Question 1
- The TNC I decided to research is Baxter Healthcare (Makarik, 2008). Baxter Healthcare is a company focused on manufacturing medical equipment, specializing in kidney disease treatments and IV administration sets. They also specialize in transporting and distributing these medical technologies globally (Baxter, n.d).
- Costa Rica has one of Baxter’s several manufacturing plants. The plant is located in Cartago, Costa Rica, and is Costa Rica’s fourth-largest exporter. The goods from Costa Rica’s plant are used in 60 countries globally (CSMADMIN, 2009). This plant was the first manufacturing plant outside of North America to receive the Shingo Prize for Operational Excellence in 2008 (Pharmaceutical Online, 2008).
- The most recent number of employees at this plant I could find was 1,200 in 2009 (CSMADMIN, 2009). The building is 152,000 square feet and has a portfolio of 169 codes, as of 2008 (Pharmaceutical Online, 2008). Their main output is medication delivery products (CMSADMIN, 2009).
Question 2
The positive impact of this manufacturing plant being located in Costa Rica is that it employs at least 1,200 locals in the area. This plant is also a safe workplace for its’ workers, being the first OHSAS 18001 certified company in the region (Pharmaceutical Online, 2008). The plant is located in Cartago, which is Southeast of San Jose, which could be beneficial for transportation purposes. However, Cartago is also just north of Parque Nacional Tapanti, a conservation area, which makes me concerned that pollution from the plant, especially transportation pollution, could be affecting the natural area. However, the plant has been working with the government in Costa Rica to plant native trees with Fundacion Tropical Sierra to offset their carbon footprint (Amazon AWS, 2010).
Question 3
I think neoliberalism best represents Baxter’s presence in Costa Rica. There is no sense of controlling or influencing the country, and Baxter largely stays out of Costa Rica’s government and culture, meaning neo-colonialism does not fit. However, there is a sense of the company wanting to expand and grow economically. The company places a huge emphasis on its ability to be efficient and produce its products efficiently, with is aligned with the ideas of neoliberalism.
References
Amazon AWS. (2010). Sustainability at baxter. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from http://q4live.s22.clientfiles.s3-website-us-east-1.amazonaws.com/911189824/files/doc_downloads/2020/CR-reports/updated/Baxter_2010_Sustainability_Report.pdf
Baxter. (n.d.). Our Story. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.baxter.com/our-story
Bruns, A. (n.d.). Biopharma: Splitting the Difference | Site Selection Online. Site Selection. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://siteselection.com/LifeSciences/2014/nov/baxter.cfm
CMSADMIN. (2009, August 16). Baxter Healthcare Cartago Facility. Pharmaceutical Technology. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.pharmaceutical-technology.com/projects/baxter-cartago/
Makarik, A. (2008, March 28). Costa Rica’s Multinational Investors and Where They’re Located. We Love Costa Rica. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.welovecostarica.com/costa-ricas-multinational-investors-and-where-theyre-located/
Pharmaceutical Online. (2008, February 6). Baxter’s Costa Rica Facility Recognized With Shingo Prize For Excellence In Manufacturing. Retrieved February 2, 2022, from https://www.pharmaceuticalonline.com/doc/baxters-costa-rica-facility-recognized-with-s-0001