Business & Finance CSR - Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Performance is the configuration of a company's Principles of Social Responsibility, Processes of Corporate Social Responsiveness and Outcomes of Social Action. In order to evaluate the social performance of an organization we need to understand the organization's principles and values (what it believes in, and what guides its actions), and "how they do things", or the processes used to produce its products/services.
pick two companies that your group admires - one small sized (less than 30 employees) and one large company (more than 500 employees).
Then, do some research on each of these two companies and find out:
Corporate social responsibility-related values and beliefs of each company (which are part of the company's Culture)
Corporate responsible ways used by each of them that guide "how" they do things. For example, how do they procure their inputs, how they treat their employees, how they support the communities, etc.
Then write up your findings and conclusions comparing the two companies. Organize your writing using the following table (about 1,000 words).
Companies, Beliefs and Actions
Name of small company:
Name of large company:
Values and Beliefs for each
Actions: “How” they do things responsibly: for each:
Name of large company: Unilever
| Feature | Patagonia | Unilever |
|---|---|---|
| Values and Beliefs | * Environmentalism: Deep commitment to protecting the environment and reducing their impact. <br> * Quality: Focus on producing durable, high-quality products. <br> * Fair Labor Practices: Commitment to fair wages and safe working conditions throughout their supply chain. <br> * Transparency: Open communication about their supply chain and environmental impact. <br> * Activism: Using their platform to advocate for environmental protection and social justice. | * Sustainability: Central to their business strategy, with a focus on reducing environmental impact and improving social conditions. <br> * Positive Impact: Commitment to making a positive contribution to society through their products and operations. <br> * Fairness: Respecting human rights and promoting fair labor practices. <br> * Diversity and Inclusion: Creating a diverse and inclusive workplace. <br> * Health and Wellbeing: Improving health and hygiene through their products and initiatives. |
| Actions: “How” they do things responsibly | * Supply Chain: Patagonia has a strong focus on ethical sourcing. They trace their supply chain to ensure fair labor practices and environmental responsibility. They use recycled materials whenever possible and have programs to reduce their environmental footprint. They are transparent about their suppliers and their challenges. <br> * Manufacturing: They prioritize reducing their environmental impact in manufacturing, using renewable energy and minimizing waste. They also offer repair services to extend the life of their products. <br> * Employee Treatment: Patagonia is known for its positive work environment and employee benefits. They offer flexible work arrangements and encourage employees to be involved in environmental activism. <br> * Community Support: They support environmental organizations and grassroots movements through grants and advocacy. They encourage employees to volunteer for environmental causes. <br> * Advocacy: Patagonia actively campaigns for environmental protection and social justice. They use their brand and platform to raise awareness about critical issues. | * Sustainable Living Plan: Unilever's Sustainable Living Plan guides its actions. It focuses on improving health and wellbeing, reducing environmental impact, and enhancing livelihoods. <br> * Sustainable Sourcing: They are committed to sourcing raw materials sustainably, with a focus on palm oil, tea, cocoa, and other agricultural products. They work with farmers to improve their practices and reduce environmental impact. <br> * Environmental Impact Reduction: They have set ambitious targets for reducing their greenhouse gas emissions, water usage, and waste. They are also working to improve the sustainability of their packaging. <br> * Social Impact Programs: Unilever runs numerous programs to improve health, hygiene, and livelihoods in communities around the world. They focus on issues like sanitation, access to clean water, and women's empowerment. <br> * Diversity and Inclusion: Unilever has programs to promote diversity and inclusion in its workforce and leadership. |
| Comparison and Conclusions | Both Patagonia and Unilever demonstrate a strong commitment to CSP, but their approaches differ. Patagonia's approach is deeply rooted in environmental activism and a focus on minimizing their environmental footprint. They emphasize transparency and advocate for systemic change. Their smaller size (relatively) allows them to be more agile and responsive to emerging issues. <br> Unilever, as a large multinational corporation, focuses on integrating sustainability into its core business strategy. Their Sustainable Living Plan provides a framework for their actions across a broad range of social and environmental issues. Their vast scale allows them to have a significant positive impact on global issues. <br> While Patagonia's activism-driven approach might be more visible, Unilever's large-scale initiatives have a broader reach. Both companies demonstrate that CSP can be a driver of innovation and business success, regardless of company size. They also show that different approaches can be effective, as long as they are authentic and aligned with the company's values. <br> For smaller companies, a focus on local communities and direct engagement can be highly effective. For larger companies, systemic changes across their supply chain and operations are crucial. Ultimately, both companies show that CSP is not just about philanthropy; it's about integrating social and environmental considerations into every aspect of the business. |
Companies, Beliefs, and Actions: A Comparative Analysis
This report analyzes the corporate social performance (CSP) of two companies, one small and one large, focusing on their values, beliefs, and responsible actions. The analysis aims to understand how each company integrates social responsibility into its operations and culture.
Name of small company: Patagonia (Though they have over 2000 employees, they started small and maintain a strong focus on their core values, making them a good example of a company with a small business mindset related to CSR even as they grow).