Nike has been dodging accusations of employing people in developing and under-developed countries, in poor work environments at minimal wages. Having tried course correction and public relations in attempt to salvage the horrific image generated by the sweatshops that Nike is said to be running, Nike has undertaken massive efforts in attempts to overcome these obstacles. This paper will focus on Nike's ethical beginnings, how Nike factories became a worldwide media topic and explore various problems, difficulties, and ethical decisions the corporation has encountered when conducting business on a global stage in search of production, cost effectiveness, and profitability.
             Nike is a company, which has experienced extreme success throughout its career. Both the name itself and the signature logo are synonymous with the sporting industry. The name Nike comes from the winged Greek goddess of victory, which is suiting, as the company is often associated with the success and victory of athletes throughout the world.
             Two men, Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman, started the company in 1964 with a casual agreement and a handshake between University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, a runner competing under Bowerman. The pair formed Blue Ribbon Sports and began importing Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger running shoes, known today as ASICs, for sale in the U.S. Nike, now the number one manufacturer of footwear and apparel, has become a household name on the same level as market dominating companies such as McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Budweiser.
             Headquartered in Portland, Oregon, the sportswear and equipment supplier made $16 billion in revenue in 2007, up from 9.2 billion in 1997. Nike currently employs 30,000 people worldwide.
             Nike sells products under Nike, Inc., Nike Golf, Nike+, Nike Pro, Nike SB (Skateboarding), Air Jordan, and Team Starter, with subsidiaries Cole Haan, Umbro (since 2007), Converse, and Hurley I...