Assignment: Challenges in the Global Business Environment
According to the textbook, ongoing challenges in the global business environment are mostly attributed to unethical business practices, failure to embrace technology advancements, and stiff competition among businesses. Imagine that you have been appointed as Apple's Chief Compliance Officer and must prepare a presentation for Apple's suppliers regarding Apple's Supplier Code of Conduct to deliver via a web meeting. To prepare for your presentation, review Apple's Supplier Code of Conduct, located at https://www.apple.com/supplier-responsibility/.
Next, submit a four to six page paper on Apple's Code of Conduct.
Part 1: Paper
Prepare a four to six page paper in which you:
1. List specific changes that Apple has made to its Code of Conduct in recent years. Provide at least one example of each change.
Question 1 Clarifications/Guidelines:
For some perspective, think of this first part of the assignment as annual message to your supplier base. You want to share with your suppliers information about some of the salient changes that have been made to this year's Supplier Code of Conduct.
In order to do this, prepare by identifying areas that are the current focus of Apple's concern. Examine the 2016 Supplier Code of Conduct and explore the key areas:
• Accountability,
• Empowering Workers,
• Labor and Human Rights,
• Health & Safety, and
• Environment
Compare the 2016 report to the Apple's progress reports from recent years. Note progress reports are available from 2007 through the present.
Provide at least one example of each change. A thorough discussion will include more than one example and a substantive rationale for each change.
2. Explain the identified changes to the suppliers in such a way that they will understand the standards that Apple requires in order to maintain their relationship with the company.
Question 2 Clarifications/Guidelines:
In a simple, logical, concise, straightforward way
a) Identify the changes Apple made in the last year,
b) Explain why these changes were made, and
c) Why it is important for the suppliers to adopt these changes (WIIFM).