Foxconn Case
Solutions for Communication Problems in the Foxconn Suicides
Prepared for:
Gou Taiming, President
Foxconn
Prepared by:
Prakash Krishnamurthy
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………….3
Company Background…………………………………………………………………………3
Identifying the Problem - Facts of the Case………………………………………………….4
Analysis of the Communication Problem…………………………………………………….6
Recommended Solution………………………………………………………………………..8
Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………….11
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………12
Introduction to Paper
In 2010, Foxconn, the largest contract manufacturer in the world, had been under serious scrutiny for a series of suicides occurring at the Shenzhen location. Although the underlining reasons for the suicides are quite complicated, and related to a number of factors such as society, management, and operational issues, based on our analysis, we believe many of the communication tactics that have been used by the company, could be improved. This paper provides a basic overview of the company, a description of the series of suicides leading to media scrutiny, an analysis of the communication problem, an example of the solution and recommended steps for implementation.
Company Background
Gou Taiming founded Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Ltd, the anchor company of Foxconn Technology Group in 1974. Mr. Taiming’s vision was to provide the lowest "total cost" solution to increase the affordability of electronics products everywhere . Foxconn is the largest contract manufacturer of electronic components for such companies as Apple, Dell, HP and many others. Many companies outsource manufacturing to Foxconn for its cost efficiency, high quality standards and confidentiality.
Foxconn is headquartered in Taiwan, with its largest manufacturing plant located in mainland China in Longhua, Shenzhen. The Shenzhen location, which opened in 1988, employs close to 420,000 workers. The site is
Prepared for:
Gou Taiming, President
Foxconn
Prepared by:
Prakash Krishnamurthy
Table of Contents
Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………….3
Company Background…………………………………………………………………………3
Identifying the Problem - Facts of the Case………………………………………………….4
Analysis of the Communication Problem…………………………………………………….6
Recommended Solution………………………………………………………………………..8
Appendix……………………………………………………………………………………….11
Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………12
Introduction to Paper
In 2010, Foxconn, the largest contract manufacturer in the world, had been under serious scrutiny for a series of suicides occurring at the Shenzhen location. Although the underlining reasons for the suicides are quite complicated, and related to a number of factors such as society, management, and operational issues, based on our analysis, we believe many of the communication tactics that have been used by the company, could be improved. This paper provides a basic overview of the company, a description of the series of suicides leading to media scrutiny, an analysis of the communication problem, an example of the solution and recommended steps for implementation.
Company Background
Gou Taiming founded Hon Hai Precision Industry Company Ltd, the anchor company of Foxconn Technology Group in 1974. Mr. Taiming’s vision was to provide the lowest "total cost" solution to increase the affordability of electronics products everywhere . Foxconn is the largest contract manufacturer of electronic components for such companies as Apple, Dell, HP and many others. Many companies outsource manufacturing to Foxconn for its cost efficiency, high quality standards and confidentiality.
Foxconn is headquartered in Taiwan, with its largest manufacturing plant located in mainland China in Longhua, Shenzhen. The Shenzhen location, which opened in 1988, employs close to 420,000 workers. The site is
Bibliography: Johnson, J. (2011, February 28). 1 Million Workers. 90 Million iPhones. 17 Suicides. Who’s to Blame? Wired Magazine. http://www.wired.com/magazine/2011/02/ff_joelinchina/all/1 Demick, B., Sarno, D Suicides at Foxconn: Light and Death (2010, May 27). The Economist. http://www.economist.com/node/16231588?story_id=16231588 Barboza, D Foxconn worker plunges to death at China plant: report. (2010, November 5). Reuters. http://www.reuters.com/article/2010/11/05/us-china-foxconn-death-idUSTRE6A41M920101105 Moore, M Dalrymple, J. (2009, July 21). Apple confirms death of iPhone worker in China. cNet. http://news.cnet.com/8301-13579_3-10291701-37.html Barboza, D Lai, R. (2010, May 19). The fate of a generation of workers: Foxconn undercover fully translated. Engadget. http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/19/the-fate-of-a-generation-of-workers-foxconn-undercover-fully-tr/ Foxconn to raise wages again at China plant Apple sent COO Tim Cook to China after Foxconn suicides last year. (2011, February 15). Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/technology/2011/02/apple-sent-coo-tim-cook-to-china-after-foxconn-suicides-last-year.html Solar, I Clenendin, M. (2010, June 3). Foxconn Hikes Wages After Suicides. Information Week. http://www.informationweek.com/news/hardware/mac/225300229 After Suicides, Scrutiny of China’s Grim Factories Wong, S., Liu, J., Culpan, T. (2010, June 3). Why Apple and Others Are Nervous About Foxconn. Businessweek. http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/10_24/b4182035750226.htm