Introduction The purpose of this paper is to discuss how the virtues Loyalty, Integrity and Fairness applies to the Mattel, Inc. case study. This case study was analyzed in the article “Mattel, Inc.: Global manufacturing principles (GMP) - A life-cycle analysis of a company-based code of conduct in the toy industry” written by Sethi, Veral, Shapiro, & Emelianova, 2011). The Mattel corporation is a titan in the toy industry with significance influence regarding the industry standards of conduct. Ethics is the element that supposed to provide with moral principles that guides us in our decision making as we attempt to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number. Virtue ethics assumes that what is moral in a given situation is not …show more content…
Given such a turbulent business environment, building relationships with important stakeholders is crucial to a firm’s well-being. Both customers and employees are major concerns for firms that want to develop loyalty and competitive advantages. The challenge for long-run success in business is to continually increase the customer’s dependence on the company to provide products in an environment of mutual respect and perceived fairness. Creating mutually beneficial exchange relationship with customers mean that both parties work together to understand needs and develop trust.
Normally when we think of loyalty we do not separate it from our personal and professional lives because we see loyalty as a part of who we are as a person. According to (Woodruff, P., Parker, J., & Levinson, V., 2013) there is a type of loyalty referred to as “professional loyalty.” This is the type of loyalty that doctors owe to their patient or a lawyer owe to their client. Their professions require loyalty to their clients but they are also required to conduct themselves by a sworn code of ethics. This is also true of many other professions such as accountants and engineers. In the Mattel case even though the multinational corporations codes of conduct were voluntary. It would have been in the best interest of not only the company but the entire toy industry if Mattel would have remained loyal to doing the right thing simply because doing the right thing was the right thing to do.
* Building the right relationships with the right customers involves treating customers as assets that need to be managed and maximized
The company knows the demands of the customers and they are well orientated in the service and the knowledge of the products and this is the element that makes them prosperous. Jean’s Rare Find Books belief in customer service and satisfaction enables a comfortable and peaceful atmosphere and in return produces a strong customer loyalty for the company. Customer satisfaction and customer retention externally and internally is measured by the perspective of the customers and thus implements the reason for the company’s prosperity. Customer perspective is a key factor on how the customer views the company.
Losing a customer means a lot more than losing a sale, it means losing the entire future stream of purchases that the customer would make over a lifetime of patronage. There are a number of reasons why a customer may stop buying from a company; very often though that reason is linked to poor customer service as opposed to something inherently wrong with the brand itself. Customer relationships give companies a competitive edge based on the merit that if consumers are happy more often than not those consumers will continue to do business with said company. A recent study conducted by TD Canada’s customer loyalty poll asked consumers which form of appreciation are
In 2004, Mattel Inc. first filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court claiming that its former employee, Carter Bryant, violated copyright infringement and breach of contract. Mattel is widely known for their popular Barbie dolls and MGA Entertainment have their Bratz dolls, which were the popular modernized Barbie in the 2000’s. In 2008, a federal jury ruled in favor of Mattel because they believed Mr. Bryant developed the concept of the Bratz doll while working at Mattel, then leaving and pitching his idea to MGA (“Barbie”). Mattel was awarded $100 million, however, the verdict was appealed resulting in a retrial.
In this paper I will analyze the case study of Mattel Inc. and their Global Manufacturing Principles (GMP) and applying it to three different virtue ethics; fairness, honesty and justice. Then I will apply deontology, “always act in such a way that you can also will that the maxim of your action should become a universal law.
Through sustaining the customer relationships, leaders of the company have realized that “becoming nearer to the consumer” is vital for the progression.
Mattel, the world’s leading toy and children’s good manufacturer has cultivated a strong portfolio of well known brands and products while being recognized has a highly responsible corporate citizen that makes ethics and safety a priority. The company must build on its heritage, while defending itself from threats. At the same faced with maintaining its market position in the face of many changes in their target market.
In a world where loss of reputation can mean the difference between achieving positive revenue, maintaining market position or suffering substantial losses, it has become increasingly important to not only remain at the top of your field in manufacturing and innovation but to also demonstrate sound ethical practices. In order to be seen as a valued organisation and most importantly a
The problem surrounding Mattel Inc. is their mismanagement of international subcontractors and vendors and the production of certain toys (the manufacturing process), as well as their inability to adapt their marketing strategy or product to the constantly changing “demographic and socioeconomic trends.” This is supported by Mattel’s legal battle with Carter Bryant and MGA, their forced recall of certain toys that were manufactured overseas, and the increasing rate at which traditional toys are becoming less appealing to today’s young audience. Essentially, Mattel’s mismanagement and oversight lead to violations in terms of ethical and social responsibilities and safety standards.
As competition increases, a company will always have its loyal customers if their salespeople build a strong partnering relationship. Today, we live in an information era where things are constantly becoming outdated but a quality relationship with customers will always have the customers coming back for your product, regardless what company enters the market.
The customer service personnel should be in a position to acknowledge their clients and pay attention well to whatever they say and put into practice active listening. They should also give a chance to the customers to respond to the services the company offers perhaps through the enterprise’s website. For any company to prosper, good customer relation is paramount in building a loyal
In 2111, Prof. Sethi and colleagues disclosed that Mattel Inc. had played a part in, what many would consider, unacceptable business practices (p. 483). Although Mattel took actions to investigate the level to which practices were truly occurring, they had also promised to remediate all noted unacceptable practices. One of the unacceptable business practices that was uncovered was the mandating of certain employee groups required to live in company dormitories and were not permitted to utilize any other options for housing. Was this practice a form of discrimination? In order to decide if the business practice and any alternatives are fair and ethical for all, resulting in the greatest amount of good for the greatest number of people, the scenario will be run through the EthicsOps.com’s Utility Test.
Customer loyalty is much harder to obtain that customer service satisfaction. The most important first step is to satisfy the customer by meeting their expectations. Customers only give a company one chance and if they aren’t satisfied they will not do business with that company again, as well as tell others of their experience. The next step would be to exceed the customer’s expectations. If a business goes above and beyond to assist the customer they begin to build loyalty. The next step is to truly surprise the customer. In order to dominate the marketplace the company must find a way to make them selves stand out with their product or service, accompanied with phenomenal customer service. Once this has been done customer satisfaction and loyalty will be gained. “Acquiring a new customer can cost four or five times more than keeping a current customer” (Bestmark, 2013). So it’s essential to keep the current customer’s happy and coming back for more.
It is imperative to satisfy customers and give them an amazing experience at the company. While it cost less to sell to existing customers and companies can increase profit by selling to the same customers; if customers are satisfied, there is more chance they will come back for more services or products. Satisfied customers are a free marketing for the company. However, it is the opposite if customers are dissatisfied. Dissatisfied customer will tell 8 to 10 people about his or her experience (O’Brien, A & Marakas, G. 2004). If by any reason, representatives see that the customer is not satisfy, they should act fast and fix the problem. Furthermore, there is more chance for sale representatives to sell to an existing customer that to a new customer. A good strategy for customer retention is to reward good customers. Companies can easily do
In order for the service employee to deliver on the customer’s expectations, the company (or management) must provide the necessary resources to fulfill the duties of the job. The success of the firm is also supported by the internal customers, also known as employees, and the satisfaction of these employees can influence the service encounters with external customers (Gremler, Bitner & Evans, 1994). It is imperative that management of the company delivers to the expectations of the employees in order to fulfill business goals and objectives.