Foxconn
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Assignment 2
Case Study of Foxconn
Ning JIA 23944021
Wei SHI 23776234
Simin LIU 23624337
Jieru HE 21216819
Contents
1.0 Introduction 3 1.1 Background 4
2.0 Explanation 6
3.0 Analysis and Evaluation 8 3.1 Utilitarian View 8 3.1.1 Absolute Utility 8 3.1.2 Marginal Utility 8 3.2 Kantian Views 10 3.2.1 Utilitarian View Revisited Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2.2 Means not Ends 10 3.2.2 Respecting one’s dignity 11 3.3 Rights Ethics 13 3.3.1 Total Institution causes loss of control and dignity 13 3.3.2 Lack of Meaningful relationships reduces Dignity 13
4.0 Recommendations 15
5.0 Conclusions 16
6.0 References 17
1.0 Introduction
Globalisation has meant the integration of Developed world’s knowledge with Developing world production capabilities. Maitland (2005) has identified the transferability of capital investments (Developed world) and the immobility and abundance of labour (Developing world) has placed a huge disadvantaged for the Developing world in turns of competitiveness. Hence, the interplay of high unemployment levels and limited capital investment has caused the phenomenon of sweatshops. Although no set definitions of sweatshops exist, they are effectively the consequence of developing nations suppressing wages and sacrificing working conditions to compete to attract foreign investments (Arnold & Hartman, 2003). Notable characteristics are extreme exploitation (wages and work hours), poor working conditions, military-like discipline and intimidation of employees (Radin & Calkin, 2006).
These characteristics have often been associated with Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer (40% of world’s electronic items) for brands such as Apple, Dell, HP and IBM (Wagstaff, 2012). However, the focus of our report is on the fourteen committed suicides, four failed suicides, and eligibly
Assignment 2
Case Study of Foxconn
Ning JIA 23944021
Wei SHI 23776234
Simin LIU 23624337
Jieru HE 21216819
Contents
1.0 Introduction 3 1.1 Background 4
2.0 Explanation 6
3.0 Analysis and Evaluation 8 3.1 Utilitarian View 8 3.1.1 Absolute Utility 8 3.1.2 Marginal Utility 8 3.2 Kantian Views 10 3.2.1 Utilitarian View Revisited Error! Bookmark not defined. 3.2.2 Means not Ends 10 3.2.2 Respecting one’s dignity 11 3.3 Rights Ethics 13 3.3.1 Total Institution causes loss of control and dignity 13 3.3.2 Lack of Meaningful relationships reduces Dignity 13
4.0 Recommendations 15
5.0 Conclusions 16
6.0 References 17
1.0 Introduction
Globalisation has meant the integration of Developed world’s knowledge with Developing world production capabilities. Maitland (2005) has identified the transferability of capital investments (Developed world) and the immobility and abundance of labour (Developing world) has placed a huge disadvantaged for the Developing world in turns of competitiveness. Hence, the interplay of high unemployment levels and limited capital investment has caused the phenomenon of sweatshops. Although no set definitions of sweatshops exist, they are effectively the consequence of developing nations suppressing wages and sacrificing working conditions to compete to attract foreign investments (Arnold & Hartman, 2003). Notable characteristics are extreme exploitation (wages and work hours), poor working conditions, military-like discipline and intimidation of employees (Radin & Calkin, 2006).
These characteristics have often been associated with Foxconn, the world’s largest contract electronics manufacturer (40% of world’s electronic items) for brands such as Apple, Dell, HP and IBM (Wagstaff, 2012). However, the focus of our report is on the fourteen committed suicides, four failed suicides, and eligibly
References: Apple, Foxconn and China: The Human Cost of Manufacturing. (2012). Channel Insider, 1-2. Arnold, D. G., & Hartman, L. P. (2003). Moral Imagination and the Future of Sweatshops, Business and society Review, 108, 4, 425-461. Arnold, D. G., & Hartman, L. P. (2005). Beyond Sweatshops: positive deviance and global labour practices, Business Ethics: A European Review, 14, 3, 206-222. David, B. (2010,June 26). A Chinese Factory Outsources Worker Dorms. The New York Times, ppB1(L). Retrieved September 19 from http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/26/technology/26foxconn.html Gallagher, M Kim, Y. H., & Cohen, D. (2010). Information, perspective, and judgements about the self in face and dignity cultures. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin. 36, 4, 537-550. Lucas, K., Kang, D. J., & Li, Z. (2012). Workplace Dignity in a Total Institution: Examining the Experiences of Foxconn’s Migrant Workforce, Journal of Business Ethics, doi: 10.1007/s10551-012-1328-0 Maitland, I Pratap, S., Radhakrishnan,V., & Dutta, M. (2012). "Foxconn Workers Speak: We Are Treated Worse Than Machines." Asian Labour Update 78: p 32-36. Retrieved September 19 from http://www.amrc.org.hk/node/1186 Savitz, E Student & Scholars Against Corporate Misbehavior (SACOM).(2010). Workers as machines: Military management in Foxconn. Retrieved September 20, 2012, from http://sacom.hk/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/report-on-foxconn-workers-as-machines_sacom. Su, Y. (2010). Student Workers in the Foxconn Empire: The Commodification of Education and LaboChina. Journal of Workplace Rights, 15, 3, 341-362. Wagstaff, K (2012, February 17). Apple Manufacturer Foxconn Gives Workers Pay Raise. Time Techland. Retrieved September 20, 2012. http://techland.time.com/2012/02/17/apple-manufacturer-foxconn-gives-workers-pay-raise/