Due to the distance between yourself and the factory, intermittent checks cannot be completed as the product is being produced. You may receive the full order and one aspect of every unit could be incorrect. -
Maintaining and managing working relationships The distance, cultural and language barrier present a problem when attempting to maintain relationships. The manner in which problems are resolved in one country is completely different to that of the next and may cause offence.
-
Unauthorised use of intellectual property The distance and different market means intellectual property could in infringed and designs could be copied/stolen.
-
Standards Standards vary from market to market. There are international standards and manufacturers should be aware of the standards of the market into which the product will enter. However there is still an opportunity for the failure to uphold these standards which, in the worst case, would mean receiving a shipment that is not fit for sale. The distance between designer and factory also means inspection is difficult and costly.
-
Impact of design practice There is a distancing between design and manufacture and a loss of potential experience which could later inform the design process with a greater knowledge of manufacturing process and material properties.
Business ethics Transparency is essential to business. It must be maintained in relation to taxation, both locally and internationally, material sourcing, recycling, industrial process, intellectual property and internal structure. Only if transparency would disrupt the working process, endanger an individual’s privacy or threaten the profitability of the business (in terms of trade secrets/internal discoveries) would it be revoked. Offshore manufacture will be adopted to increase profitability, streamline and speed up the manufacturing process and increase global networking and company relationships. It is imperative that companies be researched and understood before any business is undertaken. Living wages, safe and decent working conditions and management structure must be considered before a transaction is completed.
Sustainability