Case Study: The Nike Sweatshop Debate
Case Study: The Nike Sweatshop Debate � PAGE * Arabic �1�
Case Study: The Nike Sweatshop Debate
Established in 1972 by former University of Oregon track star Phil Knight, Nike is one of the leading global designers and marketers of athletic shoes and apparel. The organizations "swoosh" logo and "Just Do It!" marketing phrase are among the most recognizable logos in history. Nike has annual revenues of $15 billion and sells its products in over 140 countries. The corporation does not manufacture products but rather contracts manufacturing, "…from a global network of 600 factories scattered around the globe…" (Hill, 2009, p. 154). For many Nike had become a symbol of the evils of globalization as the company became a target for accusations that products were manufactured in "sweatshops" using child labor, working excessive hours under hazardous conditions while being paid sub-standard wages. This paper, based on the case study Nike: The Sweatshop Debate authored by Charles W. L. Hill in his book _International Business. Competing in the Global Marketplace_ (2009) will analyze the legal, cultural and ethical challenges confronted by global business; examine the roles that host governments have played and summarize the strategic and operational challenges facing global managers at Nike. _Legal, Cultural and Ethical Challenges_
Legal, cultural and ethical challenges play a large part in this case. Nike, one of the first truly global companies, contracts with foreign manufacturers thereby taking advantage of low-cost labor in countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, China and Vietnam.
Many legal challenges must be considered many of which include legal, cultural and ethical differences, trade regulations, employment law, and public policy.
Ethics presents a challenge for Nike as these countries have a different perspective on what is ethical and acceptable when it comes to working conditions, wages and labor practices. For example, according to Hill (2009)
Case Study: The Nike Sweatshop Debate
Established in 1972 by former University of Oregon track star Phil Knight, Nike is one of the leading global designers and marketers of athletic shoes and apparel. The organizations "swoosh" logo and "Just Do It!" marketing phrase are among the most recognizable logos in history. Nike has annual revenues of $15 billion and sells its products in over 140 countries. The corporation does not manufacture products but rather contracts manufacturing, "…from a global network of 600 factories scattered around the globe…" (Hill, 2009, p. 154). For many Nike had become a symbol of the evils of globalization as the company became a target for accusations that products were manufactured in "sweatshops" using child labor, working excessive hours under hazardous conditions while being paid sub-standard wages. This paper, based on the case study Nike: The Sweatshop Debate authored by Charles W. L. Hill in his book _International Business. Competing in the Global Marketplace_ (2009) will analyze the legal, cultural and ethical challenges confronted by global business; examine the roles that host governments have played and summarize the strategic and operational challenges facing global managers at Nike. _Legal, Cultural and Ethical Challenges_
Legal, cultural and ethical challenges play a large part in this case. Nike, one of the first truly global companies, contracts with foreign manufacturers thereby taking advantage of low-cost labor in countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, China and Vietnam.
Many legal challenges must be considered many of which include legal, cultural and ethical differences, trade regulations, employment law, and public policy.
Ethics presents a challenge for Nike as these countries have a different perspective on what is ethical and acceptable when it comes to working conditions, wages and labor practices. For example, according to Hill (2009)