imagine that you are a senior executive of a large sports goods manufacturer, who has been asked to establish a new manufacturing base for marketing training shoes. you are considering subcontracting this work to a taiwanese-owned company that operates assembly plants on export processing zones (EPZ's) throughout asia and central america. you are attracted to this particular company because it can make your goods far more cheaply than they could be made anywhere else. but you are also aware that it achieves its low-cost base by using many of the labor practices criticized by ethicists scholars. this company is able to do this because it usually sets up it manufacturing operations in areas where there are few other employment opportunities, so its workers are unlikely to leave for better paid jobs elsewhere with better working conditions. in addition, the company operate in countries whose governments are eager for the economic stimulus that EPZ operators provide, so local officials are disinclined to intervene on behalf of the workforce. furthermore, if economic development, or the arrival of other employers, leads to an increase in the cost of labor in one of its operations, this production company simply moves to another, less-developed location where it can once again run its operations at a minimum cost.

the employment practices of your potential suppliers make you feel rather uncomfortable. on the one hand you think about the ethical upside of doing business with this company, such as cheaper trainers for your customers and an increase in share value for you shareholders. Moreover as far as the company's workers are concerned, surely any job is better than no job. however you wonder if there is a way of getting you trainers made in a manner that causes you less ethical discomfort. you ask your self what immaneul kant might say about this issue.

1- what am I trying to achieve by my action?

2- what is the maxim upon which I am acting?

3- what would universal adoption of my maxim consist of ?

4- what would be the eventual result of universal adoption of my maxim?

5- how would this affect my success in achieving what I am trying to achieve ?

 

"Imagine that you are senior executive of a large sports goods manufacturer, who has been asked to establish a new manufacturing base for making training shoes. You are considering subcontracting this work to a Taiwanese-owned company that operates assembly plants on Export Processing Zones (EPZs) throughout Asia and Central America. You are attracted to this particular company because it can make your goods far more cheaply than they could be made anywhere else. But you are also aware that it achieves its low-cost base by using many of the labor practices criticized by Ethicists Scholars. This company is able to do this because it usually sets up its manufacturing operations in areas where there are few other employment opportunities, so its workers are unlikely to leave for better-paid jobs elsewhere with better working conditions. In addition, the company operates in countries whose governments are eager for the economic stimulus that EPZ operators provide, so local officials are disinclined to intervene on behalf of the workforce. Furthermore, if economic development, or the arrival of other employers, leads to an increase in the cost of labor in one of its operations, this production company simply moves to another, less-developed location where it can once again run its operations at minimum cost. The employment practices of your potential suppliers make you feel rather uncomfortable. On the one hand, you think about the ethical upside of doing business with this company, such as cheaper trainers for your customers and an increase in share value for your shareholders. Moreover, as far as the company's workers are concerned, surely any job is better that no job. However, you wonder if there is a way of getting your trainers made in a manner that causes you less ethical discomfort. You ask your-self what Immanuel Kant might say about this issue." Apply Kant's formula of Universal law. Remember to answer the following questions: 1. What am I trying to achieve by my action? 2. What is the maxim upon which I am acting? 3. What would universal adoption of my maxim consist of? 4. What would be the eventual result of universal adoption of my maxim? 5. How would this affect my success in achieving what I am trying to achieve? For the toolbar, press ALT F10 (PC) or ALT FN+F10 (Mac) BIVG Paragraph Arial EE v X. %0 ST 41. 10pt I. x 10 FOR 143 + (1) 3