We all feel the effects. The economies of entire communities are undermined. Local governments cut jobs and local services decline. That the rich get richer and the poor get poorer is an old song. In the 1990s, the international economy places American companies in competition with aggressive Japanese firms.
Intense competition makes companies' production cycles shorter than ever.
Missteps by corporate CEOs have deadly consequences in today's competitive market. Showing workers the door is one quick fix for many corporations that feel no responsibility toward their employees. Years ago, companies could afford to be responsible. Mass. When the mill burned down in December 1995, owner Aaron Feuerstein kept the workers on the payroll for weeks, until the plant was rebuilt. He can afford to take such an attitude because Malden Mills is a family business.