How different places become interconnected by global interactions
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An overview of contemporary global networks and flows:
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and outsourcing by transnational corporations (TNCs), and ways in which this networks places and markets
Synthesis, evaluation and skills opportunities The relative importance of different flows, and the suitability of different methods for graphically representing flows and interactions |
Similar question from previous syllabus
Analyse how increased internet use has affected different global financial flows. [10]
Markscheme
Credit discussion of internet, broadband, email, television/radio (on demand). Also credit mobile phone uptake / network growth.
Candidates may write in depth about a single case study of network growth over time. This could obtain full marks provided the effect on a range of financial flows is analysed in sufficient depth and detail.
• The internet also plays a role in enabling/accelerating a range of economic interactions and financial flows as part of the “shrinking world” effect.
• These include peer to peer payments such as: migrant remittances; purchases using mobile phone credit systems eg M-Pesa in Kenya (do not expect candidates to fully distinguish between smartphones and mobiles); international aid and charity donations eg Philippines 2013; crowd-sourced financing; online shopping (Amazon, eBay, airline tickets etc); financial transactions including share dealing. Credit ideas about outsourcing provided some effect of internet use on financial flows is suggested (for instance, use of outsourcing may require companies to transfer funds to suppliers; or may enhance profitability of firm; or may involve customers making a financial transaction).
Good answers may apply (AO2) a wider range of knowledge and understanding (AO1) in a well-structured way (AO4).
One approach might be to systematically analyse a wide range of financial flows in a well-evidenced way. Another approach might be to analyse how financial flows in some localities are not affected, despite global growth in internet use, due to cost / prohibition / lack of access / other reasons.
For band C (4–6 marks), expect either some weakly-evidenced outlining of internet use in one or two local contexts or brief listing of some financial flows and economic impacts linked with internet use.
For band D (7–8 marks), expect a structured, evidenced analysis of
• either a more detailed analysis of the increase in internet use over time, and its effect on two financial flows
• or a broader analysis of the effects of internet use on a wider range of financial flows (perhaps in different places).
For band E (9–10 marks), expect both band D traits.
In terms of the new syllabus, it should be clear to you how place, process, power and possibility can be inserted into this answer.
Place will affect scale of increase and so amount and type of flows.
Processes may prevent some places from fully engaging or encourage take up over time.
Power may look at a countries ability to block open flows or create their own financial streams of income, such as China. Or it could include the rise of Amazon and Netflix as global power brands.
Possibilities could link to the monopoly of the internet by just a few large TNC's and the implications of this.