Nike and Human Rights Essay

1. What ethical issues faced by MNCs in their treatment of unconnected workers could bring allegations of misconduct in their operations?Ethical issues may include the violation of fundamental human rights of sweatshop workers such as freedom, speech and discrimination. The treatment of their workers could be deemed unethical by media who construe this view to consumers. Such allegations can and forget have damaging effects with Nike having been taken to court already in the past.2. Would the consumption of third-party independent contractors insulate MNCs from organism attacked? Would that practice offer MNCs a good defensive shield against charges of abuse of their employees?Not necessarily, as Nike will be apply labour which is just managed by another party. They would just be shifting the blame of abusing their employees to hiring someone elses. The connection of the brand to any unethical labour will still be damaging regardless of whether they are directly related or not.3 . Do you think that statements by companies that describe good social and moral conduct in the treatment of their workers are part of the image those companies create and therefore are part of their advertising message? Do consumers judge companies and al-Qaeda their buying decision on their perceptions of corporate behaviour and values? Is the historic do in question (e.g., Made in the USA) now being replaced by a made by inquiry (e.g., Made by community X or Made for Company X by Company Y)?I think that good social and moral conduct is an inaugural part of the advertising and marketing message of any brand. In these quantify more consumers are moving to seek ethically sourced products (such as fair trade coffee), this includes worker conditions and perceptions the consumer may have of the companys corporate activities. The made in question is not necessarily being replaced by made by it is more likely that both questions are beginning to be asked in conjunction with one anothe r.4. Given the principles noted in the case, how can companies comment on their positive actions to promote human rights so that consumers will think considerably of them? Would you propose that a company (a) do nothing, (b) construct a corporate code of ethics, (c) align itself with some of the universal covenants or compacts prepared by transnational agencies?It would be wise for Nike to develop a corporate code of ethics to help foster what is seen as acceptable standards within the company and its operations. It would also be beneficial to comply with international practice standards.5. What does Nikes continued financial success, in spite of the lawsuit, suggest about consumers reactions to negative forwarding? Have American media and NGOs exaggerated the impact of a firms labour practices and corporate social responsibility on its sales? How should managers of an MNC respond to such negative advancement?Nikes continued success suggests that consumers may not be as deterred by negative publicity as it has been suggested. Nike still remains one of the biggest world-wide brands today and perhaps the value of the label is stronger than damaging publicity. American media and NGOs may have sensationalised the impact of CSR on sales to some extent, although it is deemed important by some consumers, it seems that demand for Nike good remains strong regardless as many are more swayed by celebrity endorsements than working conditions. Managers of MNCs should respond to unfavourable publicity fixing the exposed issue, undertaking community outreach programs, and implementing pre-emptive measures to ensure that bad publicity will not be an issue in the future.