今日の単語・フレーズ
Read the following words/expressions found in today’s article.
1. allegation / ˌæl ɪˈgeɪ ʃən / (n.) – a statement that someone has committed a crime
Example: The company’s executive faced allegations of corruption.
2. malfunction / mælˈfʌŋk ʃən / (v.) – to fail to work correctly
Example: Mishandling a laptop can cause it to malfunction.
3. recall / rɪˈkɔl / (v.) – to order the return of a product to its manufacturer
Example: The company recalled millions of laptops because of defects.
4. brand image / brænd ˈɪm ɪdʒ / (n.) – the customers’ impression of a product or service
Example: Strong brand image contributed to the company’s success.
5. constituent / kənˈstɪtʃ u ənt / (adj.) – a part of a whole
Example: The mechanic bought the constituent parts of the engine to fix it.【Article】
ニュース記事
Read the text below.
Samsung is facing another lawsuit due to allegations that its washing machines are faulty.
Over a dozen Samsung customers filed a lawsuit against the South Korean technology firm, claiming that its top-loading washing machines exploded during use. In response, Samsung partnered with the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), an agency that protects consumers from product-related risks, to address the safety issues related to the washing machines.
According to complaints, the machines malfunction when carrying bulky and heavy materials. The load reportedly causes the machines to vibrate violently and explode.
Not long ago, Samsung also faced a lawsuit over some faulty Galaxy Note 7 units. In October, the technology company was forced to recall around 2.5 million units of said smartphone after receiving reports that it overheats and catches fire because of faulty batteries.
After numerous complaints, Samsung decided to halt the sales and production of the Galaxy Note 7. The company is currently in the process of providing refunds and exchanges for the smartphone.
Tony Chapman, a marketing and brand expert, says that these scandals could cause significant damage to Samsung’s brand image and reputation. He believes that the recent incidents could alter the way consumers think about the brand, which could make them switch to competitors.
On the other hand, some analysts claim that this issue would not affect Samsung as much as many expect. In fact, the company’s total profit is predicted to increase to 30% in 2017 because of its constituent businesses, which include Samsung Semiconductor and Samsung LED.
|
ディスカッションテーマ
Enjoy a discussion with your tutor.
Discussion A
· Do you think that people will still buy Samsung products? Why or why not?
· How can Samsung recover from the abovementioned issues? Propose a solution.
Discussion B
· How can consumers avoid buying faulty products? Discuss.
How should businesses prevent incidents like these?
