Csr Tutorial 4 Apple Supplier

CSR FE1 EDHEC Nice, Course 2016

Tutorial 4

Apple's supply chain responsibility - The struggle for

credibility:

Disclosure and counter-disclosure

Case

Working conditions in Apple's supply chain for its popular devices such as iPads and iPhones regularly

come under criticism:

- In 2012, for example, The New York Times, in its Pulitzer Prize winning series iEconomy,

reported about working conditions at Apple's suppliers, in particular at Foxconn (Hon Hai

Precision Industry Co., Ltd.).

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/26/business/ieconomy-apples-ipad-and-the-humancosts-for-workers-in-china.html?_r=0

- Or, the NGO, SACOM (Students and Scholars against Corporate Misbehavior), frequently

addresses working conditions in Apple's supply chain. In 2012 SACOM addressed an open

letter to Apple’s (then) CEO Tim Cook criticizing working conditions at Foxconn and asking

Apple to remedy the situation: http://sacom.hk/archives/925. SACOM continues until today

to call into question Apple's behavior with suppliers.

http://sacom.hk/statement-supporting-%E2%80%9Clet%E2%80%99s-tackle-appleaction%E2%80%9D-of-may-of-solidarity-in-europe/

http://sacom.hk/open-letter-not-only-not-perfect-aware-of-wrongs-yet-unwilling-to-changean-open-letter-from-the-ilabour-action-group-to-foxconn-technology-group/

At the same time, Apple's claims to have one of the most efficient and ethically sound supply chain

management systems in place. To substantiate its claims Apple discloses supplier lists, and an annual

"supplier responsibility" progress report. It also worked with the Fair Labour Association (FLA) to

address supply chain issues:

- See the 2015 supplier responsibility progress report (posted on Blackboard) and consult:

http://www.apple.com/supplier-responsibility/

- To respond to allegations of poor working conditions at Foxconn, Apple asked the FLA to

carry out an investigation at Foxconn and report about it. The report is posted on Blackboard.

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