Question 1

How are "gold farms" different from traditional sweatshops?

Accepted Answer

Gold farms and sweatshops are similar in that they both rely on exploiting workers for their labor. However, the difference is that gold farms focus on the production of virtual goods, like in-game currency or items, while sweatshops produce physical goods. Gold farms may not pay much better wages, but the work is more entertaining and less physically grueling than that of a traditional sweatshop. Additionally, gold farms may not meet minimum working standards for health and safety as they are often based in developing countries with lax regulations.

Question 2

Which of the following is a category of contingent work?

Accepted Answer

Independent contractors are a category of contingent work, as they are not permanent employees but are hired on a temporary basis to complete specific tasks or projects.

Question 3

Think about the process by which athletic shoes are made. Which part of the global commodity chain for these shoes would you be most surprised to find in Indonesia?

Accepted Answer

Indonesia is known for its manufacturing capabilities, particularly in textiles and footwear, making it less surprising to find shoe assembly factories (C), rubber tree forests (B), and shipping facilities (E) there. Cotton farming (D) is also possible in Indonesia's climate. However, major global advertising firms are often located in countries with large media and marketing industries, such as the United States or the United Kingdom, making it more surprising to find such a firm in Indonesia.

Question 4

Essentially, all mp3 players, including the iPod, are made overseas. One estimate found that it would cost 23 percent more to buy an iPod manufactured under working conditions that would be legal in the United States. What might a store call an iPod that was made under U.S. working conditions?

Accepted Answer

A store might call an iPod made under U.S. working conditions a sweatshop-free iPod, as sweatshop labor is typically associated with poor working conditions and low pay in overseas production facilities.

Question 5

What are networks of corporations, manufacturers, distributors, and consumer outlets that create products called?

Accepted Answer

The term "commodity chains" is used to describe the networks of corporations, manufacturers, distributors, and consumer outlets that work together to create products.

Question 6

Thanksgiving is one of the busiest days of the year for many soup kitchens and other groups that provide food to the homeless and the poor. It's also one of the biggest days of the year for volunteers, as many more people decide to donate their time and efforts, making them, even if just for the day, part of the:

Accepted Answer

The Third Sector, also known as the nonprofit sector, is made up of organizations and groups that are focused on social and environmental issues, and are not driven by profit. Soup kitchens and other groups that provide food to the homeless and the poor fall under the Third Sector, and many volunteers on Thanksgiving choose to donate their time and efforts to these organizations, making them a part of this sector for the day.

Question 7

What term is used for the group of nonprofit organizations that are designed to run as cost effectively as possible and to direct any earnings back into the causes they support?

Accepted Answer

The term "the Third Sector" refers to the group of nonprofit organizations that are designed to run as cost effectively as possible and to direct any earnings back into the causes they support. This sector includes organizations such as charities, foundations, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

Question 8

In 1995 the Philippines passed the Special Economic Zone Act, which established certain areas where corporations could set up factories, import raw materials without paying duties or tariffs, and in some cases avoid paying taxes for a number of years. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

The Special Economic Zone Act in the Philippines is an example of the race to the bottom, where countries compete with each other to offer the most favorable conditions for corporations to set up operations in their countries. This can lead to a situation where labor and environmental standards are lowered to attract investment.

Question 9

The Industrial Revolution changed not only working conditions, but also many other elements of daily life.

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution had a significant impact on various aspects of daily life, including transportation, communication, and social structures, as well as working conditions.

Question 10

The rise of the industrial economy decreased levels of stratification by class, race, and gender.

Accepted Answer

The rise of the industrial economy actually increased levels of stratification by class, race, and gender. Wealth and power became concentrated in the hands of industrialists and the capitalist class, while workers and people of color often experienced exploitation and discrimination. Women were also restricted to certain types of low-paying jobs and faced significant barriers to equality.

Question 11

What is a sweatshop?

Accepted Answer

A sweatshop is a workplace with poor working conditions, below-standard wages, and long hours. This definition most accurately describes a sweatshop, as opposed to the other answer choices, which do not encompass all aspects of what a sweatshop entails.

Question 12

The Industrial Revolution is the most recent of the historical and technological changes that have led to new working conditions.

Accepted Answer

The Industrial Revolution, which began in the late 18th century, is not the most recent historical and technological change. Since then, there have been several other significant periods of technological advancement and changes in working conditions, such as the Digital Revolution in the late 20th century.

Question 13

Which of the following would be an example of a contingent worker?

Accepted Answer

A contingent worker is someone who is not a permanent employee and may work on a project or contract basis. A stripper who is considered an independent contractor is an example of a contingent worker as they do not have a permanent employment arrangement with the establishment they work for. The other options do not fit the definition of a contingent worker.

Question 14

According to the U.S. General Accounting Office, an employer that violates more than one federal or state labor law concerning wages, overtime, child labor, safety and health, or industrial regulation is classified as:

Accepted Answer

The term "sweatshop" refers to a workplace that violates multiple labor laws and regulations, such as those related to wages, overtime, child labor, safety, and health. This can include long hours, low pay, hazardous working conditions, and other abuses of workers' rights. The term is often associated with industries such as textiles, apparel, electronics, and manufacturing, where production is outsourced to countries with lower labor standards.

Question 15

In 2009 the British government announced that it was cutting costs by transferring more than 100 jobs involving finance and information technology to India. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of outsourcing, where a company or government transfers jobs or services to a third-party in another country with the aim of reducing costs.

Question 16

When someone first takes a job as an aesthetician, they have to learn how to use wax to remove unwanted body hair from customers. In addition to having to master certain skills to do this well, new employees also have to learn from their co-workers how to talk to customers about parts of the body that are usually very private, an example of:

Accepted Answer

Professional socialization refers to the process of learning the norms, values, and expectations of a particular profession. In this case, new aesthetician employees have to learn not only the technical skills of using wax, but also how to interact with customers regarding sensitive areas of the body. This process of learning from more experienced co-workers is an example of professional socialization.

Question 17

Chrysler was one of America's original automobile makers, established in Detroit in 1925. But from 1998 to 2007 it was part of the German-based company DaimlerChrysler, and in 2014 it merged with Fiat, an Italian automotive manufacturer, after going bankrupt in 2009. This example reminds us that most big companies today are:

Accepted Answer

The example of Chrysler shows that big companies today are often transnational, meaning they have operations in multiple countries and are not tied to a single national identity or location.

Question 18

According to the Department of Labor, in the year 2001, about how many sweatshops were there in the United States?

Accepted Answer

According to the Department of Labor's report in 2001, there were around 7,000 sweatshops in the United States. Option A is incorrect because there were sweatshops in the US in 2001. Option B is an exaggerated number, and Option D and E are too low to be accurate.

Question 19

What is the most likely reason anyone would want to buy virtual goods for an online computer game like World of Warcraft rather than gaining them by playing the game?

Accepted Answer

Buying virtual goods in games like World of Warcraft is often about reputation and status within the game's community, as it can signify a player's commitment, skill level, or dedication to the game.

Question 20

Why would a company outsource or contract out labor they might otherwise employ their own staff to perform?

Accepted Answer

One of the main reasons for a company to outsource or contract out labor is to reduce costs. It may be cheaper for a company to hire a third-party vendor or contractor instead of paying for full-time employees with benefits and other associated costs.

Quiz 11: The Economy, Work, and Working