Sweatshop Labor Marketing Research Assignment Papaer (Essay Sample)

Sweatshop Labor
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According to (Shaw et al 2006) , fair trade is exhibited when there is a safeguard of both fair cost prices plus fair work conditions for suppliers and producers, thus enhancing equitable trade agreements. In the bid to maintain fair trade, customer concern is raised upon product sectors such as clothing and fashion. In fact (Ross, 2004) has noted that sweatshops are strongly linked to being the root causes of poverty, injustice and inequality in the word.
Consumer demands affect the company`s business decisions due to creation of an unhealthy competition (Rigby 2013). It is viewed from the perspective of business that the sweatshops form a lucrative business by capitalizing on low wage labor thus reducing production costs. According to a study by (Paharia 2014), it shows that if consumers possess a strong desire for a specific product made through sweatshop labor, then the individual is likely to be in agreements with the involved economic "justifications." The study further notes that an exclusive offer or great sales can also trigger an increase in the value and desirability of a product, therefore justifying further the labor practices that are used to generate the product. Lastly, favoritism and brand loyalty cause consumers to exercise excuses upon certain firms from unethical practices upon individual examination. Thus, a company`s business decisions can be affected by consumer i.e. a conviction that sweatshops form a realistic source of capital income gained by workers in underdeveloped countries (Rigby 2013).
In a study by (Ewanow et al 2005), in spite of consumers being in possession of higher level of awareness concerning ethical issues, effects disclose that factors like style, price and quality contains a larger influence on their behaviors for purchasing of apparel when comparison is done with their worries about the supplier`s ethical practices. According to (Esbenshade, 2009) this is termed as corporate social responsibility since through such businesses, social concerns are catered for in addition to the company`s own economic well-being. Corporate social responsibility refers to the obligation accorded towards the society by the business (Harrison & Scorse 2010). Because of such reasons, companies are affected into thinking that sweatshops presents the necessary step for development and modernization.
Ethical based behavior and ethical decision making in the business world is determined by a range of factors (Rigby 2013). According to his research, codes of conduct and ethical leadership are the factors granted substantial consideration when employees do ethical decision making. On the other hand, their own individual ethics plus the effect on family, form another primary factors that are considered in an economy that is struggling (Rigby 2013). Individuals and firms engage in selfish and unethical behavior in order to obtain their desirable outcomes such as monetary gains. Apparel firms which utilize foreign suppliers in contrary to the above are facing increased scrutiny recently as a result of consumer and governmental concerns over the utilization of “sweatshop” labor for the production of clothing. Consequently, purchase managers for some developed countries such as the United States apparel retailers and manufacturers have experienced challenges to make sure their goods are produced under humanitarian, equitable conditions. Thus from such expositions about sweatshop labor it can be summed as being unethical since it conflicts with the requirement to honor basic human rights i.e. fair and humane working conditions.
Companies influence their ethical environment through various ways which is inclusive of sweatshops, brands, artistic control among others. For example it has been reported regularly of anti-sweatshop groups which sprung up in learning institutions where clothing manufacturers are picketed together with toy makers and retailers. Also in another case, concerning wages, it was recorded that about 56% workers felt that they were receiving underpayment for their labor (Bernstein 2000:147). In the case of sweatshops, the economic responsibilities...