Barbie + Taiwan

Question 1

When + where were they first produced?

Answer 1

1959 by American toy comp Mattel in Japan

Question 2

When + why did the comp move its main company to Taiwan?

Answer 2

Late 60s because the comp was wishing to lower its labour costs

Question 3

What was it seen as?

Answer 3

The ‘trailblazer’ for outsourcing of production by TNCs to make eastern Asia the workshop of the world

Question 4

At its height how much did the Taiwan factory make?

Answer 4

Over half of barbie dolls made

Question 5

What happened 20 year after moving to Taiwan?

Answer 5

↑ incomes in Taiwan led to Mattel to look again for a cheaper labour outsource

Question 6

1987

Answer 6

Mattel opened its first factory in China. Where wages were lower + gradually production was moved there

Question 7

Today

Answer 7

Mattel still makes Barbie dolls in two Chinese factories but also has production centres in Malaysia + Indonesia (lower wage economy

Question 8

What do TNC’s do?

Answer 8

Move around for cheap labour = maximise profits

Question 9

Describe Taiwan’s economy now?

Answer 9

Benefitted further from globalisation

Now home to many companies responsible for most of worlds laptops and phones e.g. BenQ

But concerned these industries will move to China

Taiwan’s rulers seem confident their rep for reliability will allow them to remain in ascendancy in these industries for future