In 1996, Mattel created a new Cabbage Patch doll named Snacktime Kids. The dolls were cutting edge with movable mouth parts, and they were popular due to their predecessors, Cabbage Patch Kid dolls. Unfortunately, the doll’s moving parts would trap children’s fingers, and they had no off switch. The dolls were removed from the shelves of stores, and consumers were given a refund. The U.S Consumer Safety Commission supported how Mattel handled the situation (Ferrell, page 596).
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), all toys intended for use by children under twelve-years-old, must be third party tested. The toys become certified in a Children’s Product Certificate as compliant with federal standards. …show more content…
In 1997, after the toy safety issue, the company did a full ethic audit of all their manufacturing sites, facilities and contractors to make sure that there was no forced labor or child labor associated with their company. Anyone caught violating their child rights standards, were given the opportunity to make a change or end their business partnership. Also in 1997, Mattel developed a code of conduct called Global Manufacturing Principles, that were a set of policy standards. Mattel required all of their business partners to abide by the same code of ethics (Ferrell, page 597). Mattel used this to foster ethical relationships and make a statement to all shareholders that the company would abide by these …show more content…
Cultural diversity, perspectives and values need to be researched and investigated thoroughly. And the foreign sites need more than a written policy. The sites need strict governance and internal controls to ensure that the company’s policies are being upheld and respected. Overall, Mattel has weathered many ethical challenges throughout their history by rising to the occasion and addressing issues publicly. It would be far more ethical to not have those issues arise because the company had policies intact that were being utilized and
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC), all toys intended for use by children under twelve-years-old, must be third party tested. The toys become certified in a Children’s Product Certificate as compliant with federal standards. …show more content…
In 1997, after the toy safety issue, the company did a full ethic audit of all their manufacturing sites, facilities and contractors to make sure that there was no forced labor or child labor associated with their company. Anyone caught violating their child rights standards, were given the opportunity to make a change or end their business partnership. Also in 1997, Mattel developed a code of conduct called Global Manufacturing Principles, that were a set of policy standards. Mattel required all of their business partners to abide by the same code of ethics (Ferrell, page 597). Mattel used this to foster ethical relationships and make a statement to all shareholders that the company would abide by these …show more content…
Cultural diversity, perspectives and values need to be researched and investigated thoroughly. And the foreign sites need more than a written policy. The sites need strict governance and internal controls to ensure that the company’s policies are being upheld and respected. Overall, Mattel has weathered many ethical challenges throughout their history by rising to the occasion and addressing issues publicly. It would be far more ethical to not have those issues arise because the company had policies intact that were being utilized and