How It WorksWritersEssay ExamplesSolved AssignmentsReviewsPricing

Business & Management · Expository

Data Protection and Research Ethics at Nike Inc.

Legal frameworks, organizational practices, and ethical research standards

782 words4 min read500-word essays70Updated Mar 2026

A learning sample, donated by a past student. Study how it works; never submit it as your own. Our honor code →

Introduction

Data protection is the legal control of access to data in a computer or any other storage in an organization. Nike Inc. as an organization protects its data by closely monitoring and limiting access by unauthorized persons. According to Data Protection Act 1998, data processing that commences with data collection of personal data, processing and use of market research data by any organizations or research firms has to follow due process where the consent of the respondents has to be sought and ensure the transparency of the process of data is adhered to (Bussche & Voigt, 2017). Data protection ensures that the right of the natural person is protection in the course of data collection, processing and dissemination. The data must be lawful, adequate and should for a specified purpose. Therefore, the data collection in the organization follows the above guidelines.

The rationale of data protection report is to ensure that set principles of data protection are adhered to in keeping the data safe, secure and lawful (Datamonitor, 2013). Some of the challenges that organizations face in data protection are the use of social network where the employees leak Company data through these social networks such as Twitters, Facebook, and Histogram among others. The data breaches are also a challenge that organizations face in data protection where employees and other individuals in the organization leak data information through misplaced laptops (Bussche & Voigt, 2017). Nike Inc. as an organization ensures that their data is safe by the listing of the IT assets to ensure that the IT capacity is adequate to protect the organization data. The organization also assesses periodically the threat scenarios.

The common method of data protection is sophisticated digital software and continuous data backups which are disc-based to protect the data in the organization. The organization should consider security and level of complexity of the method used. In addition, the organization should also consider how the method adapts to changes in the technology (Gutwirth et al., 2016). The report recommends the continuous back-ups of data as it can adapt easily to the changes in the technology and therefore reduces the vulnerability of data in the organization. The method will protect data since the continuous back-up will ensure that the data is monitored and there will be no chance for data hacking and leaking of data to unauthorized persons. It can be implemented by educating the IT department to have real-time data management culture where data configuration is done on the daily basis to prevent any data leakage.

The main ethical concerns in research which Nike Inc. ensures it adhere to are the informed consent, beneficence, respect for confidentiality and privacy. Informed consent requires that the researcher or the interviewer seek permission before conducting an interview with the respondent (Camper et al., 2017). Nike Inc. ensures that the interview explain explicitly the reason for the research and the purpose to the interviewee upon which the respondent accepts to participate by signing the consent form. In the event that the respondent refuses to sign the consent form, the interviewer is expected to end the interview. Beneficence is a research ethics that requires the researcher to take into account the welfare of the respondents and the action of the researcher should not result to damage or infringement of the right of the respondents in any way but should promote welfare and benefits to the respondents. Privacy and confidentially of response from the respondents must adhere to failure to which the researcher can be sued.

The research finding has to be backed with evidence so that the actions can be taken for the findings (Camper et al., 2017). The findings must be represented in the logical and systematic manner so that corrective action can be taken. The follow up is very essential for Nike Inc. as the organization strives to give the customers the best products and be the best organization in the global market.

Conclusion

Research is very fundamental in any business and ethical research practices are very essential for the success of the research and Nike Inc. is no exception. The data protection has become a global concern due to the increase of the data threat and vulnerability and organization has to find possible methods of protecting the data.

References

Bussche, A., & Voigt, P. (2017). Data protection in Germany: Including EU General Data Protection Regulation 2018. Muniche Press.

Camper, M., Newton, P., Anagnostakos, G., Schiaffino, K., Takooshian, H., & Goralnick, J. (2017). Research ethics. Sage Publications.

Datamonitor. (2013). NIKE, Inc. New York, NY: Datamonitor.

Gutwirth, S., Leenes, R. E., & De, H. P. (2016). Data protection on the move: Current developments in ICT and privacy, data protection. Dordrecht: Springer.

Read with the editor
Quality 7.4/107 structural beats2 notes
Writing qualityLacks a central argumentative claim; instead surveys multiple topics without synthesizing them into a coherent position.

Argument structure

  1. Setup
    Defines data protection and legal framework.
  2. Frame
    States rationale for data protection reports.
  3. Evidence
    Lists organizational challenges and responses.
  4. Evidence
    Describes protection methods and recommendations.
  5. Pivot
    Shifts to research ethics without transition.
  6. Evidence
    Lists ethical principles Nike follows.
  7. Close
    Brief conclusion restates importance.

Editor's notes

This essay take you 4 hours to write?

Hand us the prompt. We'll write an original one to your brief and deadline.

Get a custom essay
Did you like this example?

Editor's analysis

What this essay does well, and where it could be stronger.

Rhetorical strengths

Opens with a clear definition of data protection and grounds it in specific legislation (Data Protection Act 1998)
Identifies concrete organizational challenges (social media leaks, misplaced laptops) rather than abstract threats
References multiple ethical principles (informed consent, beneficence, confidentiality) with brief explanations

Improvement opportunities

The shift from data protection to research ethics is abrupt; adding a transition sentence would clarify the connection
The recommendation for continuous backups appears without comparative analysis of alternative methods
Several claims lack supporting evidence (e.g., 'Nike Inc. ensures' statements are assertions rather than demonstrated facts)
The conclusion repeats the introduction's framing without synthesizing the body paragraphs or proposing next steps

Don't copy a sample. Get one written for you.

Original work tailored to your prompt, your level, and your deadline, with the same care that goes into these samples.

Business & Management · Expository8.2

Red Bull's 'Gives You Wings' Advertising Scandal and Settlement

An expository essay on Red Bull's 2014 class-action settlement over false advertising claims. Examines the lawsuit's arguments, the company's defense, and the $13 million verdict that forced a slogan change.

1,018 words5 min read
Business & Management · Analytical7.7

Poor Working Conditions in Coca-Cola Company

An analytical essay diagnosing poor working conditions at Coca-Cola and proposing organizational development interventions to improve employee welfare, productivity, and company performance.

612 words3 min read
Social Issues · Expository7.5

Poorly Built Homes: Problems, Causes, and Solutions

An expository essay examining the problem of poorly built homes through the lens of substandard workmanship, faulty materials, and inadequate contractor oversight, proposing solutions for consumers and regulators.

837 words4 min read

Honor code

Studying it is fair use. Submitting it as your own is not.

These samples are donated by past students and shared as a learning resource. They are not for submission. Copying any sample verbatim would fail Turnitin and violate your institution's academic integrity policy. Read them to understand structure, evidence, and argument, then write your own. See our honor code and DMCA policy for details.