Nike just released the "green" version of Air Jordan's. This version of Air Jordan's has been designed to be more environmentally friendly by using materials that are less toxic and by cutting down on the amount of waste.
Here is a link to the article that was in the January 10, 2008 Fortune:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/01/09/magazines/fortune/gunther_nike.fortune/index.htm
One thing that jumped out at my was the price of the shoes- $230! I couldn't help but think that there was an interesting dichotomy here. On the one hand, Nike seems to be taking charge and trying to do something for the environment. On the other hand, how likely is it that the "average" person can afford these shoes?
We've talked at great lengths about stakeholders in a company. Who would you say benefits from this move? Is there a group of stakeholders that doesn't benefit? Let's hear your thoughts!
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12 comments:
Well this is a great idea because it would help the environment. But here is the thing; the ones who would actually get benefit are the stakeholders because once these shoes are in the market they would be doing a lot of money. Plus these shoes are promoted by a famous basketball player which is a good promotion for the organization.
One thing that all the ones who come up with this idea did not considered is the price, because not so many people would be able to afford to buy a $230 pair of shoes
I think a lot of companies are jumping onto this go green thing. Go green is not a bad idea and I somewhat agree that companies should find alternative methods to doing things. However, at the consumers cost? Nike found that they were disposing of 800 million dollars worth of chemicals in their waste. I could think of better ways to waste your money. How about giving back to the customer? I work for a company that has a lot of vehicles. This company has done studies on purchasing hybrid and not. To my surprise I was told that more natural resources go into the making of the cars, and trucks than if they were normal gas burning ones. Makes me wonder weather all of this is worth it. Hey, I wish Nike well if a company is trying to do good have at it but at your own cost not the customers.
How likely is it that the "average" person can afford these. Aas the saying goes if there is a will there is a way. They'll either put off paying a bill or go deeper in debt(charge it). Who benefits of course the corporation and it's investors and the ones that don't is the consumer. Is it really "green". The only thing that they really stress is not using toxic adhesives. What are the environmentally-preferable materials? Plastics? Leathers? Man made materials? How are these materials made? Does it take more energy to make these compared to the originals?
But I guess in the end your paying for the name.
Personally I think that trying to save the environment its really a good idea, but the price is to high. I know they will be advertising it really good especially cause it has the idea from Michael Jordan someone that played really good and has a lot of advertisement like jerseys, shoes and a lot more. I just believe they should do something about that price.
Going green doesnt that sounds great to anyone? Well I think that it is a good idea trying to save the environment but it is really expensive and I really dont think that as much as they are sabing is worth it to pay that much and for that kind of shoe. The thing with this shoe is that is being prompted by Michael Jordan and that means a lot. Hopefully they success
I think that they are in the right path by trying to eliminate the chemical waste that they use to make their shoes. I think that all companies should be considering on how to eliminate chemical waste. but they should also think about how the price is going to affect the consumer. I personally think that the shoes are too expensive.
I believe that the whole going green thing is great and I'm all for it, but if it affects cost like it does with this new shoe I don't think it will be good for the economy. I'm not too familiar with the price of Air Jordan's, but if the price is so high because of the material it's made from I don't think a lot of people will be able to afford it especially with the economy the way it is. Going green will only be good if it keeps the product at the same price or even cheaper. If not, a lot of businesses will take hard hits for helping the environment and that is not the image the general public is going to want to see. helping the environment should help, not hurt.
Making green jordans was a huge mistake. I have never heard of people looking for green shoes. I am sure there is a market for it somewhere but it is definitely associated with the buyers of jordans shoes. I do not think that nike will benefit from this enough for it to grow into something bigger. for the environment it is a great idea and could help out a lot, but for the market place it is a bad idea.
It's nice that they took an active step and illiminated the use of chemical in their processing. But the added bonus was that they finally took steps toward lean manufacturing which in turn freed up alot of wasted expenditures. These could have been used instead of eliminating jobs that many companies do to create more earnings for stockholders. In the grand jesture of going green and using a basketball legend they create a image of trying to save the damage that has been done to the environment. But, please the price of these shoes is outrageous. It's not like they're taking the proceeds and donating to clean up damage that they have already caused. I just believe that it would have been nice to maximize production with less waste.
I love seeing big name companies like this trying to "go green", and show their care for the environment...BUT how can this make much of a change when the shoes are out of many peoples budgets??? If the shoes were a more affordable shoe by Nike, let's say $60-$80 a pair, I think this concept would grow so fast! Not only is it a popular brand, but it's earth friendly...and who wouldn't want to better the environment? I think they are on the right track, but need to keep ALL the stakeholders in mind, and make this more realistic.
These shoes goes to show how expensive it is to enviormentally friendly. It just like anything else that is good for our earth. Energy effecient windows and doors for houses are like twice the price of a regular one. Most jordans are under $150, but since this pair is "enviornmentally friendly", it just has to cost more money, even though they didnt use the same materials to make all the other authentic jordans. I just think it is to expensive to be enviormentally friendly all the time, atleast right now, since this is a new thing. Maybe once corporations come up with cheaper, and more efficient ways to make products that are good for our earth, i will join the band wagon.
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