Moore's Law: Fast, Cheap Computing and What It Means for the Manager

Moore's Law, named for the co-founder of Intel Gordon Moore, defines expected advances in the need for data storage over time. In reality, it defines much more, beyond simply data storage. Read this chapter and attempt the exercises to gain a broader understanding of the importance and costs associated with Information Systems.

E-waste: The Dark Side of Moore’s Law

Questions and Exercises

  1. What is e-waste? What is so dangerous about e-waste?
  2. What sorts of materials might be harvested from e-waste recycling?
  3. Many well-meaning individuals thought that recycling was the answer to the e-waste problem. But why hasn't e-waste recycling yielded the results hoped for?
  4. What lessons do the challenges of e-waste offer the manager? What issues will your firm need to consider as it consumes or offers products that contain computing components?
  5. Why is it difficult to recycle e-waste?
  6. Why is e-waste exported abroad for recycling rather than processed domestically?
  7. What part does corruption play in the recycling and disposal of e-waste?
  8. What part might product design and production engineering play in the reduction of the impact of technology waste on the environment?
  9. What are the possible consequences should a U.S. firm be deemed "environmentally irresponsible"?
  10. Name two companies that have incurred the wrath of environmental advocates. What might these firms have done to avoid such criticism?