Globalization Outsourcing Perspective PART 3 by Cristian Cortez There’s basically two factors we need to keep an eye on, the obtention of the materials comes first. In example, Intel is creating a responsible supply chain to ensure minerals that finance violence don’t end up in the devices we use every day2. I learn from one of my favorites programs 3 that tantalum, tin, tungsten, and gold are referred to as conflict minerals. They are integral to the technology and other things we rely on every day: from laptops, phones, and tablets to cars, airplanes, lighting, and jewelry. Militias and rebel groups in eastern Congo, funded by the sale of these minerals, have killed over 5 million people since 1998. The second factor is sustainable design and manufacturing to cite we can take as example the production of Arduino. Every time you buy from them you get a notice in their policy 4, that i took the time to read carefully, and says that they make every attempt to have the hardware manufactured under reasonably fair labor conditions (down to the board level). In other words, ask your vendors about their labor practices. We can't change the world, but we can try, one company at a time. So there are ways to certify that the products were developed in a sustainable way (like Arduino) and new programs to guarantee the materials used provide from a sustainable chain of providers (like Intel). So as customers we need to start putting an eye on them. References [ 1 ] Beam Smart Presence https://suitabletech.com/products/beam and Beam Store https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_VQ_VI21l4g [ 2 ] Intel: Conflic Fee Materials https://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/corporate-responsibility/conflict-free-minerals.html [ 3 ] Unboxing Therapy: Mystery Unboxing From Intel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHFPSuXEbAI [ 4 ] Arduino Policy https://www.arduino.cc/en/Main/Policy