Problem:

Question 1) What are the advantages and disadvantages of globalization? Provide an example of a firm that has engaged in globalization. What are some of the potential advantages and disadvantages of globalization for this particular organization?

Question 2) What motivates U.S. firms to compete for the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award (MBNQA)? How could a firm benefit from participating in the MBNQA competition, even if it did not apply for the award?

Question 3) Describe the concept of "visibility" in the context of the Japanese total quality approach. How does the concept of visibility help a firm identify problems in its production processes?

Question 4) In what sense does excess inventory act as a "security blanket" for manufacturing firms?

Provide thorough explanation of every question given in the problem.