Read Case Eight, Mattel and Toy Safety, in the Business and Society section at the end of the book. This case describes the 2007 Mattel toy recalls, which were in response to findings that several children's toys were coated in lead-based paint.
Write an eight- to ten-page paper (not including the title and reference pages), that addresses the following:
1. Explain if Mattel acted in a socially responsible and ethical manner with regard to the safety of its toys.
2. Describe what Mattel should or could have done differently.
3. Describe who or what was responsible for the fact that children were exposed to potentially dangerous toys.
4. Explain the best way to ensure the safety of children's toys and consider how the following groups would respond: government regulators (in the United States and China); consumer advocates, the toy industry, children's product retailers, and standard-setting organizations. Explain the differences in their point of view.
5. Describe what you think is the best way for society to protect children from harmful toys and discuss the appropriate roles for various stakeholders in this process.