My Four Countries: Philippines, Mexico, Japan, Afghanistan W

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My Four Country: Philippines, Mexico, Japan, Afghanistan Week 7: Homework Economic Activities For this homework activity, you will compare economic activities (as outlined below) for your four selected countries. You will also explore the production location of several personal clothing and electronics items. Compile all the elements for Part A and Part B into a single document (Save as a PDF file type), and submit via the "Week 7 HW Economic" assignment in Canvas.

Part A: Compare economic activities of your 4 countries

A1. Collecting Data on Economic Activities

For this activity, gather data on the economic activities of the Philippines, Mexico, Japan, and Afghanistan from credible sources such as the CIA World Factbook, World Bank Data, Google Public Data, and Fortune Global 500. Create a comprehensive table that includes the following data points for each country:

• Three sectors of the economy: Use either “GDP composition” or “labor force by occupation”. Specify which one you used.
• Exports: Total exports value, world ranking, primary export partners, and primary export commodities.
• Imports: Total imports value, world ranking, primary import partners, and primary import commodities.
• Trade in services (% of GDP): From World Bank Data.
• Service imports (% of total imports): From Google Public Data (World Bank Development Indicators).
• FDI inflows (% of GDP): From Google Public Data.
• International tourism receipts (% of total exports): From Google Public Data.
• Global 500 companies: List any Global 500 companies located within each country (or some of the largest ones).

A2. Comparative Analysis

After completing the data table, write a brief paragraph comparing the economic differences and similarities among the four countries. Focus on aspects such as the relative size of sectors, export/import structures, foreign direct investment, tourism, and presence of global companies. Highlight how these economic activities reflect each country's role in the global economy and any notable disparities or similarities.

Part B: The production location of personal clothing and electronics

B1. Clothing Items: Collect 10 different pieces of clothing (such as pants, shirts, shoes, hats). Examine the tags of each item and record:

• Type of clothing
• Brand name (if any)
• Country where it was made

B2. Electronic Devices: Select approximately 5 electronic devices (laptop, smartphone, tablet, TV, headphones) that you own or frequently use. Record for each:

• Type of device
• Brand name (if any)
• Country of production

B3. Analysis: Write a brief paragraph comparing the geographies of production of your clothing and electronic items. Discuss whether they come from similar or different regions of the world. Reflect on why production occurs where it does and the factors influencing these geographic patterns.

Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The globalization of economic activities has transformed the way countries participate in international trade, investment, and production. Understanding the economic structures and global manufacturing patterns of different countries provides insight into their roles in the world economy. In this paper, I compare the economic activities of the Philippines, Mexico, Japan, and Afghanistan, examining their dominant sectors, trade relationships, foreign direct investment inflows, tourism contributions, and presence within the Fortune Global 500. Additionally, I explore the geographic origins of clothing and electronic products I use daily, analyzing the global production networks that underpin consumer goods in the modern economy.

Part A: Comparative Economic Profile of Four Countries

Economic Sector Composition

The Philippines primarily relies on services, constituting approximately 55% of its GDP, with industry and agriculture making up about 30% and 15%, respectively. Mexico's economy is more diversified with a notable manufacturing sector, with services accounting for roughly 60%. Japan's economy is highly industrialized, with manufacturing and services each comprising substantial shares, approximately 30% each, while agriculture accounts for less than 2%. Afghanistan's economy remains predominantly agrarian, with agriculture representing about 40%, industry around 20%, and services making up roughly 40%, indicating a less developed economic structure.

Trade Activities and Global Positioning

In terms of exports, Japan ranks among the top in the world, with exports valued at over $700 billion annually, primarily exporting machinery, vehicles, and electronics, with China and the United States as major partners. Mexico's exports are valued at approximately $400 billion, mainly in manufactured goods, automobiles, and oil, with the US and Canada as chief partners. The Philippines exports include electronics, garments, and agricultural products, ranking around 15th globally, with the US and Japan as key partners. Afghanistan's exports are limited, mainly agricultural and mineral resources, with a lower global ranking.

Import data reveal similar patterns; Japan imports machinery and energy, while Mexico's imports heavily feature machinery and oil, and the Philippines imports refined petroleum and electronic components. Afghanistan's imports are primarily food and fuel, reflecting its developmental needs.

Further, trade in services, FDI inflows, and tourism contributions vary significantly. Japan attracts substantial FDI, about 2.5% of its GDP, driven by technological industries and automotive sectors. The Philippines benefits from international tourism, which accounts for roughly 12% of its exports, reflecting its popular tourist destinations. Mexico sees considerable FDI in manufacturing, especially in automotive and electronic assembly, whereas Afghanistan's FDI remains minimal due to political instability.

Global 500 Presence

Japan hosts multiple Fortune Global 500 companies, including Toyota, Mitsubishi, and Honda, highlighting its strong corporate presence. Mexico’s largest companies include América Móvil and Grupo Bimbo, while the Philippines’ notable companies include JG Summit and San Miguel Corporation. Afghanistan's corporate landscape features limited representation within the Global 500, emphasizing its developing economy status.

Analysis of Differences

Overall, Japan exemplifies a highly developed, industrialized economy with extensive global corporate presence and technological prowess. Mexico’s economy benefits from manufacturing and trade agreements with North America, positioning it as a manufacturing hub. The Philippines, with its large service sector, notably in tourism and OFW remittances, demonstrates the importance of global labor markets. Afghanistan's economy remains heavily reliant on agriculture and minimal FDI, reflecting ongoing conflicts and underdevelopment. These differences underscore how geography, resources, political stability, and historical development influence economies worldwide.

Part B: The Global Production of Personal Goods

Clothing Items

Among my ten clothing items, I found that the majority were produced in various countries across Asia. For example, a flannel shirt from Eddie Bauer was made in Sri Lanka, while a pair of Nike sneakers originated from Vietnam. Other items, such as a Zara dress, were produced in Bangladesh, and a pair of Levi's jeans in China. The geographic distribution includes Southeast Asia, South Asia, and East Asia, regions known for their apparel manufacturing industries due to lower labor costs and established supply chains. Brands like Adidas and Puma also manufacture in countries like Indonesia and Pakistan.

Electronic Devices

The electronic devices I examined reveal a concentration of manufacturing in East and Southeast Asia. My iPhone was assembled in China, a dominant hub for smartphone manufacturing, with components sourced globally. My laptop, a Dell, was assembled in China or Malaysia, depending on the model. Headphones from Bose were assembled in Malaysia, while a Samsung tablet was produced in Vietnam. The regional pattern indicates that East and Southeast Asia host most advanced electronics manufacturing due to established infrastructure, skilled labor, and vertically integrated supply chains.

Comparison and Reflection

The production origins of my clothing and electronic items predominantly come from Asia, particularly East and Southeast Asia, highlighting the region's central role in global manufacturing due to cost advantages and supply chain efficiencies. Clothing production tends to be in countries with large textile industries—Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and China—due to their well-established garment sectors. In electronics, China, Vietnam, and Malaysia dominate assembly and manufacturing, leveraging infrastructure, skilled labor, and technological capabilities. The spatial pattern aligns with global economic theories emphasizing comparative advantage and global value chains, which facilitate cost-effective production and distribution. The reliance on Asian manufacturing regions underscores ongoing issues related to labor practices, environmental impact, and supply chain vulnerabilities, especially amid recent global disruptions such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

Conclusion

This analysis demonstrates how contemporary economies are interconnected through intricate supply chains and trade relationships. Countries like Japan and South Korea lead in technological and industrial outputs, while developing nations offer cost-efficient manufacturing hubs. Consumers worldwide, including myself, benefit from these complex networks that supply everyday goods. Recognizing the geographic origins of such items deepens understanding of global economic interdependence and highlights the importance of sustainable and ethical production practices.

References

• United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). (2022). World Investment Report 2022. https://unctad.org/webflyer/world-investment-report-2022
• Central Intelligence Agency. (2023). The World Factbook. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/
• The World Bank. (2023). World Development Indicators. https://data.worldbank.org/
• Fortune Media. (2023). Fortune Global 500. https://fortune.com/global500/
• Statista. (2023). Top Exporting Countries in the World. https://www.statista.com/
• Rivoli, P. (2005). The Travels of a T-Shirt in the Global Economy. Wiley Publishers.
• Goldstein, A., & Pevehouse, J. (2020). International Relations. Pearson.
• Gereffi, G., & Fernandez-Stark, K. (2016). Global Value Chain Analysis: A Primer. Center on Globalization, Governance &Competitiveness.
• World Economic Forum. (2023). The Future of Manufacturing. https://www.weforum.org/
• International Labour Organization. (2021). World Labour Report. https://www.ilo.org/