Making a (Corporate) Killing

This chapter confronts the sobering reality of human costs associated with corporate activities, focusing on a number of diverse industries. It meticulously investigates the intricate web of global supply chains, exploring the often-hidden consequences that result in loss of life and human suffering. The initial section delves into why we often fail to recognise the harms that pervade the contemporary landscape and the all too common mistake of thinking that such incidents are due to a few ‘rotten apples’. The chapter then explores why such issues are more systemic than previously realised, with a deep-dive into the expansive and intricate world of iPhone production, fast fashion, fast food, sugary drinks and e-commerce, unravelling the human toll embedded in the manufacturing and labour processes. From the extraction of rare minerals to assembly line operations, the chapter meticulously examines the impact on workers, revealing instances of hazardous working conditions, exploitation and, tragically, deaths. Through in-depth case studies and investigative reports, the chapter aims to shed light on the complexities of corporate responsibility in a technologically driven era.