Having good business ethics is beneficial to the company as it gives a good reputation, however, some major brands may not view business ethics as their top priority when it comes to making money.
According to the article “Apple and the Ethical Problems of Child Labour and Other Unsavory Practices”, two business ethical issues are raised regarding Apple and its suppliers. A report reveals that 11 minors were found in the factories that manufacture their products, and not only were these workers receiving less than the minimum wage, but were also on the job for longer than the maximum 60 hour work week. The other ethical issue in the article is the illegal use of chemical, n-hexane in Wintek Suzhou, a major supplier of components for Apple’s products. Apple had caused 49 workers into n-hexane poisoning, as the company illegally used hexane in place for alcohol for the workers to clean the mobile phone screens.
The business ethical issues in the article have definitely shock people as they discover the human cost that has been put in making an Apple product. Some ethical issues of a company may lead to a decrease in sales. However, with Apple, a major brand in the world, it seems like their constant new waves of products have drift away the public’s attention toward the actual costs of their innovative products.
Sources:
http://www.itbusinessedge.com/cm/blogs/enderle/apple-and-the-ethicalbusiness-problems-of-child-labor-and-other-unsavory-practices/?cs=39724
http://gizmodo.com/5481832/child-workers-discovered-in-apple-factories
http://www.chinatechnews.com/2010/02/22/11610-n-hexane-poisoning-scare-at-apple-supplier-in-china