Nike Essay, Research Paper
The athletic apparel industry in which Nike is involved is a major money maker in the United States, but the fact that none of the factories are located in North America has brought some heat to the company. Nike controls more than 40 percent of the U.S. Market for sports related goods, but doesn t have a single sneaker factory in this country (Miller 1). Nike continues to make millions of dollars yet exploits workers overseas by paying them very little, while requiring long hours without overtime pay in factories that are not up to American standard. Nike subcontractors employ nearly 500,000 workers in plants in Indonesia, China and Vietnam (Saporito 1). The exploitation of workers in Third World counties, where the majority of Nike s labor is done sparks a controversial issue. People question why is it that Nike continues these practices.
According to Just do it, Nike, Nike seems especially fond of doing business in undemocratic countries like China and Indonesia, where the military can be relied upon to crack heads if workers get out of line (Miller 2). The military monitoring has been a large controversy due to the fact that these are often Chinese working against other Chinese workers, or Vietnamese against their own people also. For Nike there are two benefits: it it s a cheap way to monitor in an overseas factory and it creates a sheaper labor workforce. In turn making the labor cheaper for Nike. This makes it possible for Nike workers from the states to work on other things and only tour the factories when nessecary. While still assuming a stable workforce without good pay. The critics of Nikes labor practices have taken tours and witnessed the mistreatment firsthand. Time magazine reported saying, The plants were found to be modern and clean, well lighted and ventilated and paying a decent wage by local standards although by no means are they trouble free. Make no mistake: these are factories not amusement parks, and even in developing Asia, where jobs are scarce and getting scarcer, this is not the job of choice. (Saporito 1)
The wages that the workers overseas are paid is nothing when compared to how much we pay for a pair of shoes or the profit that CEO Phil Knight is making off his sportswear giant he once operated out of the back of his car as a college student.
A big issue that surrounds sweatshops is wage. The minimum wage often does not reflect the cost of living. (Hepner Online)
Is the wage fair? There are many people who feel the wage is fair and the cost of living is taken into account when the wage is looked at, but studies show otherwise in many factories. Just recently, CNN reported a raise to entry level workers in Indonesia, Nike officials said the increase will raise the minimum monthly compensation package which includes bonuses, housing, healthcare, transportation and meal allowances to approximately
$37.14 a month. (Nike Establishes Labor Online) To many people living in the U.S., that package may sound good however the compensation package doesn t do away with the long hours, the poor conditions or the low rate of pay. Many of these workers are young children working to help support their families. The benefits do not make up for the low pay rates that keep them in the work force. The pay is only enough to get by where these children want to be saving in order to leave the factories and return home.
In Taking a Look inside Nike s Factories , part of Bill Saporito s, Can Nike Get Unstuck? this is what was found. Americans pay $100 for a pair of shoes that a worker gets less than $3 a day to make. They pay Michael Jordan $40 million to endorse them. Can t they find more money to pay the workers? The short answer is no, because corporations pay the going rate for labor whereever they are. (Saporito 1) If this statement is true Nike pays the wage for the country the factory is in, then what is the controversy about?
Much of it stems from the overtime that these workers are forced to work without over time compensation. Here in the United States there are regulations placed on businesses that require then to compensate their workers with a higher wage for over time hours. So since Nike is an U.S. based company should Nike have to pay overtime? The answer is no. Nike doesn t have to pay overtime like here in the U.S. so they don t.
In Vietnam Workers so want a reduction in overtime, the length of annual leave for the Indonesian workers making Nike shoes is more than 30 days though dozens of workers interviewed in November, said the actual amount is 10 days. (Ballinger 2)
There has been evidence of Nike breaking at least nine labor laws in China according to AMRC; a Hong Kong based human rights group that has been monitoring the abuse of human rights in China for the last 20 years. Children as young as 13, were found employed in Nike factories, working from 144-192 overtime hours per month to make ends meet. (Designer 1) Ernest and Young, an accounting firm, hired by Nike, to do research and the issue reported conditions in Vietnam where young women toil sixty-five hour weeks for $10, in air so bad that 78 percent of the employees have respiratory problems. (Miller1)
Factory workers endure abuse on the job lacking a voice or ablility to do anything about it. Since Nike contracts out for their factory managers, it has been hard for Nike to regulate what goes on when they are not on their tour or walk through. A Korean supervisor in a Vietnam factory was found guilty of beating 15 Vietnamese about the head with a shoe upper , and another Korean supervisor was charged with sexual molestation. (Saporito 3) In this instance it was not an U.S. supervisor, nor was it a military officer but someone of a different nationality. The hard part is that there are no independent unions and meaningful corporate codes of conduct to discipline management. So workers must turn to the courts for help which is a long fought battle that no one wants to attempt. In one case that made it to, a Vietnamese court recently found a Korean supervisor guilty of beating workers and extradition may be sought for the accused sexual molester who fled. In Indonesia 24 discharged Nike workers are challenging the legality of their dismissal before the country s Supreme Court (Saporito 3). These are major breakthroughs in the court systems to have someone tried and convicted in these distant countries whose courts are often corrupted.
Factory conditions are consistently getting press here in the U.S., as many are angry with Nike for not providing for their overseas employees. The following account is of the conditions in a Chiniese factory:
Twelve hour shifts several days a week; wages as low as 16 cents and hour; 16 workers to a dorm room; pregnant women fired. Workers are not allowed to talk. There is constant pressure to produce workers are yelled at. If you don t meet your high production quota you must stay until you do-without pay. The factory is noisy, filled with dust and fumes. Workers have fainted, overcome by the long hours and the glue fumes. One worker died; another lost an arm; other has had their fingers broken by the equipment. Most workers have never heard of the Nike code of conduct. There is no union and workers are afraid that if they complain, they will be fired. When a group of workers stopped working in March to protest had not been paid, they were fired. The supervisor warns workers in advance of any inspection, the factory is cleaned and if workers are interviewed it is in the presence of factory management. ( The Neediest and the Greediest 4)
This is only one description of the factory conditions and the requirements that are put on the workers of these factories, on contract with Nike.
In order to deal with the criticism Nike gets about working conditions and pay, Nike Inc recently established a new department with a mandate to continue to evolve it s monitoring of subcontracted manufacturing facilities and to continue to upgrade conditions for workers in subcontracted facilities around the world. ( Nike establishes 1) This department will monitor, compensation issues, benefits, the work environments, recruiting and hiring policies, overtime policies, worker management, environmental issues and supervision of independent monitoring systems. All these are large steps by Nike to improve it s factories and to repair the relations with people here in the U.S. who are appalled by the reports of poor work environment workers are forced to endure.
The company has been tarred by an image as a sweatshop operator that exploits Asian workers who make shoes and apparel for Nike subcontractors. Nike s efforts to be a good corporate citizen, and they have been considerable, have yet to sway the public forum. Basically, our culture, and our style, is to be a rebel, and we sort of enjoy doing that, says Knight, who created a jock empire based on hero worship backed up with good product and great advertising. Now that we reached a certain size there s a fine line between being rebel and being a bully, and yeah, we have to walk that line. (Saporito 6) According to Knight he will continue to make the sport-wear giant successful any way he can. The estimated net worth of co founder and current CEO Phil Knight is $5.4 billion, one of the wealthiest people in America. (Miller 1)
The issue remains whether the sports wear giant, Nike, will continue to do work in other countries, where labor is cheap and regulations are few, and not monitored on a normal basis. Nike will continue to exploit workers in these countries as long as America continues to buy the products. Nike, who recently spent $978 million in one year on advertising worldwide, depends upon Americans and their children to purchase its sneakers. Yet it locates 150 factories and some 350,000 jobs in Asia. Knight recently made the absurd and arrogant statement that, Americans don t want to make shoes. (Sanders 2)
Is CEO Phil Knight right? Are American workers not willing to make the shoes that are so popular in stores and classrooms across the nation. If so, the exploitation will continue and Nike workers will remain underpaid and over worked in poor working conditions.
Другие работы по теме:
Slave Labor By Te US Essay Research
Paper Nike is an over-hyped shoe company whose commercials show Michael Jordan soaring five-hundred feet off the ground, jamming the ball through the rim, second making us believe we could fly if we had their shoes. Nike gets its money by pricing their so-called, top of the line athletic shoes for $125 and up. (Yamada, Masako.np.) Millions of kids in the U.S. buy these shoes because they are endorsed by some of the greatest athletes on earth, such as Griffey Jr., Johnson, and Hardaway.
The Possession From The Past Essay Research
Paper The first time I saw him was about five years ago. His name was Bobby, and he was a dog in a pet store. Bobby was attractive and amicable, so I bought him as my pet. We then became friends. Bobby played an important role in my life; He was my athletic partner, he was loyal to me, and I went through some states of depression with him.
Shock Treatment
– Nike Advertising Essay, Research Paper Title Shock Treatment Every company that has a product to sell wants to have their advertisements grab the attention of the potential buyer. Companies today are competing at high levels to come up with the advertisements that will be flashy and aggressive so consumers will become interested in their product.
Ethics For A New Millinium Essay Research
Paper Ethics for a New Millinium In a rapidly growing market, responsible and reliable service is a must for any business to be successful. Ensuring ethics in the work place not only makes for more productive workers, it also insures happy customers. If ethical behavior is not followed by employees on all levels, the productivity will be affected.
Advertisment Tactics Essay Research Paper When reviewing
Advertisment Tactics Essay, Research Paper When reviewing advertisements over a twenty-four hour period, one notices that there are a variety of weasel words and different tactics such as unfinished words and personification used to persuade the consumer to buy a certain product. Weasel words are words that appear to make a claim for a product, but in actuality, they don t.
Hockey Essay Research Paper Companies extend to
Hockey Essay, Research Paper Companies extend to great lengths to push their products. Advertising is a multi-billion dollar a year industry. Most companies are willing to put up millions of dollars in advertising to wager that their cleverness will sell their product. Nike has taken an unusual approach to this in the attached ad.
Hazing Essay Research Paper Hazing is defined
Hazing Essay, Research Paper Hazing is defined by the FIPG (Fraternity Insurance Purchasing Group) as: “Any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off fraternity premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities may include but are not limited to the following: use of alcohol; paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shocks; quests, treasure hunts, scavenger hunts, road trips or any other such activities carried on outside or inside of the confines of the chapter house; wearing of public apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual or policy or the regulations and policies of
Work Or Hell Essay Research Paper 37000
Work Or Hell? Essay, Research Paper 37,000 transnational or multinational corporations with their 200,000 subsidiaries control 75 percent of all world trade in commodities, manufactured goods, and services. These corporations, such as Nike, Reebok, and Levi?s, are cheating other small countries that manufacture their products.
Unions Essay Research Paper The Role Of
Unions Essay, Research Paper The Role Of Unions in SocietyIn the past, unions were established to protect the dignity and the basic rights of the worker. Union protection of the worker is genuine in well-established countries. Unfortunately, in third world countries workers do not enjoy the benefits of suitable wages, sick leave, and respect from their employer.
Nike Essay Research Paper In 1957 a
Nike Essay, Research Paper In 1957, a Coach and an athlete met at the University of Oregon, and together they went on to establish the most successful athletic footwear company in the world. Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight are these founders. The history of Nike can be split up into sections of three decades. From 1961 to 1971, Knight decided that dealing Tiger, a Japanese company, would break up the World domination in athletic shoes by Germany.
Nike Shoe Factory Controversy Essay Research Paper
Nike Shoe Factory Controversy There has been a lot of controversy lately about the working conditions and low wages in overseas Nike shoe factories. This controversy has affected thousands of overseas workers, hurt the economy of Indonesia, decreased the gross revenue generated by the Nike Corporation, and lowered the overall opinion of the corporation.
Nike Company Profile Essay Research Paper I
Nike Company Profile Essay, Research Paper I- COMPANY PROFILE 1) Nike?s overview Nike Inc. was incorporated in 1968 under the laws of the state of Oregon, USA. The general business activities can be described as follows: design, development, and global marketing of high quality footwear, equipment and accessory products.
Sucess From Creatine Essay Research Paper Success
Sucess From Creatine Essay, Research Paper Success From Creatine Many people in athletics avoid using creatine monohydrate because they do not know much about it. They are convinced that something that can help athletes achieve
Social Groups Essay Research Paper There are
Social Groups Essay, Research Paper There are various social groups in our school and town. They form into different types of groups. Some of these are grouped by racial background, athletic abilities, hobbies, and intelligence. Usually racial groups, people of the same race stay together. There are a mediocre amount of athletic ability groups.
History Of Lacrosse Essay Research Paper What
History Of Lacrosse Essay, Research Paper What is Lacrosse? Summary: Lacrosse is the oldest sport in North America, and dates back to the 1400 s. Lacrosse did not become well know until the 1600 s.
Sneaker Industry Essay Research Paper The athletic
Sneaker Industry Essay, Research Paper The athletic shoe industry is one of the largest markets in the United States today. This segment operates globally with many competitors. This industry provides us with T-shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, shorts and of course, athletic footwear. Three major corporations dominate the industry itself: Nike, Adidas, and Reebok.
Rewarding Special Talents Essay Research Paper Rewarding
Rewarding Special Talents Essay, Research Paper Rewarding Special Talents For many years now, advocates for giving out scholarships based only on financial need have been pushing to remove special abilities from the criteria to award the money. This proposed system is already in use in the form of financial aid.
Nike Essay Research Paper In 1958
Nike Essay, Research Paper In 1958 the beginning of NIKE Inc. came about when Coach Bill Bowermen and business student Phil Knight, both from the University of Oregon, felt the need for a better athletic shoe. Through
Nike Essay Research Paper IntroductionFormer University of
Nike Essay, Research Paper IntroductionFormer University of Oregon track coach and co-founder of Nike Bill Bowerman once said: ?If you have a body, you are an athlete!? (NikeBiz) This way of thinking is how Nike conducts every aspect of their business. Every person is a potential athlete or ?consumer?. This is a common term when used in the realm of athletics but when Bill Bowerman said this it was in direct reference to the shoe industry.
The Great Gatsby Nick
– A Good And Neutral Narrator Essay, Research Paper The Great Gatsby: Nick – A Good and Neutral Narrator In today society, many people like to follow the current. They want
Shoe Industry Essay Research Paper Shoe
Shoe Industry Essay, Research Paper Shoe Industry The shoe industry is one of the biggest moneymakers in the market, but it?s facing many changes, rushes, and difficulties. The big power in the industry is Nike inc. which all the other companies are trying to be like. Some changes are the industry as a whole is moving there factories to the far east such as China.
Goals Essay Research Paper GOALS IN LIFEHigh
Goals Essay, Research Paper GOALS IN LIFE High school is a very important time in a persons life. This is the time to set goals. We not only set goals, but set out to find solutions. My first goal in no particular order is to become a good athlete. My next goal is to be a good student and graduate high school, with a 3.0 GPA.
Nike Business Practices Essay Research Paper Throughout
Nike Business Practices Essay, Research Paper Throughout much of South-East Asia and particularly Indonesia, Nike factory workers struggle within a system that devalues their work and prevents them from adequately supporting themselves and their families. Despite these factors, there is a strong yet unfounded belief that “these are great jobs for those people.”
Visual Advertising Essay Research Paper Visual AdvertisingThe
Visual Advertising Essay, Research Paper Visual Advertising The world of advertising is the foundation for how a company communicates its product to the consumers. Here a complex struggle takes place continually to gain the attention, even for a second, of a potential buyer. The footwear industry is no exception, and when combined with the semiotics of today s culture advertising campaigns often are a chore to understand.
Advertising Critique Essay Research Paper The first
Advertising Critique Essay, Research Paper The first of the three ads that I have selected is from The New Yorker magazine. It is an ad for Russell Athletic. This is a company that makes sports wear. In the ad, you see a man wearing their product. The man is vigorously working out and is in good shape. The outfit from Russell Athletic is supposed to perform, according to the caption on the left.
Influence Of Media Essay Research Paper The
Influence Of Media Essay, Research Paper The media has affected me in a variety of ways. I am manipulated by the media through images and symbols which are portrayed through it. It has influenced my lifestyle, personality and opinions.
Nike Essay Research Paper Nike is a
Nike Essay, Research Paper Nike is a huge supplier if athletic shoes for the world these days. Philip H. Knight, the founder of this corporation came up with an idea of an athletic shoe at the track field of the University of Oregon.
Nike Essay Research Paper Nike is the
Nike Essay, Research Paper Nike is the most popular brand in the American, even the whole world. It offers all the athletic shoes, clothe, watch and all the things you will wear in a sport. Almost every American will have at least one or two pairs of Nike shoes, which we can see how popular the company is and how well the qualities of their products are.
Nike Goddess Of Victory Essay Research Paper
Nike: Goddess of Victory Who was Nike? Nike, according to Greek mythology, was the winged goddess of victory. Nike was the daughter of Athena and the god of the River Styx. Nike sat beside Zeus in Olympus. She helped in the battle with the Titans, and helped Zeus achieve victory. The Titans, according to mythology, created the earth, and ruled it till they were overthrown by the Olympian gods.
Athletic Trainers Essay Research Paper An athletic
Athletic Trainers Essay, Research Paper An athletic traine seeking employment in today?s job market is likely to encounter many problems and obstacles along the way. The need for higher education greatly affects the prospect for the athletic trainer with only the baccaulereate degree. Those with this degree are better suited to seek employment in the rehabilitative therapy clinic setting.
Athletic Training Essay Research Paper 1 The
Athletic Training Essay, Research Paper 1. The occupation is an athletic trainer. The job description is to work with athletes in an effort to prevent injuries. They work in amateur and professional sports. Once injuries occur, the athletic trainer is required to evaluate the problem and get the athlete the proper medical treatment.
Athletic Scholarships Essay Research Paper There are
Athletic Scholarships Essay, Research Paper There are many good athletes in professional sports today. There are many good athletes in college sports today also. Some of the biggest names in sports are Mark McGwire, Steve Young, Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and so on. Now, imagine if all of those players never made it to the pros.
Nike Essay Research Paper Nike Web Page
Nike Essay, Research Paper Nike Web Page Companies and other organizations use internet/web sites for different purposes. In general, a web site provides an interface while the Internet provides cost-effective communication capabilities. For this project assignment, the Nike Corporation was chosen and will be dissected for information technology analysis.
Symbols Of Women Essay Research Paper Symbols
Symbols Of Women Essay, Research Paper Symbols of Women There are many symbols placed on women in today’s society. These symbols act as stereotypes that usually degrade women on a daily basis. However, many of these symbols are just a term, and have no meaning behind them. An example of this is the reference of women being referred to as “dogs.”
Cambodia Essay Research Paper Cambodia is known
Cambodia Essay, Research Paper Cambodia is known for its war torn history as well as its factor in international business. By using Griffins framework, and reading the article A Bumpy Road to Reform out of the September 11. 2000 issue of Business Week it is easy to see why such large companies such as Nike, Target, Gap, JC Penny and Wal-Mart see interest in this war ravaged nation in need of export earnings and investment.