Instructions
Research and pick a company that supports corporate social responsibility. Are there programs or initiatives in place to contribute to the community in some way? Review and describe these programs, and comment on their effectiveness to the community and organization, the employees, and the company.
Your homework assignment must be at least two pages in length. Use at least one outside source to support your explanation. Your homework assignment should be formatted in accordance with APA style. All sources used must be referenced; paraphrased and quoted material must have accompanying citations and be cited per APA guidelines.
Please see Sample paper attached.
Running head: STARBUCKS’ CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 1 STARBUCKS’ CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 5 STARBUCKS’ CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY Starbucks’ Corporate Social Responsibility Many business organizations operating in today’s business environment have realized the strategic importance that is placed on their support for corporate social responsibility. This trend is understandable as businesses have come to the realization of the fact that today’s consumers do tend to hold companies they engage with to a higher standard (Porter, M. E., Kramer, M. R., & Zadek, S. 2007). Thus, when they are looking for a company to engage with they seek more than just the product and service the company offers. They want to engage with not only profitable companies but also companies that operate responsibly and have in place efforts that are aimed at ensuring social and environmental aspects are part and parcel of the business strategy. The one particular company that supports corporate social responsibility and has been making a huge impact in regards to this is Starbucks. It is thus the intention of this particular paper to look at Starbucks support for corporate social responsibility and consider and reflect on the programs that the company is currently running that contribute to the benefit of the community in some way. Further, address their impact on the organization and its stakeholders. Starbucks’ CSR programs are formulated on three essential pillars that are the community, the environment, and ethical sourcing. So as to impact the community the most Starbucks’ has established a program through a partnership that has been formulated with nonprofit organizations in areas they operate that has seen the company build local stores in those areas. The stores built are meant to assist the surrounding community in meeting their needs, the company donates a certain percentage of profits obtained from each transaction to the nonprofit partner that eventually goes towards facilitating the community effort to achieve its needs. Besides that, the company has been at the forefront in assisting veterans in the country where it runs a program that focuses on giving priority for employment to war veterans. It also provides training opportunity to youths within the community and also focuses their employment strategy on diversity and inclusion. Ethical sourcing is also a critical CSR program that Starbucks employs and shows its support for corporate social responsibility. Through this particular program, the company has established practical considerations that are to be followed where the business is purchasing its products. In that, the firm usually strives to ensure that products purchased such as coffee, tea, and cocoa are from farmers who are responsible and adhere to ethical ways when they produce them. Thus the company has been over the years and is currently buying its products strictly from those farmers and manufacturers that adhere and uphold the desired standards of ethical treatment (Heslin, P. A., & Ochoa, J. D. 2008). The environment is also an angle through which the company has continuously portrayed its support for CSR. The company has been at the forefront in promoting measures that aim at formulating practical approaches designed to reduce the environmental impact; this is also reflected in the company consideration of the environment as its most significant business partner. The company has been at the forefront through a program that has seen the company build stores that are LEED certified has put in place plans that indicate the company’s commitment towards water and energy conservation. The company through this programs has been trying to align its operation towards and environment-friendly appeal. These programs have been extremely useful. For instance, the company has benefited immensely from its investment in its people and the community has indicated to potential customers that it is a business that puts people first. This has elevated the brand and has created a positive image in the eyes of the society who have remained loyal to the enterprise (Luo, X., & Bhattacharya, C. B. 2006). Besides, the company has experienced less turnover as employees wish to be associated with the brand and also have become the brand ambassadors (Chiang, C. C. S. 2010). The environmental programs have also resulted in positive impact, as the company has shown that it is willing to take steps to reduce its carbon footprints. This has enabled the creation of an eco-friendly environment that is beneficial to the employees and the society as a whole by contributing immensely towards the reduction of the negative impact on the environment. The initiative to employ veterans and the youth have had a positive impact in facilitating the development of the community. Reference Chiang, C. C. S. (2010). How corporate social responsibility influences employee job satisfaction in the hotel industry. Heslin, P. A., & Ochoa, J. D. (2008). Understanding and developing strategic corporate social responsibility. Luo, X., & Bhattacharya, C. B. (2006). Corporate social responsibility, customer satisfaction, and market value. Journal of Marketing, 70(4), 1-18. Porter, M. E., Kramer, M. R., & Zadek, S. (2007). Redefining corporate social responsibility. Harvard business review, 1, 2007. Starbucks Corporation (2017). Responsibility. Retrieved online from https://www.starbucks.co.uk/responsibility