Scheler Modified: Levi’s

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V&R Chapter 5 proposes Scheler’s estate as the norm of business ethics.  I put forward Brunello Cucinelli (http://www.libertylawsite.org/2016/03/23/a-better-account-of-corporate-social-responsibility/) as an ideal of the estate with Patagonia as a modified runner-up (and then downgraded on learning more about its business model: http://www.ethicsoffashion.com/patagonia-actually-moral/).  Levi’s has a thoughtful leadership (https://www.fastcompany.com/3067895/moving-the-needle/levis-is-radically-redefining-sustainability) and connects with Scheler at a few points.…

Under Armour goes localist!

Business plans, Localism, News!Leave a comment

News indeed!  And credit where credit is due.   In a number of earlier posts, I have been critical of Under Armour’s commitment to Baltimore not being matched by a commitment to manufacturing in Baltimore.  That is starting to change (https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/business/wp/2017/01/30/under-armour-debuts-made-in-the-u-s-gear-and-tests-what-we-think-we-know-about-manufacturing-in-america/?utm_term=.936aae807586).   Taking a leaf from Zara’s book (http://www.ethicsoffashion.com/fast-fashion-localism/), Under Armour has linked design and…

Localism and L.L. Bean

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*I would like to thank Jordan Ross for supplying the opening image to this post.  More of Jordan’s work is at: www.jordanrossmedia.com   L.L. Bean is a model of localism (http://www.ethicsoffashion.com/baltimore-and-under-armour/). It is also a challenge to something heard around business schools all the time: businesses must grow!   This supposed imperative is not a moral…

Baltimore and Under Armour

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This post continues an earlier one on a talk by the CEO of Under Armour (http://www.ethicsoffashion.com/armour-morally-responsible-company/). Affirming the company’s moral standing, Kevin Plank argues that Under Armour provides thousands of jobs for the poor overseas and with a major redevelopment of underused land in Baltimore City for flats, housing, and restaurants also gives back to…

Is Under Armour a morally responsible company?

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As a resident of Baltimore City, I am delighted Under Armour is thriving. Kevin Plank, the founder of the sports wear company, is justifiably proud of what he has accomplished and the good the company does. In a recent interview, he has strongly affirmed the company’s moral character (https://www.fastcompany.com/3065326/the-fast-company-innovation-festival/under-armours-founder-makes-a-passionate-defense-of-big).   He points to two things:…

Let’s hope Pierre Bergé is wrong

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This post’s title might better run: Ethically, Pierre Bergé is wrong. A brief article describes how he is building two museums to house the YSL archive (http://www.wsj.com/articles/the-man-who-gave-us-trench-coats-and-pantsuits-1476895166).  YSL was something of a hoarder and unlike most designers a voluminous record of clothes, sketches, and accessories exists. So many, in fact, that the museums, one in…