Ability Of Industry Research Articles

Social and cultural influences and their implications for sustainable tourism: A case study of Trinidad & Tobago's tourism and the growth of the LGBTQ traveler segment

Abstract Purpose: This study examined how social and cultural influences are affecting the government of Trinidad & Tobago's decision-making policies as it relates to the growth of the LGBTQ traveler tourism segment, which is currently threatening the sustainability and competitiveness of the country's tourism industry. This study also aimed to add to the literature on gay tourism in that nation and region as a whole. Research methodology: Data for this research were collected from various sources, including existing literature on the industry's competitiveness, followed by a review of official government surveys, reports and other media documents, and academic research literature. Results: The study's findings reveal that the leaders' lack of failure to understand the economic power of the LGBTQ traveler segment is short-sighted and has negative effects on the fragile nature of the industry's ability to compete globally, lack of long-term vision of the leaders. Limitations: This study relied on secondary data, limiting direct views from individuals in the local communities due to the country being on lockdown since March of 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Contribution: This study makes a few suggestions for further improvement, such as leaders in that nation deciphering existing buggery laws publicly, to show urgency and commitment to this vulnerable traveler segment; conducting robust discussions with various interest groups that are presenting barriers to changes that could result in a more robust industry, and finally, consider the use of images of members of the LGBTQ community in all marketing promotions.

Toward a circular economy: Understanding consumers' moral stance on corporations' and individuals' responsibilities in creating a circular fashion economy

AbstractFor long, the fashion industry has adopted the linear economy's “take‐make‐use‐throwaway” system, an approach that has adverse side effects, such as economic loss, environmental destruction, and threats to human society. To address these adverse consequences from fashion's linear system, governments and business leaders are advocating the societal need for a shift from the linear economy to the circular economy, which endorses the “take‐make‐use‐reuse” system. Despite the growing demand for changing to a circular economy in the fashion business (circular fashion [CF]), two critical issues remain understudied in the current literature. First, although academic research on CF has increased in the past 5 years, the lack of scalable CF research has hindered the industry's ability to increase its adoption of a truly circular economy. Second, although the fashion industry faces complex challenges in instituting CF in that just one supply chain member's (a fashion retailer's) commitment is not sufficient to create a truly CF without the involvement of others (consumers), there is yet no empirical research that investigates whether consumers morally support the idea of a CF and feel obliged to take part in fashion businesses' CF offerings. Thus, we investigate whether and how morally grounded traits—corporate moral responsibility (H1+), consumer moral responsibility (H2+), their interaction effect (H3), and corporate hypocrisy (H4−)—influence consumers' attitudes and engagement (H5+) toward fashion corporations' CF offerings. Our empirical evidence, using a U.S. consumer survey dataset of 351 responses, shows that all of these hypotheses are supported. The results provide important theoretical and managerial implications.

Pharmacy in Latvia during the occupation regime of Nazi Germany (1941-1945).

The study covers the period of World War II after shift of occupational powers in Latvia when Soviet occupation was replaced by the occupation regime of Nazi Germany in the summer of 1941 and retained until first half of 1945. Due to this shift gradually Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia and Belarus were merged into a single administrative area and designated as "Ostland". Soviet officials left the pharmaceutical industry, which they had tried to apply to the communist ideology from June 1940 to June 1941 creating confusion and chaos. The renewed Pharmacy Board of Latvia had to deal with the restoration of supervision and a partial return from the communist to the capitalist regime. The research provides an insight to adaptation and development of the pharmaceutical industry in Latvia during Nazi Germany occupation regime, highlighting as essential indicators the administrative operation of Pharmacy Board of Latvia and its cooperation with German authorities, the availability of medicines, process of reprivatisation of pharmacies and changes in the number of pharmaceutical employees. The research issue raised is topical, since it is this period that reflects the industry's ability to adapt and perform work in fundamentally different and severe circumstances, which include both resource deficits and the transition from one regime to another. The collected evidence shows the efforts to stabilize the pharmaceutical industry in many terms. One example was the attemptions to ensure the rational dispensing of medical products to the pharmacies and hospitals, with the greatest degree of austerity, because the supply and consumption of medication was extremely complex issue throughout the war.

Profitability of Large Pharmaceutical Companies Compared With Other Large Public Companies

(Abstracted from JAMA 2020;323(9):834–843) Virtually all of the US Food and Drug Administration–approved medications in the United States were developed by for-profit companies, thus demonstrating the importance of these corporations in providing medicine to the public. Understanding both drug costs and company profits is vital to creating evidence-based policies that balance the cost of medicine with the industry's ability to innovate.

The Earnings and Employment of Community Colleges’ Graduates: Occupational Field and Gender Analysis

Community College Malaysia is one of the Technical Education and Vocational Training Institutions in the country that plays an important role in steering the country's aspirations to become a developed nation by 2020. It focuses mainly on the supply of human capital among the youth future worker fit with skills, competencies and efficient industry requirements. However, the income earned varies widely based on the industry's ability to provide employment. The income factors led to an increase or decrease in the number of graduates' employability. There are more than ten categories of programs offered by community colleges and the numbers of employability relating to the demand from industries providing job opportunities to skilled workers. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a descriptive analysis of the earnings and employment of Community Colleges graduates based on occupational field and gender. The data were obtained by the survey of Community Colleges graduates in 2018. The study population consisted of 7725 graduates and 367 respondents were involved as samples who answered their respective job status in graduate's employability survey provided by the ministry. The result shows that most respondents received a salary between RM1501-RM2000, while the rest of the graduates earned between RM1001-RM1500 and RM1001-RM1500. In the gender factor of employment, female graduates exceed compared to male graduates on the income scale of RM1000 and below. However, at higher income levels of RM1501-2000 and above, male graduates earn more than their counterparts, the female graduates. The findings of this study are expected to be a future guide and encouragement, especially for community colleges to study skill programs that are in line with industry requirements and produce a competent and dynamic human capital to enhance the country's economy.

Profitability of Large Pharmaceutical Companies Compared With Other Large Public Companies

Understanding the profitability of pharmaceutical companies is essential to formulating evidence-based policies to reduce drug costs while maintaining the industry's ability to innovate and provide essential medicines. To compare the profitability of large pharmaceutical companies with other large companies. This cross-sectional study compared the annual profits of 35 large pharmaceutical companies with 357 companies in the S&P 500 Index from 2000 to 2018 using information from annual financial reports. A statistically significant differential profit margin favoring pharmaceutical companies was evidence of greater profitability. Large pharmaceutical vs nonpharmaceutical companies. The main outcomes were revenue and 3 measures of annual profit: gross profit (revenue minus the cost of goods sold); earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA; pretax profit from core business activities); and net income, also referred to as earnings (difference between all revenues and expenses). Profit measures are described as cumulative for all companies from 2000 to 2018 or annual profit as a fraction of revenue (margin). From 2000 to 2018, 35 large pharmaceutical companies reported cumulative revenue of $11.5 trillion, gross profit of $8.6 trillion, EBITDA of $3.7 trillion, and net income of $1.9 trillion, while 357 S&P 500 companies reported cumulative revenue of $130.5 trillion, gross profit of $42.1 trillion, EBITDA of $22.8 trillion, and net income of $9.4 trillion. In bivariable regression models, the median annual profit margins of pharmaceutical companies were significantly greater than those of S&P 500 companies (gross profit margin: 76.5% vs 37.4%; difference, 39.1% [95% CI, 32.5%-45.7%]; P < .001; EBITDA margin: 29.4% vs 19%; difference, 10.4% [95% CI, 7.1%-13.7%]; P < .001; net income margin: 13.8% vs 7.7%; difference, 6.1% [95% CI, 2.5%-9.7%]; P < .001). The differences were smaller in regression models controlling for company size and year and when considering only companies reporting research and development expense (gross profit margin: difference, 30.5% [95% CI, 20.9%-40.1%]; P < .001; EBITDA margin: difference, 9.2% [95% CI, 5.2%-13.2%]; P < .001; net income margin: difference, 3.6% [95% CI, 0.011%-7.2%]; P = .05). From 2000 to 2018, the profitability of large pharmaceutical companies was significantly greater than other large, public companies, but the difference was less pronounced when considering company size, year, or research and development expense. Data on the profitability of large pharmaceutical companies may be relevant to formulating evidence-based policies to make medicines more affordable.

Introduction of standardised tobacco packaging and minimum excise tax on in the UK: a prospective study

BackgroundStandardised packaging for factory made and roll your own tobacco was implemented in the UK in May, 2017, alongside a minimum excise tax for factory made products. As other jurisdictions attempt to implement standardised packaging, the tobacco industry continues to suggest that it would be counterproductive, in part by leading to falls in price due to commoditisation. Here, we assess the impact of the introduction of these policies on the UK tobacco market. MethodsWe did a prospective study of UK commercial electronic point-of-sale data from 11 constituent geographic areas. The main outcomes were changes in sales volumes, volume-weighted real prices, and tobacco industry revenue. These were assessed using trend estimation from generalised additive mixed models. Products distributed to less than 10% of stores were excluded for sample design reasons; nevertheless, the analysis included an estimated 91% of the UK tobacco market products. The study did not require ethical approval. Findings107 572 monthly observations of products from May, 2015, to April,2018were included in the analysis. Introduction of standardised packaging and a minimum excise tax was associated with a doubling of the rate of sales decline. The most marked change in sales volumes was among the cheapest factory-made brands, where substantial sales growth stopped and prices rose markedly (prices increased by 0·035 p for the cheapest factory-made brands compared with 0·016 p across all factory-made brands and a 0·004 p increase across all products from May, 2015, to April, 2018). There was no evidence of commoditisation as market segmentation (price differentiation and different price trajectories for premium and lower priced products) continued. Company monthly net revenues declined from GBP £231 million (95% CI £222 million to £240 million) in May, 2015, to £192 million (£182 million to £201 million) in April, 2018. InterpretationThe concurrently introduced policies of standardised packaging and minimum excise tax were associated with declining tobacco sales and tobacco industry revenue, which might underpin the tobacco industry's opposition to the policies. Prices at the end of the period were higher than the at the start, implying no long-term price falls. A minimum excise tax might limit the tobacco industry's ability to keep low-priced tobacco, which is popular with young and disadvantaged smokers, available. The complementary introduction of standardised packaging and the minimum excise tax meant effects could not be distinguished statistically. FundingCancer Research UK and British Heart Foundation (grant number C27260/A23168).

The art we wear

AbstractSince humans began wearing clothes, we have used them to portray characteristics about ourselves including ethnic origin, tribes, wealth, status, and religion. This paper discusses the intellectual property protection available for clothing designs in the United States, Europe, India, and China. It begins by discussing the history of fashion and fashion designing across the world during different eras. Next, the paper explains the early methods used to protect fashion designs as originators struggled to protect their creations in regimes that had not yet implemented sui generis protection for fashion designs. Some regimes, notably the United States, still do not offer sui generis protection for fashion designs and have greatly limited the industry's ability to self‐regulate against copying. The paper also discusses and compares the current regime of fashion design protection in the United States, European Union, India, and China, including their strengths and deficiencies. Finally, the paper suggests a solution to the lack of protection in the United States that would treat fashion design piracy similarly to the treatment of counterfeit goods.

The march of climate policy

The march of climate policy

Achieving energy efficiency with medium voltage variable speed drives for ventilation-on-demand in South African mines

The sustainability of the mining industry is contingent on the industry's ability to improve upon the status quo of operational efficiency. The advancement of energy efficient technologies coupled with modern strategies have resulted in large industrial energy efficiency improvements, lowering emissions and wastage. Mine ventilation fans in South Africa were identified as large energy consumers with potential for efficiency improvements, with the installation of medium voltage variable speed drive technologies. An extensive energy audit was conducted on ten mine ventilation networks to calculate the feasibility inter alia cost savings, energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions under varying airflow conditions. Two ventilation-on-demand applications were considered namely, constant speed reduction- and dynamic applications. The financial indicators revealed it is economically viable for the implementation of medium voltage variable speed drives as part of the ventilation-on-demand applications. The energy audit revealed that a total annual electrical energy saving of 179 421 MWh could be achieved with the implementation of the ventilation-on-demand applications. The resulting cost saving is estimated at US$11.57-million with an average payback period of 9 months. The average greenhouse gas emission reduction is calculated as 53% per annum. The feasibility of installing medium voltage variable speed drives on South African mine ventilation fans as part of ventilation-on-demand applications to improve efficiency and lower emissions was proven. The results emphasise the importance of such audits to illustrate the underutilised resources available to increase mine sustainability and subsequently profitability.

Regulatory costs on U.S. salmonid farms

The economic effects of the implementation of regulations on aquaculture farms in the United States, while of concern, are not well understood. A national survey was conducted of salmonid (trout and salmon) farms in 17 states of the United States to measure on‐farm regulatory costs and to identify which regulations were the most costly to this industry segment. The response rate was 63%, with a coverage rate of 94.5% of the U.S. production of salmonids. The regulatory system resulted in increased national on‐farm costs of $16.1 million/year, lost markets with a sales value of $7.1 million/year, lost production of $5.3 million/year, and thwarted expansion attempts estimated at $40.1 million/year. Mean farm regulatory costs were $150,506/farm annually, or $2.71/kg; lost markets with annual sales values of $66,274/farm; annual lost production of $49,064/farm; and an annual value of thwarted expansion attempts estimated at $375,459/farm. Smaller‐scale farms were affected to a disproportionately greater negative extent than larger‐scale farms. Per‐farm regulatory costs were, on average, greater for foodfish producers than for producers selling to recreational markets, but per‐kg regulatory costs were greater for those selling to recreational compared to foodfish markets. Regulatory costs constituted 12% of total production and marketing costs on U.S. salmonid farms. The greatest regulatory costs were found to be effluent discharge regulations. The majority of regulatory costs were fixed costs, but regulatory barriers to expansion precluded compensatory adjustments to the business in spite of growing demand for salmonid products. Results of this study show that the on‐farm regulatory cost burden is substantial and has negatively affected the U.S. salmonid industry's ability to respond to strong demand for U.S. farm‐raised salmonid products. Results also suggest that the regulatory system has contributed to the decline in the number of U.S. salmonid farms. While regulations will necessarily have some degree of cost to farms, the magnitude of the on‐farm regulatory cost burden on U.S. salmonid farms calls for concerted efforts to identify and implement innovative regulatory monitoring and compliance frameworks that reduce the on‐farm regulatory cost burden.

Effects of different blowing agents on physical properties of extruded puffed snacks made from yellow pea and red lentil flours

AbstractPulse flours are nutritionally dense ingredients that can increase protein and fiber contents of extruded foods to create healthier snacks. However, extruding with such ingredients can deteriorate desirable physical properties such as expansion. The use of physical blowing agents (e.g., gases) can counter this. In this study, N2 and CO2 gases were used to investigate the impact of blowing agents on physical properties of red lentil and yellow pea extrudates. Microscopy imaging of extrudate cross‐sections showed increased number of cells brought about by gas injection. Some textural parameters, such as crunchiness, were positively affected by gas use regardless of pulse type, whereas others, such as bowl life, were a function of both pulse and gas type. The greatest changes in overall extrudate color and lightness were observed for red lentil with N2 gas injection. The use of physical blowing agents during food extrusion presents great potential in manipulating extrudate expansion, microstructure, texture, and color, with N2 gas well suited for red lentil extrudates in dry form and CO2 gas well suited for yellow pea extrudates in wet form.Practical applicationsPhysical blowing agent‐assisted extrusion is a novel technology for the food industry's ability to control aerated food structure and texture. As such, the concentration and solubility of blowing agents may be manipulated to enhance the physical properties of high protein‐ and high fiber‐aerated foods, including ready‐to‐eat snacks, breakfast cereals, and gluten‐free products. The use of physical blowing agent‐assisted extrusion has tremendous potential for the development of nutritionally dense, plant‐based aerated foods with consumer appeal. The results obtained are useful for the food industry because incorporation of such food products into our daily diets, through processing them using innovative technologies, not only adds value to plants (e.g., pulses and cereals) but also has potential health, economic, and ecological benefits for the society.

Beyond Cost-Benefit Analysis in the Governance of Synthetic Biology.

For many innovations, oversight fits nicely within existing governance mechanisms; nevertheless, others pose unique public health, environmental, and ethical challenges. Synthetic artemisinin, for example, has many precursors in laboratory-developed drugs that emulate natural forms of the same drug. The policy challenges posed by synthetic artemisinin do not differ significantly in kind from other laboratory-formulated drugs. Synthetic biofuels and gene drives, however, fit less clearly into existing governance structures. How many of the new categories of products require new forms of regulatory oversight, or at least extensive forms of testing, remains unclear. Any effort to improve the governance of synthetic biology should start with a rich understanding of the different possible science-policy interfaces that could help to inform governance. CBA falls into a subset of the overall range of possibilities, and which interface is appropriate may turn out to depend on context, on the demands of the decision at hand. In what follows, we lay out a typology of interfaces. After that, we turn to the question of how to draw upon the range of possible interfaces and effectively address the factual and moral complexities of emerging technologies. We propose a governance model built around structures that we call "governance coordinating committees." GCCs are intended to be mechanisms for accommodating the complexities of innovations that have far-ranging societal impacts. The production of biofuels, for example, could contaminate water supplies and have a destructive environmental impact if not managed correctly. The introduction of a gene drive could have economic and environmental impacts that are not restricted to one nation. Forging appropriate means for determining and evaluating those societal impacts, to the best of a corporation's, industry's, or government's ability, is central to responsible research and innovation. Public policy must be shaped in a manner that accommodates as many concerns as possible and minimizes risks.

Factors influencing residents' acceptance (support) of remediation technologies

An increasing diversity of technologies are being used to remediate contaminated sites, yet there remains little understanding of the level of acceptance that residents living near these sites hold for these technologies, and what factors influence their level of acceptance. This lack of understanding hinders the remediation industry's ability to effectively engage with these residents about remediation technology selection, at a time when such engagement is become part and parcel of remediation policy and practice. The study develops on wider research into public acceptance of technologies, using data from a telephone survey of 2009 residents living near thirteen contaminated sites across Australia. Within the survey acceptance is measured through residents' level of support for the application of remediation technologies in their local area. Firstly, a regression analysis of closed-ended questions, and coding of open-ended questions are combined to identify the main predictors of residents' support for remediation technologies. Secondly, coding of open-ended questions was analysed using Crawford and Ostrom's Institutional Grammar Tool to identify norms and sanctions guiding residents' willingness to negotiate their support. The research identifies factors associated with the residents' personal and demographic characteristics, their physical context and engagement with institution during remediation processes, and the technologies themselves which predict residents' level of support for the application of remediation technologies. Bioremediation technologies had higher levels of support than chemical, thermal and physical technologies. Furthermore, the paper identifies a core set of norms and sanctions residents use to negotiate their level of support for remediation technologies.

The trajectory of the ability to innovate and the financial performance of the Brazilian industry

This research analyzes the cumulative trajectory of Brazilian industry's ability to innovate and the impact of this resource on firms' financial performance. From a broad base of data taken at the firm level, a cross-sectional analysis and a longitudinal analysis were combined, through structural equation modelling, in the construction of the trajectory of resource innovation with the combined use of the following techniques: a multilevel model, latent trajectory analysis, and an autoregressive model. The empirical model shows that the ability to innovate consists of factors that are associated with internal, external, and human resources. The influence on financial performance is positive and significant when the analysis involves the long term. The autoregressive effect of the ability to innovate in time is not significant, suggesting that the innovation process is cumulative, interactive, and nonlinear. These results are relevant to emerging countries that require continued public policies and a greater intensity of business investment in the innovation process, aiming at the longevity of companies.

Public awareness and misunderstanding about DrinkWise Australia: a cross‐sectional survey of Australian adults

Objective:DrinkWise Australia is an alcohol industry Social Aspects/Public Relations Organisation (SAPRO). We assessed the Australian public's awareness of DrinkWise, beliefs about its funding source, and associations between funding beliefs and perceptions of DrinkWise. Methods:A total of 467 adult weekly drinkers completed an online cross‐sectional survey in February 2016. Results:Half the sample had heard of DrinkWise (48.6%); of these, the proportion aware that DrinkWise is industry funded (37.0%) was much smaller than the proportion believing it receives government funding (84.1%). Respondents who incorrectly believed DrinkWise receives government funding were more likely to hold a favourable perception of the organisation's credibility, trustworthiness and respectability than those who did not believe it receives government funding (75.9% vs. 58.3%; p=0.032). Conclusions:The drinking population is vulnerable to believing that alcohol industry public relations organisations such as DrinkWise are government funded, which in turn is associated with more favourable perceptions of the organisation's credibility, trustworthiness, and respectability. Implications for public health:Favourable perceptions of DrinkWise may enhance the industry's ability to delay or dilute potentially effective alcohol control policies. Future research should investigate whether educating the public about DrinkWise's alcohol industry funding alters the public's perception of how credible, trustworthy and respectable the organisation is.

Public biotech in 2016-the numbers.

The anticipated decline in the biotech industry's ability to raise capital from public investors and an accompanying slump in biotech markets materialized in 2016, but all is not gloom and doom.

Environmental Sustainability of Fluid Milk Delivery Systems in the United States

SummaryBeverage producers in the United States choose packaging based on cost and consumer preference. Monolayer high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) and gable‐top carton containers have long dominated the U.S. fluid milk market, but pressure for more sustainable packaging is increasing. We present a broad discussion on environmental sustainability of 18 fluid milk containers through life cycle assessment. Because different container types require unique milk processing, distribution, and disposal and incur or avoid milk losses, fluid milk delivery systems (FMDSs) are evaluated, rather than containers in isolation. By assessing FMDSs, a complete measure of containers’ environmental sustainability was obtained. Despite conservative assumptions about milk losses, differences in container size, milk processing, distribution, and container recycling, pair‐wise cradle‐to‐grave comparisons of FMDSs show there are no superior FMDSs. But, 500‐ to 1,000‐milliliter FMDSs are potentially superior to ≥half gallon if they prevent milk losses. Thus, the future of FMDSs in the United States depends on the industry's ability to prevent distribution (12%) and consumption milk losses (20% to 35%). Farm‐gate‐to‐grave comparisons showed that chilled HDPE FMDSs are superior to other plastic and chilled paperboard FMDSs for climate‐change impact, but the result is inconclusive for chilled HDPE to ambient (unrefrigerated) paperboard or plastic pouch FMDS comparisons. Plastic pouch FMDSs show potential to reduce nonrenewable fossil energy, but need to be recyclable. Ambient FMDSs are superior to chilled FMDSs for water depletion. Eight‐ounce paperboard FMDSs are superior to 8‐ounce plastic FMDSs. Thus, alternative FMDSs may improve environmental sustainability of the U.S. postfarm fluid milk supply chain.

21st-Century civil aviation: Is it on course or is it over-confident and complacent? – thoughts on the conundrum of aviation and the environment

ABSTRACTAviation brings great commercial and social benefits and, as the global economy develops, the demand for air transport is expected to grow. However, aviation also contributes to climate change and there is increasing international pressure to limit mean global temperature rise. Therefore, the future success of aviation is likely to depend upon the industry's ability to hold its environmental impact within politically acceptable limits. This paper describes aviation's interaction with climate and sets out, in broad terms, the challenge facing the industry. The prospects for mitigating the adverse effects by advanced technology working through aircraft design and manufacture are assessed and some potential restrictions imposed by airport infrastructure are identified. Some consideration is also given to the practicalities imposed by airline economics and the likely impact of the recent ICAO regulations, plus the proposed global-based market measures scheme for aviation carbon offset. It is argued that the environmental problem is not just about carbon dioxide emissions and that aircraft technology improvement alone is unlikely to provide a complete solution. The observation that, in current operations, the total fuel used is almost twice the minimum required suggests a need to recognise a broader ownership of the problem and broader responsibility for the solution. However, improvements in the overall system efficiency will probably need to be driven by additional regulation and the imposition of other financial measures.The overall conclusion is that the actions currently being taken and currently being proposed are probably not sufficient in themselves to meet the challenge of climate change. However, it appears that there is more that can be done and, provided that action is taken soon, there are some grounds for optimism that aviation will still be able to meet the needs of society in the 21stcentury.

The commoditisation of automotive assembly: Canada as a cautionary tale

For generations, automotive manufacturing has made an outsized contribution to the Canadian economy. The industry's growth was supported by active industrial policy, including an evolving combination of incentives: low-cost, high-quality labour, access to the largest market in the world, and investment inducements; and deterrents: market access and trade-related levers and threats. In recent years, many of the advantages Canada made for itself have eroded. The rise of new competitors, shifting philosophies surrounding trade, cost pressures, and a new paradigm with respect to investment incentives have challenged policy-makers. Several attributes previously considered the preserve of advanced countries like Canada are now evident in lesser developed jurisdictions, a phenomenon that this paper terms the commoditisation of automotive assembly. It is the result of standardised production processes and the automotive industry's ability to recruit top tier talent, particularly in less developed countries. This phenomenon is evident in the convergence of quality results and capital intensity across geographic boundaries and economic strata, expanding production in lesser developed countries, the emergence of luxury vehicle production in those countries, and stagnation of final assembly production in developed countries.