Apple

Question 1

Where does the R&D/programming get done

Answer 1

Its headquarters are based in Cupertino, California. This is where much of the programming is done

Question 2

How many people does apple employ in the USA

Answer 2

• Around 90,000
• 6,000 people are employed in Texas for Mac Pro assembly

Question 3

Where is the eu headquarters

Answer 3

Cork island - Ireland
For lower tax reasons

Question 4

What is Apple

Answer 4

A US-based TNC known for designing and selling electronics like iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks

Question 5

How large is Apple

Answer 5

One of the largest TNCs in the world
Valued at over $2 trillion
Operating in over 100 countries

Question 6

Who does apples manufacturing

Answer 6

Mostly outsourced to China, particularly Foxconn factories in Shenzhen and Zhengzhou

Question 7

Positive economic impacts of Apple

Answer 7

•Jobs created (4.8 million jobs in China, Foxconn is chinas largest private employer of 1.3 million)
•Boost to China’s exports and economy
•Tax revenue in countries with Apple stores

Question 8

Negative economic impacts of Apple

Answer 8

•Accusations of tax avoidance e.g. using Ireland as a low-tax base
•Profits repatriated to the US
•Poor working conditions in some supplier factories (e.g. long hours, low pay at Foxconn)

Question 9

Social and environmental criticisms

Answer 9

•Exploitation of labour, suicides at Foxconn, child labour allegations in mineral mining
•E-waste issues – frequent product upgrades create electronic waste
•Environmental costs from energy use, mining of rare earths, and carbon emissions

Question 10

Apple and global governance

Answer 10

•Accused of avoiding corporate tax using subsidiaries in Ireland and elsewhere
•Faced EU investigation and pressure to repay €13 billion in unpaid taxes

Question 11

How many suicudes were there in 2010

Answer 11

14

Question 12

What is Ireland corporate tax

Answer 12

12.5% one of the lowest in the eu

Apple made deals with the Irish government allowing it to pay as little as 0.005% tax on European profits at one point

Question 13

Working conditions - Foxconn

Answer 13

Most workers live on site
Wages around $150-200/month
Workers regularly working over 60 hour/week
Student and child labour-employees under 18 are subject to the same conditions

Question 14

Environmental issues

Answer 14

Criticism from greenpeace
Use of toxic chemicals in manufacturing
Reliance on non renewable resources
Chinese factories discharge pollutants
Lack of recyclability

Question 15

Apple response environment

Answer 15

Launching ‘green my apple’
Now uses 75% renewable energy
Investment in large solar farms
Removed pvc plastics and brominats chemicals