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What Does the Matsushita Case Teach You About the Relationship Between Societal Culture and Business Success?

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Hill 7e End of Part Case Notes

Part One: Globalization

There are no Part One cases.

Part Two: National Differences in Political Economy; Differences in Culture; Ethics in International Business

Nike: The Sweatshop Debate

1. Should Nike be held responsible for working conditions in foreign factories that it does not own, but where subcontractors make products for Nike?

Answer: Most students will probably agree that Nike should be held responsible for the working conditions in foreign factories where subcontractors make products the company sells. Students taking this perspective are likely to argue that since the workers are there to produce the products for Nike, the fact that the company does not actually own the facilities is immaterial – Nike is the beneficiary of the work done in the factory. Some students may suggest that Nike be resolved of some responsibility if the factories also produce products for other companies.

2. What labor standards regarding safety, working conditions, overtime, and the like, should Nike hold foreign factories to: those prevailing in that country or those prevailing in the United States?

Answer: The question of whether of whether to hold foreign factories to the same standards as domestic factories is difficult. Some students might argue that Nike should require all factories regardless of their location to maintain the same standards when it comes to working conditions, overtime, and so on. Other students however, may suggest that it would be completely out of line to pay workers the same wages around the world, or require factories to follow expensive safety procedures. Students taking this perspective might argue that doing so could push some factories out of business and leave workers in an even less desirable state. Some students might also argue that if working conditions, wages, and so forth are standardized

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