Rising Above Sweatshops

by Hartman, Laura P.

• ISBN13: 9781567206180
• ISBN10: 1567206182
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2003-12-30
• Publisher: Praeger Pub Text

Summary

Workers have basic rights that should not be violated, notwithstanding the geographical locale of their work. But those rights often appear to conflict with the economic and commercial needs of both developing nations and multinational enterprises. Creative approaches are necessary if workers' rights are to coexist with commercial success, or even survival. This book introduces the current global labor milieu and showcases innovative solutions via original case studies (e.g., Nike, Levi Strauss), which demonstrate how multinational enterprises can respect worker rights while benefiting from the economic advantages of a global labor market. Part I provides an overview of global labor challenges from a broad variety of perspectives, including economics, public policy, philosophy, and strategic management. The facts and contention of the "new sweatshop" school of thought are analyzed, along with industrialization and utilization of labor in developing countries; the application of basic human rights to the circumstances of workers; the unique role of nongovernmental organizations in the debate over global labor practices; and the "Total Responsibility Management" approach to implementing improved labor practices. Part II analyzes case studies, based on original field research, of well-known global corporations. The examined programs provide examples of innovative responses by multinational firms, the International Labor Organization, and other NGOs to challenges regarding global labor practices. These cases can help other firms avoid the unhappy dilemma of either exploiting workers and enduring a public relations backlash, or terminating operations in various developing nations. The true solution lies in companies respecting worker rights, while benefiting from the economic advantages of a global labor market.

Author Biography

LAURA P. HARTMAN is Associate Vice President and Professor of Business Ethics, DePaul University.DENIS G. ARNOLD is Assistant Professor of Philosophy, University of Tennessee, Knoxville.RICHARD E. WOKUTCH is Pamplin Professor of Management, Pamplin College of Business, Virginia Tech.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Dedication

List of Illustrations

Foreword A: Practitioner by Ken Block and Frank Vogl

Foreword B: Academic by Norman E. Bowie

Rising above Sweatshops: An Introduction to the Text and to the Issues by Laura Hartman, Denis G. Arnold, and Sandra Waddock

Perspectives on Global Labor Practices and Challenges

The Global Context: Multinational Enterprises, Labor Standards and Regulations by Jill Murray

The Economic Context: Grounding Discussions of Economic Change and Labor in Developing Countries by Jonathan London

Philosophical Foundations: Moral Reasoning, Human Rights, and Global Labor Practices by Denis G. Arnold

Philosophy Applied I: How Non-Governmental Organizations and Multinational Enterprises Can Work Together to Protect Human Rights by Michael A. Santoro

Philosophy Applied II: Total Responsibility Management by Sandra Waddock and Charlie Bodwell

Program Studies of Innovation in the Management of Global Labor Challenges

Nike Inc.: Corporate Social Responsibility and Workplace Standard Initiatives in Vietnam by Laura Hartman and Richard E. Wokutch

Adidas-Salomon: Child Labor and Health and Safety Initiatives in Vietnam and Brazil by Laura Hartman, Richard E. Wokutch, and J. Lawrence French

Levi Strauss & Co.: Implementation of Global Sourcing and Operating Guidelines in Latin America by Tara J. Radin

Dow Chemical Corporation: Responsible Care Program in Thailand by Richard E. Wokutch

Pro-Child Institute: Combating Child Labor in the Brazilian Shoe Industry by J. Lawrence French and Richard E. Wokutch

International Labour Organization: Global Factory Improvement Programs by Charles Bodwell and Ivanka Mamic

Chiquita Brands International Inc.: Value-Based Management and the Value of Corporate Responsibility in Latin America by Tara J. Radin

Bibliography

Contributor Biographies

Subject Index