i think its about time apple takes steps to help fix the bad image written all over foxconn electronics because it may gradually affect apples image in general and if the problems continue, its only a matter of time before it drags apple as a whole into negative headlines
And the answer is yes with big letters. "Foxconn has an image problem. So does Apple." These two companies are linked and connected each other with tight bonds. As far Apple doesn't change its partner is kind of acceptance to what is going on inside the Foxconn. And of course, Apple is not the only one with relative behavior.
The Chinese government needs to care about its people first so that they are not exploited. If the government of a country does not care about the welfare of its citizens, how can a private company bringing business in be blamed for the unethical practices in that country? Objectively speaking, I think this is unfair.
Cryptoman--that's a good point and a good "reality check." In the US, we have come to view athletes, corporations and political leaders as some kind of moral compass for the masses. (Very bad idea, BTW.) The business reality is supply and demand and consumers can vote with their pocketbooks if they don't like a company's practices. I like the idea of corporations as agents of change, but your point about the China government is well made.
Foxconn electronics is a contractor to Apple. It is not owned by Apple. Therefore, Apple cannot dictate how Foxconn runs its business. Apple uses Foxconn's services because it is of acceptable quality at an acceptable price and it is fast.
How Foxconn is able to provide this service is not Apple's concern. It may be unethical, unfair and may have labour violations. The body who needs to be concerned with such matters is the regulatory bodies in China controlled by the government. The Chinese government needs to care about its people first so that they are not exploited. If the government of a country does not care about the welfare of its citizens, how can a private company bringing business in be blamed for the unethical practices in that country? Objectively speaking, I think this is unfair.
The only reason Apple is under the spotlight is purely because it is commercially very successful and is huge. Also, it has strong competitors who spend day and night trying to push it out of the game. That is the reality of capitalism unfortunately. There are thousands of other smaller companies who are using the services of Chinese companies that have even worse working conditions and unethical practices but they are not in the radar as much as Apple is. Such companies never get criticised, do they? We never read about them, do we?
Of course, Foxconn should be audited and penalised in the heaviest possible way if it is guilty but such actions should be taken by the state. Trying to force Apple's business away from Foxconn so that the company has less business and therefore the level of exploitation automatically goes down, is the easiest and the most unfair approach in my opinion. Actually, this is not a solution, it is a short-term "workaround".
I continue to marvel at the fact that Apple has not suffered from a negative consumer reaction to the reports regarding Foxconn. I think it is, in part, a testament to the zeal of Apple's customer base. Companies are boycotted all the time for big disasters (Exxon, BP) and small missteps ("What I meant to say was....") by management. Apple so far has been immune to the backlash. And you are right in saying this isn't just Apple's problem--Foxconn is a service provider to just about any electronics brand name on the planet.
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Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
While no one really can accurately predict the future, we can take guidance from another Drucker saying which is the best way to predict the future is to create it.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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