Peer Review

Prendismo Collection - Global Cost Drivers and Economies of Scale

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Overview:: This is a short online video clip identifying costs that are driving global trade and factors that enhance economies of scale in the global market. Both costs and economies of scale are concepts of microeconomics, and this video could be included in a class discussion or online discussion forum as part of the application of both concepts.
Type of Material:: Online Video Clip [about 5 min]
Recommended Uses:: - This can help the instructor to use this video to spur discussions in-class or online about the applications of microeconomics concepts. - This is good for briefings on basic definitions and principles. - The resource is short on theory -"what works."
Technical Requirements:: Browsers: Internet Explorer or Firefox, Flash
Identify Major Learning Goals:: - The student will be able to solidify his/her understanding of microeconomic concepts on costs and economies of scale. - The student will become familiar with the basics of multi-SBU strategic principles.
Target Student Population:: • Beginner/Introductory/Survey Economics, Introduction to Microeconomics, Principles of Microeconomics, and/or Business Students • Non-economics or Non-business students taking an Economics and/or Business course as a minor
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:: None

Rating:
Strengths:: - The main strength of this online video clip is its length of about 5 minutes focusing directly on the application of microeconomic concepts of costs and economies of scale, and informed by scholarship. - Content is strong for defining terms of art in the study and understanding of globalization. - Good description of cost-drivers and their effects.
Concerns:: - There is a cost attached to viewing the online video clips at this website. Thus, based on the given budget, maybe only the instructor can show in-class, while students may not be able to access it from outside the classroom or class time to review later. - Not much theory in that the pieces are typically all highly descriptive, rather than inferentially-oriented. - Everything is anecdotal (case) but the case is described in some depth. - Little discussion of what does not work, only how great the firm did in globalizing itself. - The generality of the lessons may also be lessened because this is a US firm, and the industries are pretty close to unrelated--there is no mention of synergies from relatedness of SBUs.

Rating:
Strengths:: - Listing the major costs and economies of scale factors upfront in the online video makes it very clear the relationships/connections between both concepts. - Descriptive material teaches terms of art in the study of globalization.
Concerns:: - Students with no prior knowledge about the microeconomics concepts discussed in the video may not understand the context of application. - No point of view--this is pure shareholder-orientation material--somewhat dated in that way. Not much help for others in different industries. - Limited generality. - Good stories.

Rating:
Strengths:: - Excluding the cost-factor, the online video clip is easy to use and is engaging as its equivalent to having a guest speaker in-class. - Very easy to watch the material.
Concerns:: - Lack of study questions (I could not find any). - There is a cost attached to viewing the online video clips at this website.

Other Issues and Comments:: Just a pile of "raw"-ish videos without a lot of context. Good lengths, but a need for (sa) updating, and (b) some structure other than the title sequence of each video in order.
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