Conscience or Competitive Edge
Conscience or Competitive Edge
Introduction
This case is an example of cultural differences and ethics in business. Olivia Jones, a buyer for a British clothing retailer, went on a buying trip to India for woven materials for the next season’s clothing line. Throughout her four day trip she was treated very well and shown many of the niceties of the Indian culture. It was on her last day that the tone of the trip changed for Olivia. Even though she knew it would her request would not be immediately considered by her hosts Olivia requested to see a factory where the clothing is manufactured. The factory was in the poorer part of the city that Olivia had not previously visited. The factory exhibited very poor working conditions and unethical employee treatment.
Problems or Issues
The splendor and opulence that Olivia experienced during her trip to India was forgotten once she saw the conditions in which the workers were kept. The workers are living and working in shocking, inhuman conditions. They were forced to work 12 hour shifts in 24 hour rotations for six months straight in a small workroom that was not even tall enough to stand up in. The workers who were not working slept on reed mats on the floor of the factory awaiting their next shift.
The visit to the factory was unsettling to Olivia. The sights and experience of the day caused her internal conflict where she felt that her business dealings may have indirectly caused the terrible conditions at the factory. Olivia’s strong negotiation skills may have secured the company lower costs but the factory workers are picking up the slack of those costs. For Olivia, it was a moral issue of her potential involvement in the worker’s situation. As a result, Olivia considers her position at the company and the options open to her.
Situation Analysis
Consideration should be given to the culture of the country. Historically India had a practiced caste system which the lower casts were
Introduction
This case is an example of cultural differences and ethics in business. Olivia Jones, a buyer for a British clothing retailer, went on a buying trip to India for woven materials for the next season’s clothing line. Throughout her four day trip she was treated very well and shown many of the niceties of the Indian culture. It was on her last day that the tone of the trip changed for Olivia. Even though she knew it would her request would not be immediately considered by her hosts Olivia requested to see a factory where the clothing is manufactured. The factory was in the poorer part of the city that Olivia had not previously visited. The factory exhibited very poor working conditions and unethical employee treatment.
Problems or Issues
The splendor and opulence that Olivia experienced during her trip to India was forgotten once she saw the conditions in which the workers were kept. The workers are living and working in shocking, inhuman conditions. They were forced to work 12 hour shifts in 24 hour rotations for six months straight in a small workroom that was not even tall enough to stand up in. The workers who were not working slept on reed mats on the floor of the factory awaiting their next shift.
The visit to the factory was unsettling to Olivia. The sights and experience of the day caused her internal conflict where she felt that her business dealings may have indirectly caused the terrible conditions at the factory. Olivia’s strong negotiation skills may have secured the company lower costs but the factory workers are picking up the slack of those costs. For Olivia, it was a moral issue of her potential involvement in the worker’s situation. As a result, Olivia considers her position at the company and the options open to her.
Situation Analysis
Consideration should be given to the culture of the country. Historically India had a practiced caste system which the lower casts were