15. Social, moral and ethical considerations Flashcards
How can social issues arise from a company?
Social issues can arise when a new product has an unforeseen side effect on a group of people
What makes a product socially unacceptable?
If a product was dangerous or affected a person’s health, employment or wealth
How can a design have a positive social impact?
It can influence issues such as health and well-being, housing, migration and poverty
What is Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
It relates to a company’s efforts to support society and sustainable development; being responsible for their own impact.
It is a self-regulatory framework that encourages companies to build long term, sincere goals to find ethical and sustainable solutions.
What is an example of a company being socially responsible?
Bosch
- Promised to be carbon neutral by 2020
- Their energy efficiency program plans to save 1.7 terawatt hours of power; enough to power a small city for a year.
What factors should consider to be socially responsible?
- Health and safety of employees
- Employees have a fair wage
- Equal rights policy
- Appropriate training schemes for employees
- Flexible hours policy
- Employees being sponsored through university
Does the company contribute local community?
What is the danger of stereotypes?
Stereotypes exist in all areas of life and can be very damaging to progress and mental health for many
What is moral dilemma?
Products can be morally challenging to some cultural or religious groups which could have the product banned.
What are examples of moral dilemmas?
- Computer games can involve shooting and have realistic graphics
- The use of animal fur for garments offends some in society
- Gambling is illegal in some countries therefore fruit machines and roulette wheels wouldn’t sell and could offend.
WHAT IS AN EXAMPLE OF ETHICAL IMPLICATIONS?
Some of the mobile technology we carry around, and that we have at home, is capable of listening to, and recording our conservations
How can products cause offence?
Cultural issues can arise when a designer fails to investigate whether a new product could cause offence
What are examples of products causing offence?
Common issues are with inappropriate use of colour, words, gesture4s, signs ands symbols that have different meanings around the world
What are the example of measures to ensure sustainable, ethical production?
Use of labour, use of materials, manufacturing methods, product profile
Use of labour definition
If the employee is fairly paid, safe conditions, child and trafficked labour avoided
Use of materials definition
Are they renewable, are they ethically sourced, are they used efficiently, are they recyclable?
Manufacturing methods definition in terms of sustainable, ethical production
Are they efficient in the use of energy and materials, do they pollute, are they safe?
Product profile definition in terms of sustainable, ethical production
Does it have a positive influence on society or the environment, will it last, is it recyclable and repairable
What do designs that have a positive impact involve?
- Using only renewable materials from managed sources
- Using renewable energy to power the production of products
- Using only recycled and recyclable materials
- Designing products to be repairable, reusable and recyclable
- Producing products with low power consumption
- Designing products with fewer components and less weight
- Designing products that are upgradable to extend their life
- Creating products that are sourced, produced and sold locally
Best 6R’s in order?
Refuse, rethink, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle
What does Fairtrade and these type of companies do?
Fairtrade and many other not-for-profit organisations support workers across the globe to get a fair price for their goods, whilst protecting communities and the environment
What do designers realise what companies want?
They want quality products with good provenance and try to incorporate this into their product ranges
What is the idea of inclusive design?
Designs may be developed to be easily used by the elderly, the disabled, the large and the small
What are examples of inclusive design?
Pedestrian crossings have been designed using audible beeps and bright colours for the partially sighted.
They are positioned within easy reach of wheelchairs
What methods can make a product accessible?
One size fits all approach
A range of sizes to fit all users
Adjustable to allow use by all
Adaptable to suit the user, location or task
How can body scanners and 3d printing help disabled users
They can make more comfortable, customised sockets so limbs fit better and can be worn for longer
How can lightweight and flexible materials help disabled people
It can improve shock absorbency and freedom of movement
