Good Company, Bad Company

[Name of the Course]

Abstract

This paper is to evaluate the ethical aspects of a for-profit organization. For this paper, NIKE, Inc. is my preferred corporation to be evaluated as a bad company, upon some of its practices, subjected to unethical behavior. In this research paper, I have highlighted some recent unethical practices by NIKE in various parts of the world, imposing its authority on weak labor employees, especially in the third world countries. Furthermore, I have evaluated such practices under the appropriate Ethical theory, and suitably justified its application in the framework of the practices. This research paper will guide a reader to understand, how large organizations practice unethical behaviors in open circumstances. In the end, I will also recommend suggestions, how this company can overcome those unethical practices or policies and restore its lost credibility.Good Company, Bad Company

Introduction of the Company

Established in the decade of 1960s under the title “Blue Ribbon Sports” followed by its revamp in 1970s, which led the organization to change its name, NIKE, is the world's leading American multinational business unit, currently led by Philip Knight, manufacturing and selling various sports related products, from sports goods to sportswear, includes equipment, apparel, footwear and services, catering to sports like Soccer, Basketball, Running and other men's and women's workout activities. Despite of these action sports, NIKE offers sportswear for golf and tennis under Hurley and Converse and has also started targeting adolescent and children, through marketing different sports and individual-athlete inspired products.

NIKE is one of the most well known sports brand in the world. It is denoted for its innovation, quality, and reliability. It has a plethora of popular products such as sneakers, sports equipment, clothing, accessories and various other products. NIKE has even been endorsed by one of the most popular sports figureheads of all time in Michael Jordan. NIKE constantly comes up with new innovations such as NIKE Air which greatly allows NIKE to leave their competition behind and become leaders of the pack. For these reasons it has a very high brand value which it capitalizes on. Despite being so popular and well known, NIKE has been plagued by various accusations regarding the use of child labor in its production facilities. Human Right activists blame NIKE for employing child labor and for paying these laborers far below the minimum wage. As a result, Nike has to diligently handle this sensitive situation to avoid any damage to its valuable brand name.

History of the Company

Philip Knight, along with his physical trainer Bill Bowerman, at the University of Oregon founded this organization in 1964, when they had decided to imported 300 pairs of Onitsuka track shoes from Japan, for $1000, and sell them in United States of America. Being a trainer, he believes in maximum performance and quality products. The imported track shoes were durable but not light enough to maximize efficiency. His curiosity for efficiency led him to rip tiger shoes apart to see how to make them even lighter. Thus, curiosity led creation of ...