JUNIOR CYCLE BUSINESS STUDIES ‘Fast’ fashion debate A
How can consumers balance their desire for cheap, on-trend clothes with concerns about unethical practices in the fashion industry? Stage a class debate: This house believes that ‘fast’ fashion should be banned. Record the outcome of the debate on page 73 of your Activities and Accounts Book.
Corporate social responsibility
Think of the last thing you or your family bought (this can be food, clothing, an electrical item or something else). Research the social responsibilities of the company it was bought from.
• Does it consider the impact its products have on the environment? • Does its suppliers and employees work in good conditions and receive a fair wage? • Do your findings make you think differently about where and how you shop?
RESEARCH TIP: many big companies have a corporate social responsibility page on their website. This explains the steps that the company has taken to reduce its impact on society and on the environment. However, to get a balanced view, you should also find out what other people have said about the company’s record of ethical behaviour.
Look at the image below, which shows the value share at each stage in the production of chocolate. Answer the questions that follow.
Processors and grinders 7.6%
Retailer 44.2%
Transport and trade 2.1%
Farmers 6.6%
Taxes and marketing 4.3%
1. Who makes the most money from the production of chocolate? 2. What value share does the chocolate manufacturer and retailer make combined?
3. What percentage difference is there between the value shares held by farmers and retailers?
4. Do you think these figures are fair? Why or why not? 122
