Every Day, in a Third-Class Carriage of the Express Train

question 211

Multiple Choice

Every day, in a third-class carriage of the express train that rolls between Bombay and Ahmedabad, plainly dressed couriers carry precious cargo: diamonds. Rough gems are imported to Bombay from dealers in London, Antwerp, Tel Aviv, and New York, taken by these couriers to cutting and polishing centers in Gujarat state, and then
Carried back to Bombay to be reexported to the world. This system, based on trust,
Secrecy, and skilled low-cost labour, has been working for half a century. It has helped make India the world's premier center for diamond cutting and polishing. Nine out of every 10 stones sold in the world pass through India, making diamonds that country's
Largest export at $6.6 billion a year. This ability to use its skilled labour as a resource is an example of what Michael Porter would term:

• A)demand conditions.
• B)structural conditions.
• C)factor conditions.
• D)socio-cultural conditions.

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Definitions:

Desert Ecosystem

A biome characterized by very low precipitation, extreme temperatures, and sparse vegetation, supporting a unique set of flora and fauna adapted to arid conditions.

Prickly Pear

A plant species belonging to the cactus family, known for its edible fruit and pads, and characterized by its spiky exterior.

Saguaro Cactus

A large, tree-sized cactus species native to the Sonoran Desert in the United States and Mexico, known for its towering, arm-like branches.

Arctic Tundra

A cold, treeless biome located in the Arctic regions, characterized by permafrost, low temperatures, and short growing seasons.