Managing Recalls: Everybody’s Business

Since products are typically recalled because they present harm to consumers, the recent increase in product recalls should be a matter of concern for everyone, especially because the injuries and deaths defective products cause are bound to result in untold societal costs. In addition to physical injury, product defects lead to property damage, which can cause severe financial and psychological distress to consumers. Also, administering recalls and managing recall consequences can be very costly to companies, both financially and in terms of reputation. Certainly, company managers play a major role in the crusade to decrease recalls and increase consumer product safety, but there are other stakeholders as well who should be expected to take part in increasing consumer product safety.