Case questions:

1. What strategies can be employed to facilitate rapid growth while maintaining responsible sourcing practices in a company with a highly sought-after and specialized product? To what extent does the company bear responsibility throughout its supply chain, and what mechanisms should be implemented for effective monitoring?

2. What impact do the media and consumers have on businesses’ sustainability and policy

decisions? How do these external factors shape companies’ approach and address

sustainability challenges?

3. In an era of increased global interconnectedness, how should businesses navigate the

challenges of sensational or viral news? What strategies can be adopted to effectively

manage the repercussions of such news in a connected world?

4. What influence does globalization exert on consumer-facing businesses? How should

such businesses anticipate and respond to the effects of a globalized environment, and

what are the recommended timelines for preparation and response?

5. Can a company comprehensively tackle social sustainability issues? To what extent can

businesses effectively address and resolve challenges related to social sustainability?

6. How would you answer these questions as an Apple shareholder, human rights

organization, government of developing country, or consumer? How do each

stakeholder’s opinions affect Apple’s business?