Ethics in the digital workplace
Digitisation and automation technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), can affect working conditions in a variety of ways and their use in the workplace raises a host of new ethical concerns.
Iccab is an Italian apparel company, well known for manufacturing the brand "Marina Militare" (Italian Navy). According to the news, the company has been backshoring up to 40% of its production from China to Italy over the last few years. Panerai, the owner of the company, stated that changes in the exchange rate between the dollar and the euro have created extra costs for imports from China. Other reasons for the repatriation included the high quality of production in Italian industrial districts and out of loyalty to the country. The latter could be an important strategic move as the company's contract with the Italian Navy will expire in 2020, and a display of patriotism could help to ensure the extension of the Marina Militare license.
Eurofound (2015), Iccab, Reshoring in Italy, factsheet number 197, European Restructuring Monitor. Dublin, https://restructuringeventsprod.azurewebsites.net/restructuring-events/detail/197.