http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ A search of MERLOT materials Copyright 1997-2013 MERLOT. All rights reserved. Tue, 21 May 2013 10:05:41 PDT Tue, 21 May 2013 10:05:41 PDT http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/images/merlot.gif http://www.merlot.org:80/merlot/ 44 34 http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=84892 Excellent article on how to communicate effectively in a cross cultural setting. Discusses common obstacles and gives tips on how to over come these obstacles. A great read reference for anybody interested in cross-cultural communication. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=248810 "A Chartbook of International Labor Comparisons" is a reference and research material provided by the Department of Labor.  It contains indepth descriptions of global comparisons in many different categories, including gross domestic product per capita, size of the labor force, labor force participation rate by sex, average annual growth rates for employment, unemployment rates, and educational attainment of the adult population.  It also contains a host of economic indicators, including a section that describes economic indicators for large emerging economies. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=76051 A site from an organisation with the goal of providing the European Union with a high-quality statistical information service. Provided in 3 languages, this comprehensive site covers a vast range of information including: general statistics, economy & finance, population & social conditions, industry, trade & services, agriculture & fisheries, external trade, transport, environment & energy, and research & development. Has details of tailored information services which can be purchased, together with an up-to-date 'EuroStat' news section. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=77361 The authoritative Guide to the Global Environment from World Resources Institute. Basic demographic and economic variables, in addition to environmental statistics are included in the database for 157 countries. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=247155 This website is a comprehensive resource for individuals who wish to learn more about child labor, human trafficking, forced labor, and sexual slavery.  These topics can be pictorially searched either by region or by country.  Several videos are provided that give a first hand account of the atrocities associated with human trafficking activity.  http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=84865 Excellent article on how the importance of "Strategic Human Resource Management" in a global business environment. Focus is primarily on effectively managing people in multi-national and transnational firms. Very easy read. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=84838 This site basically gives the readers some ideas about why and how the important the diversity is. It provides some examples and practices to help the readers gain fundamenatal knowledge the reader should know to handle diversity. This is a direct link to the Diversity podcast. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=81858 This site contains information on six specific issues regarding globalization. For each of the issues there are a number of additional links to get more information. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=76822 This site refutes some of the common "urban legends" that are discussed in International classes. For example, many Marketing texts discuss the naming of the Chevrolet Nova, which sold poorly in Spanish-speaking countries because its name translates as "doesn't go" in Spanish. According to this website, that is false. There is additional explanation provided as well as links to articles about the "legend." At the current time, only 6 are discussed, but more may be added. http://www.merlot.org/merlot/viewMaterial.htm?id=84638 This rich site by the Center for Strategic and International explores some of the especially sensitive and subtle issues pertaining to the globalization debate. Topics include Cultural Impacts of Globalization, Cultural and Trade Disputes, and Cultural Challenges. Readers are urged to think of cultural issues pertaining to globalization in terms of conflicting values, and decide for themselves what aspects of globalization may be positive, negative or truly indifferent to cultures around the world.