Read Mattel and Toy Safety, which is Case Eight in the Cases in Business and Society section at the end of the book. This case describes the 2007 Mattel toy recalls, which were in response to findings that several children’s toys were coated in lead-based paint.
Write an eight to ten page paper that addresses the following questions. Support your opinions with scholarly research.
- Do you believe that Mattel acted in a socially responsible and ethical manner with regard to the safety of its toys? Why or why not? What should or could Mattel have done differently, if anything? Be sure to support your answer using your research findings.
- Who or what do you believe was responsible for the fact that children were exposed to potentially dangerous toys? Why do you think so? Be sure to support your answer using your research findings.
- What is the best way to ensure the safety of children’s toys? In responding, please consider how the following groups would answer this question: government regulators (in the U.S. and China); consumer advocates, the toy industry, children’s product retailers; and standard-setting organizations. What might explain the differences in their point of view? Be sure to support your answer using your research findings.
- What do you think is the best way for society to protect children from harmful toys? Specifically, what are the appropriate roles for various stakeholders in this process? Be sure to support your answer using your research findings.
