There are several different stories unfolding about problems with autos & airbags. Comment on when a company should recall a product, how that decision should be made (is it a simple cost-benefit analysis? If people are getting injured or killed should that be disclosed right away? Etc.), and if & how the government should be involved.
GM & supplier
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/22/business/gm-bullied-manufacturer-over-poorly-designed-part-email-says.html?referrer=
Takata airbag hearings
http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/business/takata-airbags-senate-hearing.html?referrer=
Additionally, your classmates are finding other relevant stories:
*new* from Lorain
- Banker says debt drove him to crime …. Lorain especially likes his comment.. "I knew this had ethical and regulatory consequences, but I did not consider the greater consequences. At the time it appeared to be the best of two evils," Ladio said. http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2014/11/23/banker-says-debt-drove-himto-crime/19458207/
*new* bad ethics in tech companies
- http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/27/style/uber-facebook-and-others-bedeviled-by-moral-issues.html?referrer=
*new* Sexual assault
Jeremy wanted to post this report from Rolling Stone about sexual assault at UVA. Warning: it is graphic and disturbing.
- http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-20141119
- NYTimes: Does the University of Virginia Have a Culture of Silence Around Sexual Assault?http://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/does-the-university-of-virginia-have-a-culture-of-silence-around-sexual-assault/?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
- http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/uva-temporarily-suspends-fraternities-in-response-to-rape-allegations/90097?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
- http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/25/us/rocked-by-rape-report-university-of-virginia-to-hold-special-meeting.html?emc=edit_th_20141125&nl=todaysheadlines&nlid=25414714&_r=0&referrer=
- The Board of Visitors met yesterday and vows to reform the culture: http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/11/26/us/university-of-virginia-officials-vow-to-combat-campus-rape-problem.html?referrer=
- http://chronicle.com/article/Tradition-in-the-Cross-Hairs/150265/?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
This is a real ethical issue of human lives. I do not believe that a simple cost-benefit analysis can be placed on a human life. I believe a manufacturer has an innate obligation to the consumer to divulge even just a few problems with a design flaw that could cause problems with a vehicle - not just whether to consider the cost to the manufacturer or brand. The brand should send out notification of the issues to the dealerships and the consumer; it shouldn't have to wait on the government to become involved before they make a decision to recall.
ReplyDeleteI agree, the brand should have the morals to know that even a day earlier can save lives. Important information such as that should be passed on to consumers as soon as the manufacture finds out.
DeleteI agree with Lorain this is an ethical issue for human lives. We know that nothing goes without some type of malfunction, but once the car manufactures are aware of the issues or concern they should do everything in their power to recall and fix the problem before people have to lost limbs or lives over it. More extensive testing of the newer cars should be recommended and administer before putting the cars into production just to make money. A person life is way more valuable than the price of the latest car that just hit the market.
ReplyDeleteWow, this is interesting, Why has this been allowed to go on since 2005? Who is in charge here? I think when there is reasonable cause to assume that the product is causing the "accidents" that is when a product should be recalled. I think a simple cost-benefit analysis is not always a fair way to analysis every situation. If people are dying or getting hurt this should be disclosed after reasonable cause to blame a product. So what is reasonable cause? In this situation I believe many people were aware of the situation before people were getting seriously hurt which is very frustrating as a consumer. If I am reading the article correctly, GM let the product be released under their regular standards.
ReplyDeleteI think the government has their hands in enough stuff. Media can bring enough coverage to the situation where it starts to jeopardize the companies profits and consumers become more aware of the situation and start researching the situation.
So ladies, peep out this article on GM's best business practices. If Dr. Cate's article got you a bit stirred up, this one should really get your panties all bound up. I know mine are all in a knot. This poor young lady's life was flipped upside down.
Deletehttp://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/general-motors/2014/11/24/gm-ignition-switch-texas/19482007/
Sexual assault
ReplyDeleteJeremy wanted to post this report from Rolling Stone about sexual assault at UVA:
http://www.rollingstone.com/culture/features/a-rape-on-campus-20141119
NYTimes: Does the University of Virginia Have a Culture of Silence Around Sexual Assault?http://op-talk.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/11/21/does-the-university-of-virginia-have-a-culture-of-silence-around-sexual-assault/?smprod=nytcore-iphone&smid=nytcore-iphone-share
http://chronicle.com/blogs/ticker/uva-temporarily-suspends-fraternities-in-response-to-rape-allegations/90097?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en
This is absolutely one of the most atrocious things I have read in a long time. I am sick to my stomach to see that a University like this seems to condone some of the actions or has internal counsel to try and remedy a crime as possibly a choice or something that should be deal;with quietly.
I am not sure they are looking at the ramifications of the victim, just caring more about Federal funding or reputation of the university. I also cannot believe friends would care more about their reputation and getting invites to parties than their friends well-being.
I think there should be an independent counselor for victims to talk to who helps them see clearly what this is - a crime - it is rape and a cover-up.
Unfortunately, they are now saying that not all of her story adds up and Rolling Stone is printing a retraction on this story. If this story was fabricated, it's almost worse. This makes coming forward as a victim that much more difficult as now not only are you violated, embarrassed, afraid, but possibly "faking it." Shame to those who didn't fact check before printing. I feel for this girl if she is telling the truth, and am ashamed of her if she lied as she just made it harder for the rest of the victims out there.
DeleteThat would defiantly amplify the situation and I agree cases like that are what make getting true convictions more and more difficult.
DeleteI absolutely agree with everyone on their responses...this is an ethical issue and as soon as the company becomes aware of one life taken or one consumer injured, they need to be able to get information out to the consumers immediately. No spread sheet or cost-analysis should occur! Are you kidding me? What if this was their children, mom, dad, sibling?!
ReplyDeleteAgree, I always try to think as if I was wearing the shoes of those affected.
DeleteThe auto industry stories all have huge ethical and financial implications. From the outside looking in, it appears as if the recalls should have come about much more quickly. It is easy to say this in hindsight, but these are businesses that exist to make money. I am sure that anything that stops or slows down the business cycle is met with intense resistance.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know when to recall something? There are way too many factors to discuss in detail. For starters, it may take years to pull all of the facts together before the situation can be properly analyzed. No, the facts will not be disclosed right away. Companies have to get all of their ducks in a row before they will decide to release or not release information. You may not like it, and it may not be right, but a company has to protect its own interests. Even if it means letting some people die, and cleaning up the mess when it is all over.
The final parts are often comprised of components manufactured by multiple companies. These companies are in different countries, and they all have their own unique social/corporate/governmental cultures. Cultural hurdles alone can be insurmountable. This is why we end up with a cost-benefit analysis. Unfortunately, collateral damage happens. It is the way it is.
Should the government be involved? Which government? U.S.,China, Taiwan, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Kenya,etc........ Once again we have a global economy, and the final product is made from components sourced all over the world. Something is only as good as its weakest link. Products can fail, and regulations can go unenforced. I personally believe in government regulation. In the U.S. we live relatively safe lives because of government regulation. FDA, USDA, NHTSA, OSHA, and the list goes on. However, the cultural climate in this country seems to favor reducing government regulation, and letting business executives actions go unchecked. I am the opposite because I prefer clean drinking water, and a safe food supply. I would like to know that there are legal safety guidelines that regulate products that can kill me. I would also like to know that there are ramifications for organizations that violate the law. I mean personal accountability, not just corporate fines. This would hold true for any company doing business in or through the U.S.
How do you know when to recall something? That is a very good question. The best thing I can say is that the consumer needs to highly educate themselves on what they are buying. Demand high quality products, and accountability. Do your best to only do business with socially responsible companies. You also have to vote. Our government will work for the people, but the people have to speak. Big companies are doing it, and you should to. Hit companies and politicians where it counts. In the wallet. This is the only way to bring about an ethical cultural change.
So, the government has to be involved! Do we think the companies are going to just voluntarily recall a product, and give up insane amounts of money???? Not gonna happen!
I am having difficulty trying to figure out what I am posting about, so I will be brief in my response to both. As for the auto industry I agree with most on this blog, that it is ridiculous that the lives of the consumer are not more important than profit, but this is not new news. These missteps, cover-ups, and fraudulent practices have been going on for ages. Toyota's run away gas petal from 2004-2010, Ford's gear shift that would slip out of park into reverse in the 70s and 80s, Ford's 1996 cruise control mechanism that would catch fire, Ford's ignition mechanism that would catch fire from the 80s and 90s, Ford's 70's Pinto that damn thing blew up in a crash, the list goes on and on. The other think I found interesting is that this isn't the first time there has been a Takata recall, in 1995 they were scandalized for their faulty seat belts that trapped their passengers inside their cars. Until there is a massive overhaul in how auto industry business is done, where they manufacture the cars and car parts, and how they are regulated I don't see this changing anytime soon. Sad but true.
ReplyDeleteOn the second subject of rape on college campus. Again, this has been going on for decades, and being swept under the rug for decades. Colleges don't want the ugly stain of rape and other crimes on their record. They don't want to lose donors because of these things. Nor do they want to bench star athletes, honors students, or faculty for rape charges pending investigations. It is much easier to intimidate the already broken victim into keeping her (or his in some cases) mouth shut. Penn State comes to mind and what an outrageous crime that was allowed to continue all for the sake of a damn football game. This is nothing new, but it is getting worse. There is a ever increasing culture of over indulgence, and instant gratification in our country to start that perpetuates this "I can have and do whatever I want, whenever I want," attitude especially among the younger generations. There are many to blame for these atrocities happening in our society, poor parenting, poor investigations, poor management by the authorities both at the collegiate and law enforcement level, and possibly student health centers. So many times victims are afraid to come forward, which is unbelievable to me. Not only should these institutions be protecting people from these crimes, they should also be doing everything in their power to make it safe to come forward. Crimes like these have a finite window of evidence viability so it's imperative that it is collected as soon as possible. That may sound clinical, but if they can't convict a rapist because of mishandled or missing evidence, he (or she) will be able to walk free and possibly continue to rape others. It's sick and depraved, and the people who mismanage these crimes or worse cover them up are just as bad and should be punished just as harshly as the rapist themselves. Maybe if we strengthened the punishment for the people covering up the attacks we could make more progress. Otherwise I don't hold a lot of hope for the future, if we can't take back the control of what is right and just and stop trying to protect your asses instead of the victims.
This is actually a pretty simple but yet important subject. Auto makers go through extensive studies on how to improve their cars if they create something that has any doubt in their mind then they should be held liable if it malfunctions. The government has put stipulations on everything you would think that the auto industry would have to go through more of the extensive qualifications than anyone else due to the amount of money that the government had to shell out to keep them afloat back in 2010.
ReplyDeleteIn regards to accidents that is tough to argue only because the person driving is ultimately responsible. I know that I refer to technology quite a bit because I'm in that industry but most car companies are being so innovative that there should be some sort of notice sent for every incident that occurs with their vehicles. It should also notify them mechanically on what went wrong and why as well as if the car acted up due to a recalled part that was not taken care of. This would be a way for the car companies to cover their rear ends because notifications are easy to send these days and if someone doesn't pay attention to a text message about their car then that's their fault.