Introduction |
Purpose |
Goals of the Simulation |
Process |
Scoring Sheet |
Sources Consulted |
Rationale |
The Parking Garage Simulation is an exercise designed to illustrate the complexity of identifying an automobile with the manufacturer. Today's car is truly a global product developed from economic interdependencies. The exercise allows for testing what we know and provides a forum for learning.
The purpose of this simulation is to raise levels of consciousness to the difficulty in identifying the true manufacturer of today's automobile. The simulation provides an opportunity for one to test his/her skill and knowledge as they relate to automobiles and their manufacturer.
As the Parking Garage Manager, the participant has the responsibility of admitting only American made automobiles to the parking garage. Likewise, the participant's responsibility includes denial of parking privileges to all employees driving foreign-made automobiles.
Lastly, the simulation sets a stage for discussion of economic interdependency. The simulation illustrates the imperativeness of having sufficient knowledge before persons, groups, or organizations move toward trade barriers, tariffs or laws of protectionism.
1.) To understand the benefits of international competition in the context of the economic
2.) To explore the economic outcomes with international competition and tile strategy of win-lose.
3.) To explore unproductive anxiety, emotionality and ethnocentrism often associated with international competition.
4.) To explore the 75 % content rule in manufacturing within the U.S. auto industry.
25 - 30 persons
Approximately one hour
A copy of the simulation for each participant
Pen or pencil for each participant
One large class or meeting room capable of accommodating
5 or 6 work groups of 5 persons each.
2.) The facilitator leads a discussion on the strategy of dealing with conflict to include win-lose.
3.) The facilitator explains the U.S. Federal fuel rule and the 75 % content regulation.
4.) The facilitator divides the participants into five person groups and administers the simulation.
An Epilogue
The economic interdependencies are comprehensible when discussed outside the framework of human emotionalities. However, so often in the complexity of political intervention we find a curious set of feedbacks and circularities. For example, in Japan there are political leaders who delight in disparaging the American labor force. Then too, in the United States of America we have those political leaders who are shouting - "Buy American!" This creates an environment of win-lose, promoting a "we" versus "they" dynamic-- "we are right and they are wrong! We are good they are bad!" This type of rhetoric is diametrically opposed to what is essential in a global market economy. The need for cooperation and collaboration is imperative for successful trading partnerships. There is an urgent need to rethink the win-lose paradigm designed for management of athletic models and to develop modes of management paradigms that create environments which lead to win-win. It is so easy to get caught in this state of emotional madness and entrapped in a very seductive call for protectionism. With the European Common Market evolving ever so rapidly, living in a global market economy becomes even more of a reality. There are a number of reasons why countries cannot afford to legislate roadblocks that imperil international competition. The most prominent in this writer's mind is the reckless endangerment and destruction of the "comparative advantage" construct.
There is no question that the auto-industries are underpinnings to the industrialized West's economic development. Thus, when discussing automobiles in the United States it's becoming ignore difficult to find an "American" car. For example, the Plymouth Laser is a Mitsubishi Eclipse and vice versa. The Dodge Colt is also built by Mitsubishi. The Lotus is a General Motors Corporation product. The Ford Probe is really a Mazda MX-6 made by Mazda in Flat Rock, Michigan.
Failure to understand economic interdependency can be self destructive. The call for protectionism, isolationism, tariffs and trade barriers manifests itself in a number of ways. In the summer of 199 1, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, a transportation workers union with headquarters in Washington, D.C., forbade employees from driving foreign-made automobiles into the union's parking garage. However, the Brotherhood soon learned the screening of cars based only on "Trade Names" simply would not suffice.
The screening of cars is a complex process. One of the more prevalent reasons is the regulation attached to the federal fuel rules. This regulation requires foreign auto-manufacturers producing cars in the United States to use 75% of American produced parts. This content requirement creates a paradox because many of the foreign cars produced in the United States are more "American" in content than some of the products produced under the labels of the American manufacturers.
Your Decision (Please Check)
ADMIT DENY SCORE ADMIT DENY SCORE
Auto Seeking Entrance Parking Facility |
ADMIT | DENY | SCORE | ADMIT | DENY | SCORE |
1. Corolla | ||||||
2.Dodge Stealth | ||||||
3.Ford CrownVictoria | ||||||
4.Ford Escort | ||||||
5.Ford Festiva | ||||||
6.Geo Prism | ||||||
7.Honda (Accord) | ||||||
8.Mazda Navaho | ||||||
9.Mercury Grand Marquis | ||||||
10.Pontiac Lemans | ||||||
11.Range Rover | ||||||
12. Rolls Royce |
A.To score, place the number I by each correct answer and sum for the total.
Brown, Warren, " Camry: Apolitical Value," The Weekend Magazine,Washington, D.C. February 28,1992, p.54 |
Harari, Oren, "Cars, Customers & Competition: Lesson For American Managers," Manage-nent Review, February 1991, pp. 38-41. |
Milloy, Courtland, "Teamsters' Impossible Dream, " The Washington Post, Washington D. C. July 23, 199 1, p. B, 3. |
Rosten, Leo, "The Myths By Which We Live," The 20th National Conference on Higher Education, Opening Address, The Association for Higher Education, Chicago, 11., March 7, 1965. |
Rationale: | Correct Response:
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1. Corolla | 75% content, a Toyota built in Freemont, California, U.S. | Admit |
2. Dodge Stealth | Chrysler Corp. product. A super sports car. The Stealth is a Mitsubishi 3000 GTVRH, uses Mitsubishi Engine. | Deny |
3. Ford Crown Victoria | Ford Motor Company top of the line, produced in Canada. 27% of parts come from Germany, Spain, Mexico, and Japan. | Deny |
4. Ford Escort | Made by Mazda. | Deny |
5. Ford Festiva | Made by Kia of Korea. | Deny |
6. Geo Prizm | Produced by the New United Motor Company, Freemont, California, U.S.A. with the Corolla. | Admit |
7. Honda Accord | Manufactured and produced with 75% content in Marysville, Ohio, U.S.A. | Admit |
8. Mazada Navaho | Produced by Ford Motor Company, 75 % U.S. content. | Admit |
9. Mercury Grand Marquis | Produced with less than 75% U.S. content. | Deny |
10. Pontiac Lemans | Great American Name! Produced by Daewoo Motor
Company of South Korea.
|
Deny |
11. Range Rover | The engine of a G. M. C. design, but the car does not have 75 % U.S. content. | Deny |
12. Rolls Royce | The automatic transmission comes form G.M.C., but the car does not have 75% U.S. content. | Deny |