Unit 1 Microeconomics - a firm exits an industry

When firms can no longer afford to supply at the market price, they may decide to exit the industry. As a result of the recent recession, price competition in the fast food market has been fierce. Now Harry Ramsden's closes its oldest and most iconic branch, which when it opened, was targeted at day trippers. These are no longer coming in large enough numbers, neither are locals using the branch as much as before. Here is the Link.

A2 Macroeconomics - factors limiting development

In this FT video, efforts to improve conditions in Kenya's largest slum are being discussed.

British banking (2): RBS's response

Following the Chancellor of the Exchequer's announcement that the retail operations of banks will be safeguarded from any risks that their investment operations might pose, the Chief Executive of the Royal Bank of Scotland outlines his view of how the two operations make sense together. Economics Unit 3 - economies of scale - are the main arguments.

Here is his argument.

British banking (1): separating retail from investment

Here's a clip featuring a speech by George Osborne. He announces plans to ringfence the retail operations - that's current accounts, mortgages, loans and savings - from the investment banking part of the business. If the investment "arm" becomes bankrupt, the retail arm will not therefore be affected because it will be ringfenced.

Here it is.

Marketing using facebook

Marketing the Mini, involving those who "like" in an actual campaign on an electronic billboard. Advantages and disadvantages? View it here.

Mass production of steel

Steel is in demand. This video shows how recyling of steel has become profitable. The industry is now so mature that it is becoming global, with high grade scrap a marketable product that is exported abroad. Here's the heavy duty video.

2 Macroeconomics - Banking business in Africa

Useful for Unit 4 (edexcel economics), this clip shows how recent economic growth in Africa has led to it being seen as a valuable market for banking business. Watch the video here.

Stakeholders

Stakeholders galore in this clip about Sonett, a soap making firm. See how many different interests are being addressed. There is also a management lesson here - how does this firm perform on Maslow's hierarchy of needs?

Watch the video.

Food waste

Between 30 and 40% of food that is grown is wasted, mainly because it goes off before it reaches the market. What is the effect of this on food prices? This clip explores some of the reasons why.

Access the link to see the video.

Demand for copper transforms Zambia's rural regions

Zambia's largest copper mine has brought prosperity to Solwesi, a rural region, where employment and both positive and negative externalities have sprung up. A classic case of a shift in the demand curve, leading to a movement along the supply curve - witness the 3-million-dollar truck. Productivity depends not only on technology, but also on having highly trained workers: Ring Catambe sends her children to high school, and those who seek work in the mine but lack the training cannot find work.

Video

Impact of the rise in the copper price on Zambians

Product Life Cycle, production methods: vinyl records

Here's a lovely story of a man who didn't dismantle his vinyl record pressing shop when CDs came in. He didn't need the space so kept all the machines, and now business is booming, with vinyls being pressed for specialist consumer markets and DJs.

Video

International Business - competition in Europe

Nokia, a Finnish company, closes plant in Germany to move to Romania with predictable economic consequences for both. The twist is that it's a German construction company that built the site in Romania, having competed against its Finnish and Romanian rivals ...Nokia invested in 2008, havingbeen promised infrastructure to support its operations.



Three years later, in 2011, Nokia has decided to pull out of Romania. Its main markets are in India and China, so producing in Europe does not make economic sense. Here is the video showing the consequences for the region.
Video.

A2 Macroeconomics - Foreign direct investment - Global car manufacturing industry - VW in Mexico

This 5-minute clip about VW in Mexico demonstrates a fair few concepts: JIT, globalisation, economies of scale and local production by suppliers. It also points out the controversies of an entire town being dependent on a single industry.

Video