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Mattel's Product Safety

Mattel was believed to be one of the most trusted toy companies around the world that operated in 155 countries. They produce the most famous toys for children, such as Barbie, Cabbage patch kids, Fisher-Price, and some many other amazing toys. Beyond concerns about marketing to children, Mattel, Inc. is making a serious commitment to business ethics. For example, Mattel instituted a code of conduct called "Global Manufacturing Principles." These principles required all business partners to commit to ethical standards that relate to safety, wages, and adherence to local laws [Mattel.com]. However, recently Mattel was involved in a product quality and safety dispute. Since August 1, 2007, Mattel has recalled in 30 million toys because of its quality and safety defects. Mattel lost not only their profits but also trust, an important role in corporate social responsibility (CSR).To achieve it, businesses are responsible for their production causes and consequences and accompany with their ethical operations and health and safety use (Ciulla, Martin, & Solomon, 2007). Mattel's product safety issue undermines the corporate social responsibility issue in three perspectives: quality control, not acting beyond complaints, and disclosure of information. Thus, Mattel is able to regain its CSR through the changes and effort from these three perspectives.
Quality Control
In the case of Mattel, the company and its Chinese subcontractors should simultaneously and corporately exam the product quality. However, people know that toys with extra lead and non-standardized magnetic batteries are under the brand name of Mattel, not the small Chinese contractors. Therefore, Mattel ought to know that they have the social responsibility to inspect the quality; otherwise, their corporate image will be damaged. Moreover, the smart ones should know trust from consumers is extremely important in this highly competitive and unpredictable market (Datamonitor, 2007). Mattel's...