This article is published in a peer-reviewed section of the Utrecht Law Review

4. Apple

4.1. Apple’s profile

Apple Inc. (hereafter Apple) was established in 1977 and is registered on the NASDAQ Global Select 

Market exchange.

110

 According to its Form 10-K

111

 ‘Apple designs, manufactures and markets mobile 

101 Ibid., p. 24.

102 Ibid., p. 24.

103 G. Milovanović et al., N. Barac & A. Andjelković, ‘Corporate Social Responsability in the Globalisation Era’, 2009 Economics and Organiza-

tion 6, no. 2, p. 92.

104 

OECD-ILO, ‘Overview of Selected Initiatives and Instruments Relevant to Corporate Social Responsibility’, OECD-ILO Conference on CSR, 

Employment and Industrial Relations: Promoting Responsible Conduct in a Globalising Economy, Paris, 23-24 June 2008, pp. 5-6.

105 The Walmart Global Responsibility Report 2010 devotes special attention to the importance of women for Walmart.

106 Walmart, ‘Walmart Global Responsibility Report : Social’, 2011, p. 40,  <

http://walmartstores.com/Sustainability/7951.aspx

> (last visited 

28 November 2011).

107 Ibid.

108 The ICTI CARE Process allows buyers and suppliers to reduce their own auditing of labour standards and redirect their resources toward 

factory development and capacity building. Retrieved from Walmart Responsability Report 2011, p. 79. The ICTI Care Process policy can 

be found at <

http://www.icti-care.org/process-policies/working-hours-policy-amendment.htm

> (last visited 29 June 2012).

109 Ibid.

110 Apple Inc., Form 10-K, <

http://investor.apple.com/

> (last visited 26 March 2012).

111 According to the US Securities and Exchange Commission a Form 10-K ‘provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s business 

and financial condition and includes audited financial statements. Although similarly named, the annual report on Form 10-K is distinct 

---

62

Four Case Studies on Corporate Social Responsibility 

communications, media devices, personal computers and portable digital music players, and sells a 

variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content 

and applications’.

112

 Its products are sold through Apple’s retail stores, online stores and third parties. 

 

Apple is a world leader in producing innovative electronic goods and technology. In 2011 Apple’s 

net sales were estimated at $108.2 million. Its net sales in 2011 increased by 60% compared to 2010.

113

 

Apple worldwide employs 60,400 full-time people and 2,900 temporary employees and contractors. The 

company utilizes outsourcing through the manufacturing of its products overseas; most of the factories 

are located in Asia.