Offshoringthe transfer of an industrial activity abroadhas become a fact of life for business. But it is also perceived as a threat by a large segment of the general public. And much of the public ...concern centers on employment, especially the potential loss of domestic jobs. This groundbreaking report provides new insights into the phenomenon of offshoring. First, the report defines offshoring in detail, allowing readers to see the many ways that industrial activityboth in manufacturing and in servicescan be transferred abroad. The report then describes the wide-ranging effects that offshoring can have on domestic employmentthe positive, as well as the negative. Finally, this ground-breaking report outlines the public policy implications of offshoring. It suggests ways to limit the downside of offshoring while helping to build trust between the various stakeholders working to address this issue.
This article introduces the benefits and risks of accepting an international work assignment. The author reflects on his own 4-year overseas appointment and provides a summary literature review. ...Selected resources are outlined for exploring expatriate opportunities.
Network diasporas are but the latest bridge connecting developing economy insiders, with their risk-mitigating knowledge and connections, to outsiders in command of technical know-how and investment ...capital. This book examines the interaction of expatriate talent with institutions in expatriates' countries of origin in an attempt to make the potential of diasporas and their knowledge a reality. The question of how to trigger and sustain such a virtuous cycle is a central concern of this book. The focus is on the "how to" details of how to design effective diaspora networks and transform brain drain into brain gain.
As the application of user-centered design spreads across the globe, technology companies are facing new challenges in establishing usability teams in non-western countries. Managers must decide ...whether to staff their usability teams with local or foreign individuals, and this decision can be influenced by the availability of usability experts who are native to the country. China’s rapid economic growth has led to a strong demand for usability practitioners. Given the relatively small size of the usability community in China, there are unique opportunities for non-Chinese nationals. In this paper, I describe the initial experiences I faced as an American joining a usability team of Chinese nationals. I discuss my preparation and experience before arriving in China, as well as the adjustments I had had to make while conducting user-centered design in a culture that was very different from my own. I believe the sharing of my experiences in both work and non-work settings can offer helpful insights to other non-Chinese nationals interested in conducting usability work in China, as well as to managers who are considering adding non-local staff to their usability team.
Objectives The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (UA) and various factors of the metabolic syndrome based on insulin resistance in Japanese females ...working abroad. Design and Setting and Participants 695 Japanese adult females working abroad were divided to age-matched three groups according to serum UA; 284 subjects in the low levels group: L-group (UA<4.0 mg/dl), 302 subjects in the middle levels group: M-group (4.0 mg/dl≤UA<5.0 mg/dl) and 109 subjects in the high levels group: H-group (UA≥5.0 mg/ dl), respectively. Main Outcome Measures and Results The levels of systolic blood pressure (S-BP), diastolic (D-) BP, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FIRI) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the H were significantly higher than those in the L and the M; HOMA-IR: 1.27 (L: p<0.001), 1.39 (M: p<0.001), 1.54 (H), respectively. Furthermore, the levels of pancreas-β function (HOMA- β) and plasma total cholesterol (T-cholesterol), triglyceride (TG), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyl-transpeptidase (γ-GPT) in the L were significantly lower than those in the other groups. Serum UA levels were a significantly positive correlation with HOMA-IR, T-chol, TG, S-BP, D-BP, ALT, AST, ALT, γ-GPT, FPG, FIRI, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), weekly physical activity and weekly consumption of alcohol values in all subjects. Conclusion Serum UA was important precursor for the insulin resistance in adult females working abroad.
Objectives The aimm of the present study was to investigate the relationship between cardiovascular autonomic balance and various factors of the metabolic syndrome. Method and Results 2302 Japanese ...adults working abroad were divided to age-matched three groups according to resting heart rate (HR) ; 516 subjects in the bradycardia group: B (HR≤60.0/min.), 1529 subjects in the normal heart rate group: N (60.0/min.<HR<80.0/min.) and 257 subjects in the tachycardia group: T (HR≥80.0/min.), respectively. The levels of systolic blood pressure (S-BP), diastolic (D-BP), pulse pressure (PP), mean arterial pressure (MAP), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting plasma insulin (FIRI) and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in the T were significantly higher than those in the B and the N ; HOMA-IR: 1.42 ( B : p<0.0001), 1.69 ( N : p<0.01), 1.91 ( T ), respectively. Furthermore, the levels of pancreas-β function (HOMA-β) and plasma total cholesterol (T-chol), triglyceride (TG), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transferase (ALT) and γ-glutamyltranspeptidase (γ-GPT) in the B were significantly lower than those in the other. The levels of QRS axis were significantly higher in the B than those in the others. However, the levels of ratecorrected QT (QT c) were significantly higher in the T than those in the others. HR was a significantly positive correlation with HOMA-IR, T chol, TG, S-BP, D-BP, PP, MAP, ALT, AST, ALT, γ-GPT, FPG, FIRI and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) values in all subjects, and a significantly negative correlation with physical activities. Conclusion The HR was important precursor for the metabolic syndrome in healthy adults working abroad.
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