Imagine you are a customer purchasing a cell phone. The company you have been loyal to for many years is running a special sale which gives you a 2-for-1 deal. However, a news story has just broken which details this company and its employment practices using underage children in an underdeveloped country. Are you still going to purchase phones from this company? Why or why not? If the company corrected the employment practices, would you return as a loyal customer? If not, what would it take for you to return to this company as a customer? Explain your experiences as an ethical consumer.
Discussion: Responsibility to the Customer
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I will not buy from this company again, even if it corrects its situation because it is an intentional ethical matter and it corrected the matter for a commercial purpose and to maintain its reputation after the news spread.... An example of this is as a consumer experiment that decided to boycott all companies that support the Zionist-Israeli entity because it is an ethical matter. ...to support an entity that steals the lands of indigenous people and kills children, women and men...this is an unforgivable moral and humanitarian matter.
No... I won't! Becuase, that is clearly going against the law of standard employment ages. Well,
I think yes... if it keeps to its promises. Hmmm.... there's much to say being an ethical consumer: As an ethical consumer, I purchase things that are based on : three factors- goods that are ethically sourced ; ethically made and ethically distributed. This helps me to participate in a path of responsibility and engage in a sustainable purchasing and eco-friendly path. Moreover, we are obligated in making decisions that should consider the social, economical and environmental impact on the planet. To me, that is what ethical consumerism should be all about!
Re: Discussion: Responsibility to the Customer
Re: Discussion: Responsibility to the Customer
Re: Discussion: Responsibility to the Customer
As an ethical consumer, the decision to purchase a cell phone from a company that has been revealed to engage in unethical employment practices involving underage children in an underdeveloped country would be deeply troubling and morally conflicting.While the special sale offering a 2-for-1 deal would be gold for a discount shopper such as myself, the knowledge of the company's exploitative practices would outweigh any potential benefits. Supporting such practices by purchasing products from the company would essentially condone and perpetuate the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, which goes against my ethical values. Even if the company were to correct its employment practices and implement measures to ensure ethical sourcing and labor standards, it would be challenging to regain my trust as a loyal customer. The violation of basic human rights and the exploitation of children leave a lasting stain on the company's reputation, and it would take significant efforts to demonstrate genuine remorse, accountability, and a commitment to ethical business practices.
As an ethical consumer, my purchasing decisions are guided by considerations beyond price and convenience. I prioritize supporting companies that demonstrate social responsibility, ethical conduct, and a commitment to sustainability. This includes conducting thorough research into companies' practices, scrutinizing their supply chains, and holding them accountable for any unethical behavior.
To return as a customer to a company with a history of unethical practices, I would need to see tangible evidence of meaningful change, such as:
Transparent Reporting: The company must provide transparent reports detailing its supply chain practices, including audits, inspections, and corrective actions taken to address labor violations.
Independent Verification: Independent third-party audits or certifications confirming compliance with ethical labor standards and human rights protections would be essential to rebuild trust.
Corporate Accountability: The company should publicly acknowledge its past wrongdoing, accept responsibility, and provide restitution to the victims of labor exploitation.
Sustainable Practices: Demonstrated commitment to sustainable and responsible business practices, including fair wages, safe working conditions, and environmental stewardship, would be crucial factors in rebuilding trust.
Community Engagement: Active involvement in community development initiatives and partnerships aimed at addressing systemic issues of poverty, education, and child welfare in the affected regions would signal a genuine commitment to positive change.
Ultimately, as an ethical consumer, I believe in using my purchasing power to support companies that align with my values and contribute positively to society. While forgiveness and redemption are possible, they must be earned through genuine efforts to right past wrongs and uphold ethical standards.
Human rights and customer service
- According to a certain news story, a cellular company that I am a loyal customer of is involved in illegal activity, Which is the outsourcing of child labour in an underdeveloped country. The cellular company was violating several human rights such as the minimum age requirement for an employee, issued by the OSHA, and the ''worst form of child labour convention, NO. 182", created in 1999 by the International Labour Organization.
- In addition to the company's disregard for child labour laws, they also undermined the consumer's right to be informed. Their lack of transparency has resulted in their loyal customers being unwilling supporters of illegal child labour.
- As an ethical consumer, I would not support the cellular company's 2-for-1 deal or any other offering. This is due to the illegal practices of the cellular company. The company's reputation and trust value would be damaged by the public news story. All the company leaders and employees who were aware of these illegal practices may be subject to legal repercussions, after an investigation by the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission and other relevant law enforcement agencies.
- The company might also experience a large percentage of employee and business partner turnover due to a lack of trust. Additional effects might be a loss of profits, as a result of a decrease in sales and production, and negative reviews online.
- As an ethical customer, I would return to the company as a customer if they were to truly change their employment practices and adhere to basic consumer rights, OSHA, and any other relevant laws.
For the cellular company to earn back the trust of the public, business partners, and employees they need to make the following changes:
- The company needs to create a hiring process and work environment that adheres to the laws of child labour.
- Every individual rendering service/support in any capacity should be compensated fairly.
- The company needs to uphold all laws issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO).
- The company should also continually support at least one non-profit organization that specifically caters to children in need. Doing so might help with the restoration of their reputation.
If the company were to rectify its employment practices and demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethical conduct, it would be a step in the right direction. However, rebuilding trust would require consistent efforts, transparency, and accountability from the company. I would need to see concrete actions, such as investing in fair labor practices, ensuring proper oversight of their supply chain, and actively supporting social responsibility initiatives.
Returning as a loyal customer would depend on the company's ability to show meaningful change and a dedication to ethical standards. It's essential for companies to not only correct past mistakes but also to proactively work towards a sustainable and socially responsible business model. As an ethical customer, I believe in supporting companies that prioritize ethical conduct, transparency, and social responsibility in all aspects of their operations.
No I won’t buy from the same company again. The fact that they’re a reputable company,they’re expected to act accordingly to employment practices if truly they care about their customers or consumers. It’s obvious certain act will occur in future even if they corrected the employment practices.
Re: Discussion: Responsibility to the Customer
I will no longer purchase from this company because of ethical issue. But as they correct it, i can come back and carry on my purchases.
The decision to purchase phones from this company would depend on several factors:
1. Ethical Considerations: The employment of underage children is a serious ethical issue, and as a consumer, I would prioritize supporting companies that uphold ethical standards and treat their workers fairly and ethically.
2. Corporate Responsibility: If the company takes immediate and meaningful action to address the issue, such as terminating relationships with suppliers involved in child labor, implementing robust supply chain monitoring and auditing processes, and providing restitution to affected individuals, it may demonstrate a commitment to corporate responsibility and accountability.
3. Transparency and Accountability: Transparency about the steps taken to rectify the situation and accountability for past actions are essential for rebuilding trust. The company would need to be transparent about its supply chain practices and provide assurances that similar incidents will not occur in the future.
4. Alternative Options: I would explore alternative options for purchasing cell phones from companies with better ethical track records, even if it means forgoing the 2-for-1 deal. Supporting ethical companies aligns with my values as a consumer, and I prioritize the ethical implications of my purchasing decisions.
Returning as a loyal customer would require significant efforts on the part of the company to rebuild trust and demonstrate a genuine commitment to ethical practices. This may include ongoing monitoring and transparency of supply chain practices, investment in ethical sourcing initiatives, engagement with stakeholders, and contributions to social responsibility programs aimed at addressing child labor and related issues.
Ultimately, as an ethical consumer, my purchasing decisions are guided by considerations beyond cost and convenience, and I am committed to supporting companies that prioritize ethical behavior and social responsibility.