The Nike Sweatshop Debate Essay Sample
The Nike Sweatshop Debate Essay Sample

The Nike Sweatshop Debate Essay Sample

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  • Pages: 3 (561 words)
  • Published: August 31, 2018
  • Type: Essay
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The Nike Corporation, named after the Greek goddess of victory, is globally known as the leading provider of sporting goods and apparel for over a decade. However, the company has been linked to negative impacts brought by globalization. Nike faced allegations of utilizing "sweatshops" in manufacturing their products that involve child labor, risky working environment, and inadequate compensation for long hours worked. This article aims to tackle these accusations concerning Nike.

In this paragraph, it is stated that Charles W. L. Hill's book International Business: Competing in the Global Marketplace (2009) describes the survey "Nike: The Sweatshop Debate" and focuses on legal, cultural, and ethical challenges that global businesses face. It also examines the roles of host governments and summarizes the strategic and operational challenges faced by Nike's global directors.

There are legal, cultural, and ethical obstacles to consider in relat

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ion to Nike's manufacturing plants located in Indonesia, China, and Vietnam.

Although Nike does not completely own the factories, they are contracted to independent businesses that hire local residents. However, Nike exerts significant control over the management of these companies in various countries. As a form of expansion for companies, globalization can offer favorable incentives for the native population. Nevertheless, Nike faces ethical obstacles since the standards for acceptable working conditions differ across cultures and countries.

Nike's global workforce policies have led to laborers working long hours for minimal pay, causing them to struggle to meet basic needs and even die. To ensure the ethical, cultural, and legal implications of their practices are considered, Nike must go beyond following local customs and labor standards. It should prioritize providing fair wages to workers rather than just maintaining a positive

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public image.

The Functions of Government play a crucial role in Nike's global operations. In the 1970s, Nike collaborated with South Korea and Taiwan for the production of footwear and clothing, resulting in an increase in wages due to increased organization of workers. In search of cheaper labor, Nike shifted its focus to Indonesia and China, where the government prohibits labor unions and sets minimum wage controls. (Hill, 2009).

According to page 155, Nike has faced strategic and operational challenges in the past ten years, particularly in regards to monitoring their contract workers. Despite negative publicity, the company seems to have learned a valuable lesson.

Nike has a responsibility to oversee its business partners, authorities, and employees. To conduct business while complying with ethical regulations regarding working conditions and compensation, the company must identify global opportunities. Additionally, it should optimize distribution channels to maintain product quality throughout the world and monitor outsourced manufacturing for Nike policy compliance. Although no business can guarantee a completely problem-free supply chain, Nike has made significant strides in ensuring safer working conditions in the last decade.

The company is focusing on improving record keeping and ensuring corporate responsibility. They have already addressed criteria and monitoring, and now they are shifting their focus to responsible initiatives. Hill was mentioned in relation to these efforts.

C.W.L. (2009).

Competing in the Global Marketplace is addressed in the 7th edition of International Business.

The University of Phoenix's eResource website, specifically the MGT – 448 page, was accessed on February 11, 2009 via hypertext transfer protocol at http://ecampus.

Phoenix.edu/secure/resource/resource.asp

(The original text cannot befurther without changing its meaning as it is a URL or a webpage link.)

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