It is evident that Apple is one of the leading technology companies in the world. The company has ventured into the manufacture of some of the most sold out products such as iPhone and Ipads in the global market. In the recent years, the company has also ventured into the manufacture of other electronic devices such as MacBook which has made the company to earn its recognition in the global market. However, the company has also faced several challenges regarding its code of conduct. In 2010, the management of the company had to make it clear some of the issues regarding the company's code of conduct. It was evident that the reputation of the company as tarnished by some of the employees who were not observing the company's code of conduct. Since Apple is an international company, it has opened branches in several parts of the world. The supplier code of conduct established by the company mist is inclusive of the people' culture and traditions. With globalization, people tend to adapt to new cultures as well as traditions. In that case, Apple has ensured flexibility regarding its code of conduct. It is important to note that some code of conduct tends to apply to all business. Apple's management has made several changes in the company's supplier's code of conduct over the recent years.
One of the Apple supplier codes of conduct that as established in 2015 was the issue of providing safe working conditions for the workers. Apple is a company that has opened its branches in cities all over the years. One of the facts is that the entire employee in those places tends to receive the same type of treatment (Bartholomew, 2010). For example, regarding offering certain motivational services, al the employee tend to receive the same. In that case, the company's code of conduct ensures that employee is comfortable while working for the company. It was noted that some employee in other parts of the world tends to affect certain challenges such as terrorism. This is mostly experienced in the Arabic nations. To ensure the safety of such employee, the company has increased the security measure for those people. Also, the company has employed the use of modern technology that would ensure the safety of the employees (Bartholomew, 2010). The supplier, on the other hand, tends to face similar challenges of insecurity. In that case, the company has ventured into the use of local suppliers in such areas. This will ensure that the supplier is aware of the situation and are not forced to work to deliver products to the company branches in those places.
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Observing environmental protection is another type of supplier code of conduct that is administered by Apple in the recent years. It was observed that the company must ensure that its activities are protective to the environment; for example, the supplier must ensure that all their activities with the company do not lead to any pollution to the environment (Bartholomew, 2010). In that way, the company has ensured that the supplier uses environment-friendly products in that process. With the increased level of pollution around the world, various governments have set several rules that regulate any pollution. In that case, the company has ensured that their entire supplier abides by such rules and regulations. For example, while producing certain products, the various chemical might be required which can lead to environmental pollution. In that case, the company has ensured that their suppliers use other means that would ensure that the environment is conserved.
Labor and human right is another supplier code of conduct that Apple has administered over the years. The supplier must ensure that all the human right acts are observed. This includes the provision of goods and services. It was observed that in the past years, the suppliers were engaging in other activities which were not according to the human rights provision. In that manner, it was clear that the company needs to adjust such code of conduct to ensure that it maintains its good reputation in the global market (Thompson, 2014). For example, it is not right for the company to ensure that its supplier delivers product to areas that are faced with the various type of terrorist activities. As much as they need that contract, they are putting their lives in danger. Based on that, the company ensured that its code of conduct provides safety of such people. Discrimination was another act included in the human rights act. It was indicated that the supplier must not be involved in any discrimination while offering their services (Thompson, 2014). Since Apple is an international company, it sells its product to the diverse type of groups. In that case, it is likely that the supplier might discriminate people based on their race, religion, the gender or even ethnicity. By establishing that code of conduct, the supplier must ensure that they act within the law.
Wages and benefit was another supplier code of conduct that was included in the recent years. The company ensured that all the employees were given equal treatment in term of wages and benefits. The suppliers were supposed to deliver certain services that would ensure that they earn bonuses. This type of bonus was same for the suppliers around the world. However, the company established other facts that must be put into consideration such as the amount of products supplies for them to earn a certain amount of business. This was a way of motivating them to increase their production.
Management practices are also a supplier code of conduct that the company changed in the recent years. The code of conduct is about the provision of service delivery. It was agreed that the supplier must ensure good service delivery in all aspects. With the increased level of competition in the market, it was important for the company to ensure good service delivery. In that case, the supplier was supposed to ensure that they were well equipped when it comes to the issue of service delivery. In fact, Apple established various penalties for suppliers who were not observing that code of conduct (Lawrence, 2013). The management was very strict on how the supplier was delivering their services both to the company and to the customers. The move ensured that the company increased its profit in the global market. Most of the customers were very pleased with the type of service delivery from the suppliers.
The suppliers are supposed to observe all the codes of conduct set by the company to maintain its good reputation with the management. It was observed that the suppliers were also a representation of the company in a way on the outside market. In that case, if they fail to work within that code of conduct, it will have a gustative impact to the company's image.
References
Bartholomew, K. (2010). Speak your truth: Proven strategies for effective nurse-physician communication. Marblehead, MA: HCPro.
Thompson, A. A., Gamble, J., Peteraf, M. A., & Strickland, A. J. (2014). Crafting and executing strategy: Concepts and readings.
Lawrence, A. T., & Weber, J. (2013). Business and society: Stakeholders, ethics, public policy.
