Read the case “Intel: Undermining the Conflict of Minerals Industry.” You are the Chief Corporate Responsibility Officer of ElManCo – a large electronics manufacturer (in an entirely different sector from Intel) . The CEO has asked you for a memo that analyzes the ethical considerations relating to sourcing necessary minerals from the Democratic Republic of Congo, along with your recommendation of an appropriate, ethical course of action for ElManCo’s sourcing of conflict minerals. Specifically, the CEO wants to know: 1) what are the pros and cons are of using human rights and social issues in order to gain a competitive advantage in an industry in which these issues apply to all industry participants; 2) whether the company, like Intel, should engage with competitors on the conflict minerals issue or whether it should attempt to gain competitive advantage over other industry participants/competitors by getting a head start in supply chain transparency and auditing; and 3) whether the company should source minerals exclusively outside the DRC. It should begin with a one-paragraph executive summary of your analysis and recommendation(s), followed by your complete analysis and recommendation(s).
The pros of using human rights and social issues in order to gain an advantage in an industry are that it can show that a company is committed to being ethical and responsible. This can help to attract consumers and investors who care about these issues and can help to set a company apart from its competitors. Additionally, using human rights and social issues as a marketing tool can help to build brand loyalty and create positive associations with the company.
However, there are also some potential downsides to using human rights and social issues as a marketing strategy. For one, it can be difficult to stay up-to-date on current events and trends in these areas, and it's easy to make mistakes. Additionally, some people may view companies that use human rights and social issues as a marketing ploy as being disingenuous or exploitative.
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