Samsung Note 7 Explosion: Description Of The Problem

Name:
Instructor:
Institution:
Date:
Introduction
Recently, one of the most discussed problems in the Smartphone industry was about Samsung Galaxy Note 7, a product phone of Samsung Company. The device had a battery that could overheat and catch fire. This problem was caused by a default in the battery system, rendering the device unfit for use. This problem caused a wave around the world because many people had bought the device. Therefore, this paper seeks to analyze the case, and use the various tests of ethics to determine whether the situation was ethical or not.
Description of the problem
The battery problem of Samsung Galaxy Note 7 was investigated by two investigative teams from Samsung Company, and an independent scientific firm. The findings from both teams concluded that, the overheating was caused by two separate problems in the battery. The battery had a problem that caused the separator to become weak, which caused short circuiting. The separator was damaged by some cells that were missing insulation tape. Further investigation showed that in some batteries, the separators were too thin, increasing the risk of overheating.
Furthermore, after realizing this mistake, Samsung re-called the faulty devices and customers were given free replacement devices. However, even the so called safe devices had a similar problem. It was later discovered that Samsung had made a wrong diagnosis of the earlier problem. Although the new devices had lithium-ion batteries, which are two to ten times denser than other batteries, the flammable substance in the batteries presented a great risk of fire.
Wall Street Journal Model
Under this model, the Samsung situation will be subjected under three prong tests for resolving ethical dilemmas.
a) Was this conduct in compliance with the law?
The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 situation was not in compliance with the law. The device was overheating and could catch fire. Furthermore the battery of the device had numerous problems. This device was not in compliance with consumers’ laws that seek to protect them. The battery catching fire could have caused health problems to consumers.
b) What contribution did this conduct have to the shareholders, community, employees?
To the employees, this was a damaging situation. It showed the incompetence of the employees who manufactured the batteries. The community which consists of the customers who purc...