Professor Siddarth Kara alleges that "every lithium battery-powered tech device relied on today by the western world is powered by slavery in cobalt mines in the Congo".

Southern Congo sits on an estimated 3.4 million metric tons of cobalt, nearly half of the worlds known cobalt supply. Applying SDG 8: Decent work and Economic Growth, you will research the role played by Apple Inc. in the sourcing and application of cobalt from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The aim of this assessment is to make you familiar with the challenges of addressing the big question discussed throughout the session: "How should businesses operate responsibly in the sourcing and use of minerals?"

The assessment is designed to develop and assess your understanding of the challenging ethical, theoretical, and operational debates relating to the big question. You are required to apply theory and frameworks discussed in the subject to analyse and appraise issues linked to the big question.

Report sections: Your report must have the following sections.

1. A brief introduction to SDG8 (200 words)

2. An explanation on how addressing the big question through SDG8 will impact the technology industry and society (200 words)

3. A discussion on TWO key changes Apple has implemented to align with SDG8. Include details of the what, how and why aspects of these two changes in your discussion (600 words)

4. Using Kantianism, a critical analysis of the extent to which the TWO SDG8 alignment initiatives identified in 3 above can impact (700 words)

(i) individuals

(ii) organisations

(iii) society

5. If you are a consultant to Apple Inc., identify and justify TWO recommendations you would propose to the CEO to operate the sourcing and use of cobalt more responsibly (300 words)