The extensive study by the MIT Sloan professors confirm that big corporations such as Nike can lead the way in improving the working conditions of the world’s factories, thus working toward global justice.

According to an analysis on “Beyond Corporate Codes of Conduct: Work Organization and Labor Standards in Two Mexican Garment Factories,” “global brands are more likely to influence the improvement of working conditions in their suppliers’ factories in developing countries by providing technical assistance to suppliers and empowering employees on shop floors.”

These are the findings of Richard Locke, the Alvin J. Siteman Professor of Entrepreneurship at MIT Sloan, and his former student Monica Romis, who compared working conditions in two Mexican garment factories that supply athletic footwear and apparel giant Nike, Inc.

Both Mexican factories passed compliance according to Nike’s code of conduct, but only one factory earned high scores in overall employee satisfaction with workplace conditions.

This is a factor that is most interesting to those of us who are trying to find out more about global justice.  What was the real difference between the two factories?  Why were the workers of one factory more satisfied with their working conditions compared to the workers of the other factory?

“The key difference, according to Locke, is that the factory with the higher satisfaction scores implemented ‘lean manufacturing processes’ — a term referring to manufacturing methods based on maximizing value and minimizing waste in the manufacturing process — that resulted in employees having greater autonomy and power to make day-to-day decisions on the shop floor.”

In simple English, this process involves greater say-so of employees in the factories.  Such power gave the workers a greater sense of satisfaction.   The following is excerpted from the research:

Both factories complied with Nike’s requirements, but employee satisfaction surveys showed considerable differences in workers’ satisfaction.

“The first Mexican company, which Locke and Romis refer to as Plant A, is situated in an industrial park and has been owned by a Mexican family for more than 50 years. The second factory, Plant B, is part of a Taiwanese group.”

In Plant A, the workers work in teams, and they operate more than one type of sewing machine.  The workers themselves are responsible for routine maintenance. The interviews conducted with employees showed that “the workers appreciate job rotation and value performing a variety of operations.”  It was obvious that the workers felt that there was room to grow and thus there was a sense of work satisfaction.

In Plant B, employees did not experience variety.  They work at “fixed stations and specialize in narrowly defined jobs performing the same operation over the year. “  My interpretation of the situation is that the workers did not experience self worth and consequently did not enjoy the luxury of work satisfaction.

While the workers in Plant A participate in “decisions affecting production targets, allowing them to suggest alternative ways to perform operations, often rendering it quicker and easier, workers in Plant B must follow orders and do not have the opportunity to give their input.”

In addition to the above, the workers in Plant A are given opportunities to earn bonus incentives and earn 21% more than their counterparts in Plant B.  The bonuses are based on “team results rather than individual productivity. “

The most encouraging fact is that Plant A now sees Nike as a partner in collaboration to improve productivity, and this improvement is not based solely on monitoring codes of conduct, which is the usual way that factories deal with poor working conditions.

My research into global justice as an EV Intern has given me new insights.  Through my reading, I am beginning to understand how the efforts to improve productivity through offering more employees’ involvement and providing better working conditions on the part of big corporations such as Nike may be the beginning of true global justice for the world’s workers.

I understand that the issue of working conditions is only ONE of many facets of global justice.   In my next two blogs, I will pick up the issue of social justice of the DREAM Act, which has made recent headlines.

Sources

http://mitsloan.mit.edu/newsroom/2007-locke.php

“Beyond Corporate Codes of Conduct: Work Organization and Labor Standards in Two Mexican Garment Factories” by Richard Locke and Monica Romis

Brian Wong

Team 4: Global Justice

Alameda, CA

July 30, 2011

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While this controversy is long from over, it raises the question of integrity for charities. Sometimes the demands to secure privacy and autonomy for the non-profit while still ensuring fiscal responsibility and accountability to the donors can be conflicting. I think that running a non-profit organization is the most difficult type of operation to manage because it must utilize business practices while still being labeled a “non-profit” and ensuring that as much money as possible goes to those in need instead of the executives of the organizations. However, the executives cannot live as paupers and must have some form of income for such a huge investment of time and energy for the non-profit’s cause. It is a fine balance that non-profit organizations must walk.

As for the Greg Mortensen scandal, commentators have brought up some valid points about his organization in the first place. While it has achieved good in terms of increasing awareness of educational needs in Pakistan and Afghanistan, especially for girls, the concept of simply building schools is not enough. The root cause of issues like poverty and terrorism cannot be addressed and solved by building buildings. The quality of the teaching and even practical matters that must be taken into consideration such as parents needing their children to tend to farms for months at a time while living a nomadic lifestyle while not be able to attend school on a regular basis.

This entire controversy can be taken a learning experience for donors and non-profits alike. Do as much research as you can on any non-profits that you are interested in. The Better Business Bureau is a great place to start. Also, non-profits can change over time. A worthy, legitimate, and beneficial one can easily become corrupt and fraudulent over time.

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My love for the mountains started when a man named Rod Taylor visited my middle school and gave a presentation about his experience climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro. Even though I must have been about twelve years old, I remembered looking around the audience and wondering if other students were as amazed as I was. His narrative of friendship and betrayal on the Roof of Africa was illustrated photos from his grueling climb. Taylor was critically wounded and felt betrayed as his climbing partner Henry Barber left Taylor on the mountain to return to the United States for a promotional event. The main message of his presentation to us was to choose our friends wisely. Some reviews of Taylor’s book are here: http://www.amazon.com/Breach-Kilimanjaro-Conquest-Self/dp/0963018809

I have just graduated from college and am evaluating the friendships that I have made, how wisely did I choose those friendships? While only time may give an answer to that question, I feel confident in the quality of the friendships that I have instead of the typical emphasis on the quantity.

But back to mountain trekking, Taylor’s speech when I was young probably sparked my interest. At the end of my study abroad in China in January 2010, two of my friends and I embarked on an ambitious trip throughout China. My favorite place was Huangshan, not only during this trip, but out of any other place that I have ever been to. We woke up early to see the sun rise after a night on the top of the series of mountains (we took the lift up the mountain). But the 8-hour hike down involved climbing even higher in order to ultimately go down. The wind howled loudly around us, and my fear of heights quickly came back to me. But around one corner, the sight took my breath away. It was soon after the break of dawn and the view over the mist of the mountains was unbelievably gorgeous. I’ll never forget it, and it was the most beautiful sight of my life.

I have already started to plan some other mountain treks. Today, I watched a documentary called “Summit on the Summit.”  A group of celebrities including Lupe Fiasco and Jessica Biel climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro with a team of cameramen and Tanzanian porters to raise awareness for clean water. Every 15 seconds, a child dies of a water-borne illness. Water is taken for granted by us in the developed world. Creating clean water is not difficult; the technology for it has already been developed. The documentary showed some powder that was placed into the water and after 30 minutes, the dirt and bacteria coagulated at the bottom of the cup and the top at the top of the cup was safe and clean water.

I think that combining my growing passion for climbing with a worthy cause is an inspiring and meaningful idea. It is how marathon runners fundraise and it also motivates them to keep pushing themselves physically even when they are exhausted during the race. During the documentary “Summit on the Summit,” the celebrities were clearly exhausted but wanted to push forward because they believed in the struggle for clean water and had a huge team of supporters behind them.

http://summitonthesummit.com/

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In her offstage life, Glenn Close understands the societal constraints that individuals with mental illness must deal with as well. Her sister suffers from bipolar disorder and her nephew from schizoaffective disorder. There has been a lot of depression and alcoholism in her family as well. The traditional approach by her family members toward mental illness was silence. Glenn Close describes scriptwriters as portraying those with mental illness as “dangerous threats who must be contained, if not destroyed.” Their portrayals serve as entertainment.

Glenn Close says that moviegoers consider her character Alex Forrest in Fatal Attraction to be “evil incarnate.” Yet while Glenn researched her behavior, she ended emphasizing with Alex. She was in a lot of pain psychologically and should have had medication. After consulting with psychologists, Glenn realized that she was in much more danger to herself than to others. The original ending for the script was changed to make Alex’s death reflect the hatred that viewers had for her character. Glenn says that changing the ending projected a misleading image of mental illness to the public.

1 in 6 adults and almost 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. But the stigma associated with the illness can be as challenging as the disease itself. While we are openly raising awareness about breast cancer and AIDS, we shy away from the same open response to raising awareness about mental illness, marginalizing the very people who need our acceptance the most. Support and open conversation for family members is also needed.

One of the best ways we can help those with mental illness is by understanding what it is and what it isn’t. Myths about mental illnesses contribute to stigma, which often prevents those who are living with mental illness from seeking help. Mental illness is a disorder of the brain, and like most diseases of the body, it has many causes, including genetic, biological, environmental and social or cultural factors. Mental illnesses are treatable through medication and psychosocial therapies, which allow those with mental illnesses to be vibrant and productive members of our society.

Here are some Facts vs. Fiction about mental illness from the Bring Change 2 Mind non-profit, which Glenn Close created to counter the stigma associated with mental illness:

FICTION: People with a mental illness are often violent. FACT: Actually, the vast majority of people with mental health conditions are no more violent than anyone else. People with mental illness are much more likely to be the victims of crime. FICTION: Mental illness is a sign of weakness. FACT: A mental illness is not caused by personal weakness—nor can it be cured by positive thinking or willpower – proper treatment is needed. FICTION: Only military personnel who have been in combat can suffer from PTSD. FACT: While PTSD is prevalent in men and women who have seen combat, experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event can trigger PTSD, including violent personal assaults such as rape or robbery, natural or human-caused disasters, or accidents. FICTION: People with a mental illness will never get better. FACT: For some people, a mental illness may be a lifelong condition, like diabetes. But as with diabetes, proper treatment enables many people with a mental illness to lead fulfilling and productive lives. FICTION: Children don’t suffer from mental illness. FACT: Millions of children are affected by depression, anxiety and other mental illnesses. As a matter of fact, 1 in 10 children suffer from a diagnosable mental illness. Getting treatment is essential. FICTION: “Mental illness can’t affect me!” FACT: Mental illness can affect anyone. While some illnesses have a genetic risk, mental illness can affect people of all ages, races and income levels, whether or not there is a family history.

For more information, please visit Bring Change 2 Mind.

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1: The “When the Right One Comes Along, You Just Know” One

During high school, I pursued a gamut of interests: music, art, history, literature, science. Despite this, I never found “the subject”—the one that sets sparks flying and unleashes butterflies in your stomach. Explanations were elusive. “You just know,” friends would sniff. I entered Duke with expectations and uncertainties, questions about what my place on campus and in this world is. How would I “just know”?

As it turns out, age-old advice about love is sometimes actually logical. When the “right one” came along two weeks into the semester, I knew. Sitting in my Global Health Focus classes, debating human value when rationing flu vaccines, determining factors that made the Warao in Venezuela vulnerable to cholera, squealing with anticipation at the prospect of teaching art at the WISER school in Kenya, I must admit, I think I fell in love.

In fact, I was showing the symptoms: staying up late anticipating the Winter Forum 2011: Pandemic results (accepted!) and daydreaming about my role models (Kofi Annan, Liya Kedebe). The verdict was in. Global health was The One.

It’s The One because I love how it’s all-encompassing, noble in its quest to unite disciplines to tackle the underlying social, political, and economic factors that make people vulnerable to disease in the first place. I love how it aims to solve, not just cure. I love its audacity.

2: The “He Makes Me a Better Person” One

Corny but true. Global health has changed me in drastic ways I never anticipated. You can see my love in the skills I’ve cultivated. It’s how I learned to make connections and take initiative—seeking professors during office hours, meeting advisors at the pre-health office, Career Center, and ARC. It’s how I gained confidence, which progressed from actively participating during class to posing a question for US Assistant Surgeon General Dr. Anne Schuchat during her keynote speech at Winter Forum. It’s how I’ve taken action: seeking an internship in community health and applying for conferences. Discovering global health has given me a cause, a vision, a voice. With a love this strong, I’m learning, I’m leading.

3: The “This is Only the Beginning” One

Sure, there are bound to be hiccups and bumps, but that’s what life is full of—surprises and change. In a year or two, I might be headed in a different direction. Or maybe this love will last a lifetime. Whatever the outcome, I know that finding my love for global health this semester has made me bolder, wiser, and in essence, much more me.

Joy Liu

Team 2: Servant Scholars

Durham, North Carolina

Freshman – Duke University

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Numerous Christian organizations have pledged help the global fight against HIV/AIDS, including heavyweights such as World Vision, Saddleback Church’s Rick Warren, CARITAS Internationalis, and many more. However, one point that many organizations were reluctant to discuss involved prevention—one of the key components of any successful public health initiative. Concerns centered on condom distribution, needle exchange programs, providing services to vulnerable populations such as injecting drug users and sex workers. Instead, many organizations initially targeted non-controversial measures and goals such as ending violence against women, lowering maternal mortality, ensuring equal treatment of HIV/AIDS patients in the workplace, etc.

This avoidance may have been magnified by policy measures. Funding initiatives, most notably Bush’s PEPFAR, added a political dimension to the issue. PEPFAR had very specific standards about what organizations (and consequently, organizations doing what actions) could be funded by the US government. It primarily funded abstinence-only sex education, stressing this prevention component because it promoted a view that was morally uplifted by Christianity. Sometimes, full information concerning using condoms and exchanging needles was not presented by the organizations. Although PEPFAR channeled an enormous amount of money into global health work and funded some notable work, many began criticizing faith-based organizations and PEPFAR for exercising a political agenda.

Faith-based organizations ultimately do aim to help, but the measures they take often provide fodder that reinforces negative stereotypes about religious institutions. In the end, this is extremely hurtful to the organizations because they lose credibility and respect. Organizations must balance their religious beliefs with a keen insight for effective health policy measures. These issues are not simple. Abstinence-only sex education was a widely-debated topic not five years ago and still remains a point of contention. But the organizations must prioritize health as its primary aim and religious advancement as its second to ensure credibility. Ultimately, the organizations are there to help fight against HIV/AIDS with intentions and prayers that stem from Christian teachings. It’s through actions and compassion that these organizations can really take the Word of God far and wide. Faith should be a motivation to take actions to combat HIV/AIDS, but its advancement shouldn’t be the ultimate reason why we decide to embark on this campaign.

Joy Liu

Durham, North Carolina

Team 2: Servant Scholars

Freshman – Duke University

Sources: RH Reality Check

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ECCS is founded on the idea that we’re supposed to go out into our communities and spread the gospel through service and compassion. To help achieve this goal, the Beta Club sponsor put together several different service projects and divided the sixth through twelfth grades into teams. There were a variety of different projects available – from helping the park and recreation service clear paths, raking leaves in an elderly person’s yard, providing lunches to the needy, organizing clothes for a thrift store, painting the gym on campus (which sorely needed it) to providing good company at a nursing home.

I was assigned to the last service project. My team was made of musical people who would go play music and sing to the patients at the nursing home. I don’t sing – I’m not really that musical – and some of the others on my team felt the same way. So we divided into two groups – one musical group and one that would play card games or generally converse with the patients.

The nursing home we were going to specifically helped with advanced dementia/alzheimer’s patients. One group was less severely affected than the other, so they were split up, with the intention that both groups on our team would visit them in turn.

I have been around dementia patients before, because I’ve worked with a hospice organization for a while. I’ve also been in a nursing home before, but some members of my team hadn’t. When we got to the nursing home, we tried playing card games for a while. Some of the patients I sat with were unable to play anything, so I conversed with them. One woman in particular was about my own mother’s age, but she had trouble with remembering where she was and who I was. At several points I was her niece, her granddaughter, and even her daughter. At first I was taken aback by this, and very sad, but eventually I realized that me being there for her – whoever I was and whenever I was – was all that mattered. Sometimes human companionship is all we need.

Eventually my group and the patients we were talking to all went into a common room, where chairs were set up in a circle around an open space. My group decided to show them our ballroom-dancing skills, since we have lessons at school before our big dances. Our teacher turned on waltz music, and all of a sudden we were whirling around the room, moving to the rhythm of the music. The patients sitting around had huge grins on their faces, obviously recalling times from the past that they too, were whirling on a dance floor with a dashing gentleman. That memory will stay with me for a very long time. Sometimes it’s the little things that make such a big difference.

Stay tuned for my next article – I’ll be continuing the service day saga. Also, below is a video of the service day.

ECCS Service Day

Jenny Combs

Team 2: Servant Scholars

Grade 11

Alabaster, Alabama

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