Unit III Case Study For this assignment, review the Nike case study, located at:

Question

Unit III Case Study

For this assignment, review the Nike case study, located at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5uYCWVfuPQ

Once you have viewed the case scenario, respond to the following questions, with thorough explanations and well supported

rationale.

1. These workers state the “only thing they have is their work”. This statement suggests that without this work, they would have a lower standard of living. Should we inflict western values on this society? Bring in the concepts of social responsibility, integrity and other business ethics practices.

2. From Nike’s standpoint, is this a fair assessment of their ethical standards? Explain the some of the ethical issues that Nike is facing in the case.

3. Explain what Nike has done to improve this situation since this 2011 video. Include the use of codes of ethics and other ethical standards implemented within the organization.

4. Is your opinion of Nike any different now after viewing this video? Would this change your buying behavior with respect to Nike products?

Your response should be a minimum of two double-spaced pages. References should include your required reading plus one additional credible reference. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying in-text citations, and cited per APA guidelines.

Explanation / Answer

1. The workers say that the only thing they have is work. Indonesia is a developing economy without decent job opportunities for its working class. Western values should not compulsorily be enforced upon the society there. However However, cultural principles which benefit a larger population should be encouraged like integrity, social responsibility and such similar good ethical values. So, even though from the countries standards like might be doing a Justice by providing them at least with a working opportunity, it is at the same time exploiting those factory workers who do not have an alternative. Like must keep the idea of cultural relativism in mind.

2. From Nike is stand., this might not be very favourable assessment. However, it does bring out some key issues which Nike factories are plagued with. Nike is exorbitant amounts to the athletes and celebrities like Tiger Woods and Maria Sharapova endorsing its products. At the same time, they Pay very low wages to the factory workers who are always struggling to make their ends meet. They should focus more on enhancing the living standards of the factory workers. This might not include necessarily a raise in wages but including some corporate social responsibility activities like starting a school or a Healthcare facility for its factory workers. This will greatly help better the living standards for the factory workers and their families. The factory workers will also become more loyal towards the company by getting such sweet gestures.

3. Nike has introduced a code of ethics for all its employees which sets the standards of conduct expected out of their employees and includes several topics on employee activity, product safety, ethical behaviour, legal compliance, competition and use of resources.

Nike also requires every supplier factory which makes it products to meet rigorous compliance requirements. Nike is code of conduct search out the minimum standards expected for each factory or facility related to wages, hiring practices, freedom of association, health and safety. They regularly review suppliers factories to assess their ability to meet the set code of conduct. The assessments include audit visits by internal and external entities, announced and surprise checks.

4. The video has definitely been an eye opener about the living standards of the workers and their families. The poor conditions of the factory workers is being propagated across the globe to create awareness amongst people who are consumers as well. As a consumer, we will definitely get affected by the dilapidated condition of the factory people and might Act at least not to buy Nike products for a short while. However, over the period of time the consumers will forget the conditions of factory workers and will again start buying the products from the company. So, even though Nike might suffer a deep in sales for a short while but it would only be a small blip.

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