International Business: The New Realities, 5th Edition

Illicit Products and Marketing

Firms might market defective or harmful products or engage in unethical marketing practices. Flawed products or packaging can lead to disastrous outcomes for public health and safety or for natural environments. For example, millions of electronic products from cell phones to computers are discarded every year. Products that could be recycled instead end up in landfills. Excessive product packaging generates pollution and consumes energy and natural resources. Excessive use of plastic packaging is wasteful, and because plastic does not easily decompose, the amount of plastic waste is steadily increasing on land and in the oceans.

Some companies use deceptive means to induce consumers to buy their products. Marketers ...