Apple Suppliers and Labor Practices

1. Do you think Apple should be responsible for ethical lapses made by

individuals further down its supply chain ? Why or why not?

● Yes they should be held accountable for ethical lapses made by individuals
further down the supply chain. This is due to Apple’s ability to choose who
they buy their supplies from, allowing them to control the ethics of the
supply. As a result, Apple should be held accountable for ethical lapses
throughout its supply chain. The standard audits are carried out by Apple
itself, and are directed by an Apple auditor.

2. Should Apple continue to work with the suppliers in an effort to change

practices, or should they stop working with every supplier, even the
conscientious one, to make sure no “bad apples” are getting through?
Explain your reasoning.

● Apple should continue to collaborate with its suppliers in order to change

practices. This is due to the fact that Apple cannot directly source all of its
products because it would be too time-consuming and inefficient. As a
result, Apple’s only logical solution is to continue working with suppliers to
change practices.

3. Do you think consumers should be expected to take into account the

ethical track record of companies when making purchases? Why or why
not?

● Yes, when making a purchase, consumers should be expected to consider

the company’s ethical track record. This is due to consumer’s social
responsibility to support businesses that follow ethical business practices.
Furthermore, consumers have the ability to influence a business’s ethical
practices because every business relies on consumers to purchase its
products.

4. Can you think of other products or brands that rely on ethically

questionable business practices? Do you think consumers are turned off
by their track record or are they largely indifferent to it? Explain.
● Another industry that relies on unethical business practices is the clothing
industry. With the majority of production of some of the most popular
clothing brands taking place in developing Asian countries, the productions
have been accused of using unethical methods of production. Consumers
are not turned off by their track records because most consumers are
unaware of how and where these garments are made, They are largely
unconcerned about it, and the consumer continues to shop as usual.

5. Would knowing that a product was produced under ethically questionable

conditions affect your decision to purchase it? Explain with examples.

● Yes , if I knew that a product is produced under ethically questionable

conditions, I would be less likely to buy it. In fact, I will inform my friends
and family about the ethical violations and discourage them from using
that product, because I know that I am safe, especially when using the
product that I bought. Yes, because I know that it was built in a proper way
and it is free from harm.

6. If you were part of a third-party regulating body, how would you deal with
ethically questionable business practices of multinational corporations like
Apple? Would you feel obligated to do something, or do you think the
solution rests with the companies themselves? Explain your reasoning.

● I would compel the companies to take notice of the violations and take
action otherwise legal action may be taken against the company. Human
rights organizations can be used against them. Even Though the company
may win the legal battle, their reputation will be tarnished. That is why the
company may want to take action themselves and portray themselves as
ethical.