| A Good Corporate Citizen? This Scanner Can Tell |
| Topic |
Ethics and Social Responsibility |
| Key Words |
Ethics |
| News
Story |
A new digital tool uses a bar code reader to reveal whether a product has been made by a company with pollution complaints or ethics violations. The device could be used by consumers to make more informed buying decisions.
A research sociologist at Microsoft has been developing a similar device which combines a bar-code scanner, a hand-held computer, and wireless Internet access. He predicts this device could become a feature on a palmtop, and that consumers will be eager for the information.
|
| Questions |
| 1. |
It is difficult for ordinary citizens to get information on companies' records on issues like pollution, product recalls, and ethical violations. Choose a product that you use regularly and try to find out if there are any reasons that this product might violate normal standards of social responsibility. (Hint: you must first determine what normal standards of social responsibility are.) |
| 2. |
Given the explosion of products and features that are becoming available for computers and palmtops, do you think the Corporate Fallout Detector has a broad enough application to be commercially successful? Why or why not? |
|
| Source
|
"A Good Corporate Citizen? This Scanner Can Tell," The New York Times, August 28, 2003. |
| Instructor Discussion Notes
|
Discussion Notes
These notes are restricted to qualified instructors only. Register for free!
|
