The measures and laws to restrict gun violence are traditionally discussed in the American society in association with the shocking events when adults or teenagers use guns against the public. The problem is in the fact that gun assaults are typical for the American society. Thus, the necessity to restrict the access to purchasing guns is discussed during a long period of time. Today, few people are opposite to the idea that guns should be restricted. These persons can support their vision with references to the issue of human rights and freedoms to protect their life and property, but the everyday realities provide the evidence that gun violence increases.
The situation at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, required the immediate response to control gun violence. Thus, the first new restricting law was signed in the state of New York. From this point, new restricting laws and measures to regulate the situation with gun violence can be discussed as the effective legitimate steps because they respond to the public’s vision of the problem, and the measures are necessary to decrease the rate of homicides and teenagers’ violent attacks.
The debates on the necessity of gun control and restricting laws and measures have a long history, but the first steps to restrict gun violence were made only in January, 2013. Andrew Cuomo, the Governor in New York, signed the restricting law on gun control in the state to improve the current situation and make the environment safer for the public. The new law broadens the definition of “what is considered an assault weapon and reduces the permissible size of gun magazines to 7 rounds, from 10”, and the law includes provisions “to better keep firearms away from mentally ill people” (Kaplan). The first restricting laws and measures can be discussed as the positive tendency to overcome the problem because the rate of mass shootings depends on the public’s access to guns.
The rate of homicides and mass shootings in the USA is significant. The fact is 70% of homicides in the USA are committed using guns (Stell 37-38). According to Stell, “carefully-crafted, well-enforced firearms control policies can contribute to marginal reductions in criminal violence” (Stell 38). As a result, the way to decrease the rate of homicides and mass shootings is to work out the effective restricting laws and measures to prevent gun violence affected by the uncontrolled usage of weapons by mentally ill people or teenagers.
Children and teenagers’ gun assaults are the most shocking for the public. The tragic situation at Columbine High School in 1999 provoked the development of gun control debates, which resulted in stating the necessity to develop effective restricting laws (Lawrence and Birkland 1193). However, the necessary changes in legal questions were not done, and the similar tragic events repeated. The violent shootings at the elementary school in Newtown in 2012 accentuated the immediate necessity to act and control the uses of guns. That is why, new laws on gun control can become the main measure to stop mass shootings at schools.
The laws and measures to control gun violence will be effective to overcome the problem, if these laws are significantly stricter than the current regulations. The law signed in New York can be discussed as the first possible variant to improve the situation and stop the further development of gun violence in the country. The reactions and responses to mass shootings should result in legitimate regulations to cope with the issue and reduce the rate of homicides.
Works Cited
Kaplan, Thomas. Sweeping Limits on Guns Become Law in New York. 2013. Web.
Lawrence, Regina, and Thomas Birkland. “Guns, Hollywood, and School Safety: Defining the School-Shooting Problem Across Public Arenas”. Social Science Quarterly 85.5 (2004): 1193-1207. Print.
Stell, Lance. “The Production of Criminal Violence in America: Is Strict Gun Control the Solution?” Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics 32.1 (2004): 38-46. Print.
US Economy And Its Impact On Transportation And Logistics
Introduction
The US economy and transportation and logistics management are intertwined. A strong economy makes the management of transportation and logistics more effective. Quality transportation and logistics management results in a strong financial system. After years of recession, the US economy is gradually recovering. Indeed, the fluctuation in the economy has a notable impact on transportation and logistics management. However, few studies have been conducted to determine the effect of the economy on transportation and logistics management. The research paper will seek to seal this gap.
Problem Statement
Most studies have focused on other factors that affect transportation and logistics management, such as the security of the supply chain, working hours, and professionalism in the industry. Moreover, economists have largely focused on the influence that logistics and transportation management has on the economy. The inverse is barely considered. Failure to understand the economy is likely to cripple down any industry. The US has just begun recovering from the impact of the global recession that crippled various sectors of the economy. Inadequate research on the impact of the economy on transportation and logistics management has led to poor supply chain management, the inflexible cost of transportation, inflation, and eventually reduced consumer spending. Hence, there is a need to address this gap in research. Besides, there is a need for administrators to learn how to manage the supply during the economic recession and upturn to limit any negative impact on transportation and logistics management.
Research Questions
The research paper will seek to address the following questions:
- What is the impact of economic recession and upturn on transportation and logistics management?
- How can transport and logistics be managed during the economic downturn and upturn?
Literature Review
The Scope of Logistics Economic Impact
This section will comprehensively discuss the cyclical connection between transportation and logistics management and the economy. To make the issue more explicable, the section will first explain the range of logistics and transportation networks with the view of showing how they affect the economy. The section will include road and rail transport, maritime transport systems, as well as the impact of the aviation industry on the financial system. Through the discussion, the research will reveal how the transport and logistics help to improve output benefit, reduce operations cost, and/or limit the burden of accessing commodities for both suppliers and customers.
It will then proceed to explain how the economy affects the transportation system. In addition, the manner in which the economy affects the decisions that are made by companies with respect to managing the supply chain management will be outlined. To achieve this goal, various peer-review journals by authors who strived to explain their understanding of the topic will be analyzed. The evaluation will be based on the current economic, transportation, and fuel price charts.
The Great Recession and its Effect on Logistics and Transport Systems
In this section, the rise and the impact of the US economic recession will be reviewed in detail. Foremost, it will introduce the reader to the meaning of economic downturn and possible causes. It will then point out the consequences of the confluence issues such as bad loans, unprofessional work by the rating agencies, lenient regulatory laws, ill-advised issuance of incentive, as well as financial regulations that influence the interest rates (Dartez, 2013). It will also contrast the 2007 economic downturn with other previous crises.
The paper will then address the effects of the financial crisis and, in particular, mention some of the issues that were directly caused by the economic recession but ones, which existed only because the crisis transpired. It will examine how the situation affected the daily lifestyle of the Americans, as well as the psychological effect it left on most individuals. Furthermore, the section will also consider some of the policies the US enacted to avert the calamity. Ultimately, using records from analysts and government statistics, it will showcase how the deterioration of the economy affected the logistics and transport sector. It will divulge on areas such as the cost of production, consumer spending, infrastructure, fuel cost, and the flexibility of the flow of goods to various destinations. It will analyze both the positive and negative impacts of the recession. Through the discussion, the reader will determine the actual influence that a weak economy has on its supply chain.
Economic Upturn and Its Impact on the Transportation and Logistics Management
Statistical findings indicate that it is not only the US economy recovering but also the global economy. This economic upturn will indeed have some drastic impact on the transport and logistics sector. This section will focus on how the economic revival will affect various industries, especially the logistics systems. Foremost, the economic upturn will be defined, followed by the factors that accelerate it. According to the analysis by Dartez (2013), the global economic upturn, which the US is also experiencing, is likely to benefit the emerging markets more than the developed regions such as the US since it (the upturn) will last more in the upcoming markets. Hence, the research will illustrate why the economic upturn favors the emerging more than the established ones such as the US and the United Kingdom. Furthermore, the section will also note the expected global trade scenario. Using facts from international observers such as the IMF, it will analyze how the economic upturn influences how the US trades with its international partners. The section will also assess the GDP output, as well as development in trade. Using the appraisal, the study will determine where the US businesses are concentrating their investments- domestic or international trade.
Reliance on oil as a means of energy in the transport and logistics sector is still high (Transport Intelligence, 2014). Analyzing the impact of an economic upturn on oil prices will be of great significance. The research will examine the market volatility with the view of showing how it influences the cost of transportation and energy security. Although predicting the changing prices of oil is an impenetrable challenge, acknowledging the existence of volatility will help stakeholders to prepare control measures to avert the impact of oil prices on the transport and logistics (Dartez, 2013).
Ultimately, in this section, the paper will consider how other economies of the world, such as China, Europe, and developing countries will affect the transport and logistics sector in the US. It will explain the impact of the expected dropping value of the developing countries’ currencies. Additionally, it will reveal how the US logistics systems and economy stand to gain from the weakening currencies of the emerging economies since the developing countries will pay more exports (Transport Intelligence, 2014).
The section will use charts to illustrate the changes in the economy for the reader to understand how financial forces influence transportation and logistics management. For instance, it will show the crude-oil-price-changes chart, thus making it easier for one to understand how the fluctuations affect the cost of transportation. Furthermore, it will present the US GDP prices, as well as the Freight Transportation Index over the past years, to explain the downturn and upturn over the years while at the same time showing how the changes affected the transport and logistics sector.
Source: Transport Intelligence (2014)
Managing Transportation and Logistics Management during Economic Downturn and Upturn
In this section, the discussion will focus on how managers of the transport and logistics sector can handle changes in the economy. It will illustrate how businesses can restructure their strengths to fit the existing economic scenario. It will mention the key issues to consider when adjusting tactical logistics management. Some of the factors that will be explained in this section include outsourcing, collecting relevant data, and networking (Dartez, 2013). Other than the factors to consider, it will explain how decisions should be made in such crucial situations and the departments that should be involved in such decision-making processes.
It will explain to companies how they can reflect on their central competencies while ignoring all distractions. Moreover, considering the cyclical link between the economy and transport and logistics, this section will explain the role that the US government should play to keep the economy steady. It will also demonstrate the need for the US administration to modernize the transport and logistics sector. It will reveal how the modernization of the transport sector will help the state to overcome the pressures that come with drastic changes in the economy.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Having analyzed the various interrelationships between logistics systems and the US economy, this section will provide a summary of the discussion of the initial sections. It will also contain personal opinions and recommendations with respect to how the economy affects the logistics and transport sector.
Reference List
Dartez, R. (2013). Transportation Logistics and Economic Decline – Politics, Infrastructure and the Recession. Germany: GRIN Verlag.
Transport Intelligence. (2014). How will logistics benefit from the economic upturn? Web.
Apple Company’s Business Ethics
Is Apple an ethical company? Find the answer to this and other questions in our Apple ethics case study sample. Here, you’ll find information about Apple ethical practices and issues and social responsibility.
Abstract
Companies are established within localities from where they operate. This fact alone compels them to put systems in place to ensure that they conform to the standard norms of the society. They also endeavor to cater to the needs of the community. By so doing, they undertake ethics and social responsibilities. This paper reviews Apple Corporation with regard to the way it handles its ethics and social responsibilities. It also looks at the role of suppliers and their effects on Apple Corporation. The paper contains a number of strategies for a particular improvement, which could help the company retain its positive image globally. These strategies have been utilized by other successful companies (Procter & Gamble and Gillette) and have proved to be effective in similar situations. It is stressed that the company’s emphasis on ethics and social responsibility (especially in its co-operation with suppliers) is of paramount importance for Apple’s successful development.
Apple Corporation
Apple Corporation is an international company that sells a wide range of electronics. It is well known for its computers and mobile phones. Apple Corporation was established as a profit-making investment. To date, it has been able to achieve its set objectives. Two of its products (iPhone and iPad) hit the market greatly, having led the company to profitability.
Apple Ethics and Social Responsibilities
Apple Corporation is a champion for ethical and social responsibility. Its superb management with regard to this area has greatly improved its reputation across the globe (Brodkin, 2009). Many enterprises view it as a perfect example worth emulating. The company exists within communities and has to maintain some standard norms that are also acceptable to its surroundings. On ethical issues, Apple Corporation has its own code of ethics. It has always maintained that the suppliers have to follow this code of ethics. The incidences at Foxconn manufacturing plant (China) in 2010, where 18 workers attempted to commit suicide, were a real test for the company.
The end result was 14 deaths. Publications were made about Apple Foxconn’s labor violations. They included discrimination and poor working conditions. The investigations that followed actually identified violations and Apple openly accepted the shortcomings. This was a clear indication that Apple upholds ethics. The episode became a turning point for the company with regard to workers’ welfare. What followed were spirited efforts to make working conditions safe in two facilities. Another facility witnessed changes that eradicated corruption in the form of bribes.
Social responsibility has to do with a company becoming philanthropic to society. It is about positively changing the locality, where it is established (Plerhoples, 2013). The societal needs vary from place to place, depending on the uniqueness of the locality. To this end, Apple has been at the front line in environmental conservation. This has been achieved through the use of non-toxic raw materials. Its products are also recyclable, while systems in the factories are compliant as far as the emission of greenhouse gas is concerned (Schultz & Helleloid, 2010). The corporation is also fighting against such diseases as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis through supporting Bono’s Product Red Campaign.
Impact of Suppliers’ Violations of Ethics and Social Responsibilities
Apple Corporation has worked hard to help its suppliers create a good working environment for the employees. Those targeted include the students doing internships and in-risk employees. Working hours have been maintained at 60 per week in almost all the suppliers’ organizations. Workers have been educated on their social and human rights. On environmental conservation, Apple Corporation is working with investigators to establish the facilities that pose a risk with the aim of eradicating the dangers.
It is true that the suppliers of Apple Corporation have been involved in violations of ethical code. A good example is the Foxconn cases where workers committed suicide. As noted earlier, preliminary reports associated this case to gross labor violations and discrimination. Publicity of the same caused uproar around the world. Many customers openly confessed that they were not ready to purchase Apple’s products made in China as a way of showing displeasure with the violations. This meant losses in business terms occurred due to negligence by suppliers. Then, Apple conducted independent investigations and admitted the violations (Schultz & Helleloid, 2010).
Another example of suppliers’ violations happened in the Wintek’s Suzhou facility in Jiangsu province of China in 2011. 137 employees became ill after being exposed to n-hexane, a toxic substance used as a cleaning agent. This mishap earned Apple the title ‘A poisonous apple.’ The media reports portrayed Apple as a company that was making a fortune from the sale of its brands at the expense of workers. Although things changed drastically for the better with Apple leading the correction process, Wintek forced workers to sign agreements exonerating the company from any health liabilities. The affected workers got little compensation, and the Chinese people were not comfortable with the arrangements. In fact, they complained that Apple had failed make its suppliers treat workers with dignity and demanded an apology. All these had negative effects on the reputation of Apple globally.
Ensuring that Suppliers Adhere to Wage and Benefit Standards
Apple should be commended for being a leader in auditing suppliers and indeed admitting ethical and social violations whenever they occur (Backer, 2013). It has intervened to oversee improvements on environmental issues at the factories. Apple has also guided all the corrective measures taken after violations were reported. Moreover, it spearheads preventive actions as a way of avoiding degradation of its reputation. Directing the suppliers to take certain measures is one thing, while implementation is another. Apple could utilize the following methods to compel its suppliers to adhere to wage and benefit standards for workers.
Apple should sign a memorandum of understanding with the suppliers. In this agreement, Apple would remain a customer to a supplier only if the set standards are achieved and maintained. It is at this point that suppliers would be made aware that their human resource management has a direct bearing on the market for their products. Since Apple is continuously involved in auditing of the suppliers, renewal of contracts should be pegged on the results of such an audit. The suppliers should be well acquainted with the parameters to be used and the cut mark below that the contract may not be renewed. This would be a strong measure to ensure conformity by the suppliers.
The second method would involve Apple participating directly in the wage and benefits of the workers. This would be carried out through incentives to the companies that prove to have fully catered for the welfare of the employees. Apple could decide to finance projects, such as those aiming at environmental conservation and being undertaken by suppliers. Apple could also come up with a fund to be used to subsidize benefits for the employees in the supplier chains. This subsidy should be made competitive to enable the suppliers to compete for them effectively. By doing so, Apple will advance its social responsibility and at the same time correct the image which has been dented by the previous violations.
Including Customers in Wage and Benefits Improvements
The identified methods of making the suppliers comply will definitely require mobilization of funds. Maintaining the current prices for Apple products would only mean eating into the company’s profits to get the incentives. The way forward is to increase the prices of the products marginally so as to get the extra money to improve the wage and benefits for the employees. Since the retailing price is inclusive of all the overheads involved from manufacturing to shipment, a little increase in price would be superb. Due to the volumes of the products involved, the company will have a lot of money in the long run. Apple should then decide on whether to pay the workers’ benefits directly to the suppliers or to factor them in the unit prices of their products.
The customers will definitely support this initiative. Apple should make the customers realize that the rise in prices is meant for the welfare of the suppliers’ workers. This could be done through advertisements indicating that for every product unit purchased, a certain percentage goes to improving the standards of the workers. Looking back at the violation episodes, the uproar had everything to do with Apple not being concerned about the suppliers’ workers. The customers have liked the way Apple comes out clearly to investigate the violations and give unbiased reports. As a gesture of goodwill and in appreciation of the efforts being made by Apple, the customers would give overwhelming support to this initiative.
Apple’s Marketing Strategies
As earlier indicated, Apple has an economic obligation of being in the market. The customers value Apple brand, and this makes them feel like they belong to a community (Xin, 2012). Although it has been noted that Apple products have premium prices, the truth is that they are still out of reach for the low income earners. It is for this reason that I could recommend Apple to produce items that will retail at low cost without compromising quality. This strategy is associated with the so-called blocking “brand strategy” (Yannopoulos, 2011, p. 3). This strategy is employed by one of the world leaders Procter & Gamble.
The company produces a wide range of products which are affordable for different groups of customers. The company makes it impossible for other competitors to enter the market and ‘steal’ customers in any niche. Importantly, lower prices do not mean lower quality, but enable more people to enter the club of users of Procter & Gamble. Admittedly, this strategy can also be exploited by Apple which has the necessary resources to reduce prices (for example, with the help of innovations and new technologies).
The other recommendation has to do with increased advertisements. Apple should brace to sponsor more programs. The areas of sponsorship could be in sports or environmental conservation efforts. At that, the company should focus on the idea of self-identity and articulate a particular message. Thus, extensive advertising and focus on the idea of masculinity and pertaining to a men’s club has enabled Gillette to remain one of the leaders in the market (Reed II, Forehand, Puntoni & Warlop, 2012). The company’s products are marketed on TV and during a variety of sporting events which are associated with masculinity. Men strive for pertaining to the club and are proud of their choice. Likewise, Apple can be advertised more extensively to make more people aware of the existing club and its benefits for its members who are regarded as fashionable, practical and advanced in different respects. Therefore, I recommended the above methods, and within a year, the profits had doubled.
References
Backer, L. (2013). Transnational Corporations’ Outward Expression of Inward Self-Constitution: The Enforcement of Human Rights by Apple, Inc. Indiana Journal of Global Legal Studies, 20(2), 805-879. Web.
Brodkin, J. (2009). Where Apple stands in the enterprise. Network World, 26(2), 12-38. Web.
Plerhoples, A. E. (2013). Representing Social Enterprise. Clinical LawReview, 20(1), 215-265. Web.
Reed II, A., Forehand, M.R., Puntoni, S., & Warlop, L. (2012). Identity-based consumer behavior. International Journal of Research in Marketing, 29 (1), 310-321. Web.
Schultz, P. L., & Helleloid, D. (2010). Apple, Inc., and Greenpeace in 2008. Journal of Critical Incidents, 3, 342-49. Web.
Xin, H. (2012). Why are Chinese consumers crazy for Apple?. INSEAD Knowledge Publications, 5(9), 3-4. Web.
Yannopoulos, P. (2011). Defensive and offensive strategies for market success. International Journal of Business and Social Science, 2(13), 1-12. Web.