Mobile connections : supply chain responsibility of five mobile phone companies
Document type: report
Download file(s):
128607 (152 KB)
Abstract:
In 2007, more than 1.1 billion mobile phones were manufactured worldwide. That same year, the total number of mobile telephone subscriptions reached 3.3 billion, equivalent to half the global population. In recent years, mobile phone companies are increasingly targeted by NGOs and consumer campaigns aimed at improving social and environmental conditions in supply chains of mobile phones. The 2006 SOMO report on the mobile phone industry showed that there is a stark contrast between the image of the flashy high-tech world of mobile phones and the working conditions of the people behind the production of wireless handsets in low-wage countries. How has corporate social responsibility developed in the mobile phone industry in recent years and are social and environmental standards improving as fast as the product applications? This briefing will include a follow up on the ‘High Cost of Calling: Critical Issues in the Mobile Phone Industry’ report, with the focus mainly on sourcing policies and practices and supply chain responsibility of the major brand companies. In the last two years, SOMO has continued research into the supply chains of mobile phone companies. SOMO stayed in contact with major mobile phone brands and asked them about changes in their CSR policies and supply chain responsibility. In January 2007 and April 2008, a follow-up questionnaire was sent to the brand companies to provide additional information on developments in specific cases and general policies. Information from these questionnaires, together with desk research, form the basis of this briefing paper.
Series Title:
SOMO Paper
Corporate author(s):
SOMO
Category:
Research
Serial number:
September
Keywords:
industry
,
labour
,
economic development
,
sustainable development
,
telecommunications
Language:
eng
Organization:
SOMO - Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations
PAGE:
7
Place:
Amsterdam
Publisher:
SOMO
Year:
2008
Right:
© 2008 SOMO
Subject:
Economic Development and Trade
Title:
Mobile connections : supply chain responsibility of five mobile phone companies