be affected, occupations that involve dangerous and repetitive activities will be up first. Artificial intelligence and automation are destined to change the workforce and transform the routine of many industries.
People are Demanding Healthier Snack Options
Publish Date: 4/2/2019 2:42:26 PM
Snacks have always played an important role in people's lives. It satisfies cravings and provides energy between meals. In 2018, revenue of snack sales exceeded $150 billion dollars worldwide. Despite its optimal revenue and growth, the industry has been going through some serious reconstruction recently. Consumers are demanding healthier options and craving less indulgence food.
Benefits of Multilingualism
There are about 7,000 different languages spoken around the world. These languages are more than just a form of communication but instead represent different cultures, traditions, and identities. They are an inseparable aspect of people's lives. Especially in today's society, bilingualism or even multilingualism is very common due to close proximity to other countries with different languages and an increased desire to acquire such skills. Below are some advantages of being multilingual:
Autonomous Driving Meets Food Delivery
The food service industry is experiencing more changes than ever. Several decades ago, traditional food services were improved by food delivery apps. Now, a new method of food delivery is on the rise that will revolutionize this industry. Autonomous vehicles have been in the spotlight recently, from daily conversations to public debates. But who would have imagined for autonomous driving to step into the food industry first? Currently, auto manufactures from around the world are partnering with small startups to deliver food and groceries.
Tourism and Tourists' Spending Around the World
In the past few decades, there has been a steady increase in the number of international tourists everywhere, both inbound and outbound. As connections increase due to globalization and advanced technology, more people are traveling for leisure than ever. This increase has shaped a new industry with high growth potential. In recent years, tourists' spending is increasing at a surprising speed, contributing to countries GDP and shaping many travel policies.
Trends in the Beauty Industry
The beauty industry is constantly changing, adapting to new consumer wants and developing innovative products. Demands in the industry are very volatile, affected by many factors on a daily basis. Below are some current trends:
How Extreme Weather Affects Supply Chains
Publish Date: 2/4/2019 11:29:57 AM
This past week, the Midwest United States was swept by a deadly winter storm. With wind chills, some areas' temperature reached a staggering negative 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Extreme weather, like this storm, impedes many industries and processes, creating inconveniences and delays. In response to weather, many factors change including demand, production, and delivery. As a result, the supply chains of numerous companies have been impacted in a negative way.
Business Hubs Around The World
Over the past several decades, many countries in the Middle East, Asia, and South America have experienced unprecedented growth. Reduced restrictions combined with increased globalization sparked interest from the worlds largest corporations and investors. Numerous Fortune 500 companies are opening international headquarters for better reach and lower production costs. Business hubs are shifting locations from the West to a better balance across the world. Read below for details on several specific countries and cities.
What is "Bumping" and How Does It Affect Air Travelers?
Taking into consideration cancellation and no-shows, airlines have always been overbooking flights in order to maintain a full flight and keep the prices low. Most of the time, predictions are accurate and all passengers are able to board the flight. However, on some occasions, passengers will be "bumped". Bumping also referred to as "declined-boarding", is when passengers are forced to give up their seats involuntarily. Before bumping passengers, airlines must first ask for volunteers in exchange for compensation. When there aren't enough volunteers, bumping takes place.
New Approaches to Recycling Plastics
Plastics are an inseparable aspect of modern society. From packaging of household items to industry appliances, plastics are always depended on. Because of its versatility and cheap production cost, we have over-relied on it. Plastic production has grown over 20-fold in the past 50 years. It is expected to grow even more in the years to come. The problem isn't the production, but how plastics are handled after usage. Landfills are rapidly being filled up and oceans are becoming polluted as well. On average, only 9% of all plastic wastes are recycled. However, countries and companies around the world are trying to come up with new solutions.
Comic Books' Impact on the Global Economy and the Movie Industry
Stan Lee, an exceptional individual who helped to create remarkable characters like Iron Man, Thor, the Hulk, and the X-Men, passed away last week at the age of 95. He was a comic book writer and more importantly, revolutionized the comic book industry. In his stories, the superheroes are more relatable. They go through hardships that normal people experiences, that the readers experiences. For example, he created a new superteam, The Fantastic Four, that broke the tradition of flawless, impeccable superheroes. He targeted his audiences well, and as a result, helped Marvel in becoming an important pillar in Hollywood.
New Technologies are Revolutionizing the Food Industry
The food industry has always been slow to changes. But with new technologies on the rise and more customer demands, this stubborn industry is slowly adapting. Below are some new breakthroughs in technology that are affecting what we eat and how our food is made.
How Food Delivery Apps and Services are Transforming Society
Publish Date: 10/30/2018 12:21:16 PM
In today's fast-paced society, people are constantly on-the-go. As a result, more people are choosing the alternative form of dining, food delivered straight to their doorsteps. It dramatically lessens meal-prepping time without sacrificing food quality. Imagine having the option of anything within your city delivered to you within thirty minutes, who would turn that down? More apps are surfacing in order to meet the demand for better and faster food delivery services.
Tourism Dependency of Island and Developing Countries
Regardless of the country's size or geographical location, tourism has always contributed to its economic growth and GDP. Governments tend to invest heavily because it brings in profit while increasing the country's reputation. Especially for developing and island countries, tourism dependency is common because other industries, such as manufacturing, may be less developed due to area, resource, or population limitations.
Natural Disasters' Effect on the Global Economy
Natural disasters have always been detrimental to society. They disturb peoples' lives, destroys infrastructure, and the aftermath can last up to several months. All of these factors affect the global economy in its own way. From 2000-2017 alone, there was an estimate of about $3 trillion economic loss from natural disasters worldwide. Since this number only represents the measurable losses, the actual amount goes way beyond this number.
The Cost of Air Traveling is Expected to Increase
Publish Date: 9/20/2018 9:38:32 AM
The aviation industry has advanced society in numerous ways despite its relatively short existence. Being the fastest and most convenient form of transportation for long-distance travels, people from all over the world fly daily for education, leisure, and business. In fact, airlines have reported a total of 4.1 billion passengers in 2017 alone. One downside of the industry is its price instability. The major determining factor is the cost of fuel, and as we all know, fuel prices are extremely volatile. The International Air Transport Association, an association composed of 290 member airlines, announced at its recent meeting that the profit forecast for 2018 is going to decrease by 12% due to the unexpected increase in fuel prices. According to the Jet Fuel Price Monitor, fuel prices have already increased by 24.97% compared to last year.
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