Following the announcement of the new iPhone, our attention, as consumers, has been drawn to the ethicality of Apple’s business practices. Apple markets their phones to seem clean, simple, and sharp. However, this image is a facade to cover the 72 hour work week in which Chinese workers are exploited to produce the beloved next greatest smartphone. But Apple can’t be blamed. Isn’t every company just trying to make profit in the best way possible in order to satisfy financiers? But they must please all stakeholders. No company wants the consumers to see the harsh reality that is the lack of morals these companies truly ultimately possess. But the company must make sacrifices. From the consumer’s point of view, they know these harsh practices are occurring, and they know they aren’t ethical, but will this stop them from obtaining the smartphone they so desperately crave at a price they can afford?
The answer is no. However, justification for the harsh business practices that their supplier participates in would be welcome. Apple, alongside other companies, consistently release to the press that they are taking measures to reduce the exploitation of labor. But, are these promises actually executed upon? Conclusively, the consumer desires the product, the financiers want profit, and so the company will continue exploiting labor while “attempting to do otherwise”.
“Can you buy the iPhone 5S or 5C with a clear conscience?” The Gaurdian.
Guardian News and Media Limited, 10 Sept. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.
<http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2013/sep/10/iphone-5s-5c-apple>.
“Production.” Apple Insider. AppleInsider, 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 11 Sept. 2013.
<http://appleinsider.com/articles/13/02/20/
foxconn-hiring-freeze-unrelated-to-production-of-apples-iphone-5>.