Reference no: EM133506681

Question 1:

Watch the news video (10+ minutes) and create your response to the three questions below:

1. Top Glove currently ships its product to 195 countries, including the United States, Great Britain, and the European Union countries. In fact, early in the COVID-19 pandemic, the European Union and Britain pushed for the factory to work 24/7 to increase production. Reflect on the ethics of the situation. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many parts of the world faced unprecedented demand for gloves. But the gloves were being produced in sweatshop conditions. Is it right to continue to buy them? Is there an alternative? Justify your answer.

2. Despite previous concerns that Top Glove may have been violating basic human rights, Britain's National Health System (NHS) continued to purchase gloves made by Top Glove. Is doing so, to what extent would the NHS be complicit in facilitating modern slavery?

And what about the responsibility of shareholders in Top Glove? Do they have a moral responsibility to demand change? Consider the optics of a wealthy developed country capitalising on the efforts of workers from 4th world countries. What example does this set for the world?

3. Discuss the role of suppliers in ensuring that the companies from which their products are sourced provide safe working conditions for their employees.

Is it fair to demand that companies like Polyco Healthline, a supplier to Britain's National Health Service (NHS), audit its suppliers like Top Glove?

Question 2

1. Devise two examples: one in which a firm's participation in a social issue adds value to the shareholders and one in which it decreases value in the eyes of the shareholders.

2. Using a resource-based view, explain why some firms improve their economic performance by adopting a CSR strategy, whereas others achieve either no results or damaging results.

3. Do you think "green practices" should be voluntary or mandatory for businesses? Explain your answer.

4. ON ETHICS: In your opinion, do you think an MNE should remain politically neutral and adopt the practices and laws of the host country?

5. As a manager, what are some of the considerations you would take into account before adopting any CSR-related policy?

6. Using Peng Atlas Map 4.3, which country, from a profit perspective, would be at the greatest risk if your firm aggressively pursued in CSR values regarding human rights?