Ben & Jerry's and Unilever: The Bohemian and the Behemoth

Author(s):  
L. J. Bourgeois ◽  
Elio Mariani ◽  
Vivian Jen Yu

Ben & Jerry/Unilever raises the issues of (1) how to bring a nonbusiness culture (B&J) into a corporate culture (Unilever) while preserving the value acquired; (2) how to manage a recently acquired subsidiary whose parent company is an ocean away; (3) how, as a corporate-appointed general manager, the French general manger can gain the trust of the acquired firm; and (4) how (or even whether) to preserve the Social Responsibility (SR) aspects of the target. An additional focus might be how (or whether) to export a socially-responsible firm's values to overseas locations. The case can be positioned near the end of a PMI course, where the students can apply PMI skills in a unique ethical and cultural situation. Alternatively, it can be used in an Ethics course to highlight the challenges of maintaining an SR mission when a public global corporation acquires a local (Vermont) SR organization.

2013 ◽  
Vol 64 ◽  
pp. 7-18
Author(s):  
Renata Matkevičienė

Nuo šio šimtmečio pradžios socialinės atsakomybės tema yra viena jautriausių tiek komunikacijos, tiek verslo srityse: įmonių vadovai, politikai, ekonomistai, mokslininkai svarsto socialinės atsakomybės veiklos apibrėžtis, teikiamą naudą verslui ar visuomenei. Diskusijose galima pastebėti kelis socialinės atsakomybės veiklos svarstymo aspektus: mados (atsakomybė visuomet buvo viena iš verslo siekiamybių ir veiklos pagrindų, todėl jos išryškinimas gali būti siejamas su tam tikra mada), būtinybės (kuri gali kilti dėl kitų verslo organizacijų aktyvios socialinės atsakomybės veiklos arba dėl visuomenės diktuojamo atitinkamos veiklos poreikio), galimi ir kiti požiūriai. Socialinės atsakomybės svarstymuose dažnai iškyla klausimas apie socialinės atsakomybės naudą verslui, apie apskaičiuojamą galimą socialinės atsakomybės grąžą verslui, kuriamą teigiamą įvaizdį ar reputaciją. Verslo organizacijos, siekdamos komunikuoti vykdomą socialiai atsakingą veiklą, tam pasitelkia įvairius renginius, ataskaitas, o dažniausiai – interneto svetaines. Šiame straipsnyje aptarsime ne tik anksčiau įvardytus diskusinius socialinės atsakomybės veiklos aspektus, bet ir ištirsime bei nusakysime galimus verslo organizacijų socialinės atsakomybės komunikacijos aspektus, išryškindami esmines akcentuojamas socialinės atsakomybės sritis. Straipsniu siekiama ne tik paskatinti kritinę diskusiją apie socialinės atsakomybės naudą ir būtinybę verslo organizacijų veikloje ir komunikacijoje, bet ir pažiūrėti, kaip socialinės atsakomybės veikla atsispindi organizacijų interneto svetainėse, su kokiais verslo ar organizacijos veiklos aspektais siejamas socialiai atsakingų veiklų pristatymas. Straipsnio tikslas ir sprendžiama problema formuluojami remiantis 2012 m. lapkričio–gruodžio mėnesiais atlikto Lietuvos organizacijų, priklausančių Baltosios bangos iniciatyvai „Už skaidrų verslą“, interneto svetainių turinio, atskleidžiančio organizacijų pristatomą socialinę atsakomybę, tyrimo ir straipsnio autorės 2013 m. kovą–balandį atlikto tyrimo, kuris papildė ir praplėtė ankstesnį tyrimą, duomenimis.Reikšminiai žodžiai: socialinė atsakomybė, organizacijų komunikacijos procesas, organizacijų veiklos etika, interneto svetainės.Communication of corporate social responsibility in Lithuanian organizations’ websitesRenata Matkevičienė Summary Since the beginning of this century, social responsi­bility has been one of the most sensitive topics in both communication and business areas, and business lead­ers as well as politicians, economists, scientists con­sider the social responsibility activities of the benefits for business or the public. Business organizations communicate socially re­sponsible activities by using a variety of communica­tion events, reports, and mostly websites of business organizations. This article aims to discuss not only the aspects of social responsibility, but also to examine and describe the potential of social responsibility com­munication in business organizations, highlighting the key areas of social responsibility. The article is aimed not only to encourage a critical discussion about the benefits of social responsibility and the need for busi­ness organizations and communications, but also to see how the social responsibility of business is reflected in organizations’ websites and presented to stakeholders. Business organizations’ social responsibility is generally associated with the activities of the organi­zation, which aims to act responsibly: in accordance with the law, creating comfortable working conditions for employees, ensuring profitability – in collabora­tion with colleagues and local community as well as providing services to clients. Socially responsible activities have been associated not only with respon­sible activities, but also with commitments harming the surrounding environment, taking into account that socially responsible activities are voluntary, i.e. based on an organization’s desire to be a responsible, honest, trustworthy member of society not because of business requirements, but also for the organization’s internal needs based on corporate culture. Social responsibil­ity of a business organization not only strengthens it because it involves employees and other groups of stakeholders in the organization’s activities, but it also provides an added value to the organization as a com­petitive advantage. In the article, there were formulated several tasks for communicating organizations’ social responsibil­ity: to provide information, to impact the value or behavioural change. For the communication of social responsibility, organizations use controlled and as well non-controlled communication, and these forms of communication should be integrated to reach the aim of communication. Organizations’ websites are a con­trolled communication means, but they could be impor­tant for providing explicit information about the organi­zation’s socially responsible activities. For this reason, an investigation of communication in the websites of Lithuanian business organiations that have joined the initiative of transparent business was conducted. Organizations communicate their social respon­sibility by presenting codes of ethics, standards, and other formal commitments which show that the orga­nization is a responsible member of society. There were found differences in the communica­tion of social responsibility in Lithuanian (local) and in international organizations: international organizations provide not only statements on the social responsibil­ity of an organization, but also codes of ethics, CSR reports, presentations and videos of the projects, etc. Organizations use one-sided communication for the presentation of social responsibility in their web­sites, and tools for two-sided communication were notes used in many of the websites for communicat­ing social responsibility. On the basis of this finding, the presupposition that organizations use other forms and means for communicating social responsibility was made, because the social responsibility activities carried out by an organization not only show the or­ganization’s responsibility, but also allow linking the organization with certain practices and values, create an added value by increasing the visibility of the or­ganization as a responsible member of the local com­munity, developing and enhancing the organization’s reputation and ensuring its competitive advantage.


2018 ◽  
Vol 34 (62) ◽  
pp. 66-81
Author(s):  
Adriana M. Moreno Moreno ◽  
Eduar Fernando Aguirre González

Social Responsibility is a concept that has been approached from different perspectives by theoreticians and institutions. Initially, this was limited exclusively to companies, however, the creation of the Social Capital, Ethics and Development Initiative by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) sought to make educational institutions aware that, like any other organization, they are responsible for the externalities they generate in their environment and their stakeholders. This research approaches the concept of University Social Responsibility (USR) from the scheme proposed by the IDB, which proposes four axes of action for Universities’ CR: Responsible Campus, Professional and Citizen Training, Social Management of Knowledge and Social Participation. The Universidad del Valle has a strategic plan entitled “Universidad del Valle’s Strategic Development Plan” and Regionalization attached thereto. It has also developed its action plan and in the five strategic issues raised herein, its socially responsible approach is clearly identifiable. The North Cauca Facility wherein this study is being developed, even though it does not have a University Social Responsibility Management Model, has attempted to align its practices with its strategic affairs that broadly conform to the four axes proposed by the IDB. This research addresses a relevant and current issue inasmuch as it proposes to develop a diagnosis on the relationship between the four axes of Social Responsibility proposed by the IDB and the practice of Social Responsibility applied at the Universidad del Valle, North Cauca Facility, for the period 2014-2015. In order to answer the research problem, a qualitative, exploratory and descriptive type of study is used, given that the work was based on the documentary information available at the University, while the interviews with the directors of the Institution are used as a tool for oral history. The research method used is the case study, which allows to address a unit of analysis in depth, in this case the USR within the Universidad del Valle, North Cauca Facility.


2018 ◽  
Vol 57 ◽  
pp. 01017
Author(s):  
Hanna Klimek ◽  
Janusz Dąbrowski

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a tool used by companies to establish positive relations with their surroundings and gain a competitive edge. This also relates to centres providing services, such as seaports. In the past, these served as loading/off-loading and storage stations as well as ship terminals. At present, they have become versatile complexes administering land and infrastructure as well as playing host to numerous enterprises which offer a wide range of services to carriers and freight forwarders. Not only individual businesses but also entire port service hubs can, or even should, be socially responsible nowadays. The topic of this research is the social responsibility of sea ports. This article will discuss the social responsibility of the Port of Gdynia. The objective is to present socially responsible actions taken by Gdynia Port Authority SA and the largest port operators and to assess the progress made on the implementation of CSR there.


2017 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Vasiliki A. Basdekidou ◽  
Artemis A. Styliadou

This article examines the relationship between corporate social responsibility performance (CSR.P) and market trading volatility (MTV) provoking by the release of the non-farm employment payment-reports (NFP) the first Friday each month in the USA. It also discusses the trading opportunities involved in such as volatile environments. Actually, we consider the interaction between the social performance (for environment, employment and community activities) and the financial and trading performance than would be the case for an accumulated functionality in NFP releases. In general, social performance returns are negatively related to trading returns; so, the relatively poor financial and market trading reward (profit), offered by socially responsible ethical ETFs trading the NFP reports, is in accordance to their good social performance regarding employment and environmental aspects. This could be changed if these ethical ETFs incorporate into their arsenal of trading tools a number of CSR.mtv functions (utilities) discussed in this article. Impressively, we find also that considerable bizarre returns are obtained by funds, holding a portfolio of socially least unethical ETFs, involved in short-term or intraday speculations. In this domain, the complex relationship between social, financial and market trading performance, during the NFP “psychological time”, offers great trading opportunities.


Author(s):  
Alison Mackey ◽  
Tyson B. Mackey ◽  
Jay B. Barney

The purpose of this article is to examine whether or not having senior managers who are personally committed to socially responsible causes is either necessary or sufficient for firms to implement socially responsible activities. While not denying that having such senior managers may increase the probability that a firm will pursue a socially responsible agenda, this article concludes that senior manager commitment to socially responsible causes is neither necessary nor sufficient for a firm to implement socially responsible activities. This article has important practical implications for those seeking to increase the amount of socially responsible corporate behavior in the economy. In particular, the arguments developed here suggest that efforts that focus exclusively on changing the social responsibility preferences of senior managers in firms may be misguided, and at the least should be augmented by efforts focused on different firm stakeholders.


2018 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 48-57
Author(s):  
Vesna Štager

Abstract The article deals with the cost of tax compliance which arises for taxpayers from tax complexity and the constant changes in tax legislation. A socially responsible institution for the fiscal aggression is the Financial Administration of the Republic of Slovenia, as its powers and responsibilities creates the tax position of individuals, businesses and the entire economy. The aim of our research is to encourage socially responsible behaviour of legislation institutions in adopting the tax legislation, which will help to improve the social responsibility of taxpayers and increase tax compliance.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 99-112 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Forge

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to address the topic of the social responsibility and the scientist from a philosophical perspective. This is a (relatively) neglected topic, as philosophers have tended to focus on moral responsibility. Nevertheless, it is important, and timely. Design/methodology/approach Analytical, based on the author’s previous work. This is not an empirical study. Findings That it is essential for scientists to adopt a global outlook with respect to their social responsibilities. This is in (stark) contrast to the conclusion that would be reached for moral responsibility. Research limitations/implications In addition to offering some concrete proposals (see below), a general approach to the question is offered that will be useful for further work. Practical implications Were the suggestions for socially responsible science put into practice, then this would entail a re-orientation of some parts of scientific research; for instance, a moratorium on weapons research. Social implications The long-run social implications of not re-orienting science, for instance not to focus even more effort on climate change, will be negative in the extreme. Originality/value The social responsibility of science has always been important, but it is even more important today. By focussing on global responsibility, this paper offers a new approach.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
V.G. Prushkivskyi ◽  
◽  
V.A. Litovka ◽  

The peculiarities of the corporate culture formation of socially responsible metallurgical enterprises are depicted and the scientific and practical recommendations for their management in terms of sustainable innovation are developed in the article. The authors consider the views of scholars on the nature and structure of corporate culture. Norms and values are the most important elements of any organization. It is important to divide the values according to the degree of their acceptance in the organization for the company's corporate culture management: publicly recognized (proclaimed, mastered, supported), actual and desired values. The company's corporate culture is as a complex dynamic hierarchical system consisting of formal (mission, vision, values embodied in the company's practice) and informal (social relationships, role models, rituals, important stories in the company) components that change under the influence of the internal and external environment of the company. This system is closely linked to corporate social responsibility. A corporate culture, which does not have the values of social responsibility and is not aimed at stimulating technological, marketing, social or managerial innovations, cannot achieve sustainable positive social dynamics. The authors have analysed the corporate social responsibility, elements of corporate culture and strategic development of metallurgical enterprises of the METINVEST Group. In recent years, the main efforts of companies have been focused on environmental goals of sustainable development, namely the modernization of enterprises. In order to achieve sustainable innovation and implementation of safety values and care for the environment, metallurgical enterprises need to develop an innovative culture, including stimulating the development of sustainable innovation and innovators among staff, strengthen the implementation of a set of programs that promote modernization in production and environmental aspects, projects aimed at improving the overall environmental situation and raising living standards in the cities of presence.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. 24-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tetiana Galetska ◽  
Topishko Natalya ◽  
Ivan Topishko

Current circumstances are shaping new conditions for the interaction of entities of society. The COVID- 19 coronavirus pandemic tests the partner relationship between government, business and civil society in the system of their social responsibility for the efficiency and morality. The purpose of the study is to reveal the theoretical foundations of the concept of “social responsibility of the state, business, citizen” as a determining factor of formation, self-organization, self-control, modernization of civil society and analysis of the practice of organizing the social responsibility system of economic entities in the EU and in Ukraine. The subject of the research is social responsibility as a fundamental value of society and social institute of regulation of relations in society for ensuring stability of living conditions. The methodology of the research is based on the set of methods of scientific analysis. In particular, dialectical (when characterizing the categorical apparatus of the subject of study); systemic (when analyzing the relationship of socio-economic processes); statistical method of comparisons and groupings; economic analysis (when processing statistics); historical (in the study of the evolution of corporate social responsibility (CSR) theory and practice); empirical (in the analysis of the practice of forming partnerships between business structures, the state and civil society in the European Union and Ukraine). Conclusions of the study. The concept of “social responsibility” is a fundamental value of society, and the system of social responsibility of its entities is a social good. It can be considered as a social institute of socio-economic relations regulation in order to ensure the stability of society and the development of living conditions. The systematization of scientific approaches to defining the social responsibility of economic entities as a social good made it possible to justify it from the standpoint of a public policy object, a system of ethical values of society, voluntary obligations of business and a way of managing a business entity. Features of the current socio-economic situation require strengthening of their socially responsible behavior, introduction and observance of new forms of interaction between business and society on the principles of systematic and longterm. The innovative model of the economy is raising new demands for socially responsible behavior of public relations entities. Models of its realization have their own peculiarities in every EU country. They are all stimulated by state institutional mechanisms (privileges in taxation, subsidies, control over compliance with social and environmental standards); international standards of doing business; control by the public (social reporting to stakeholders). Such institutional levers stimulate the integration of socially responsible behavior into the development strategy of the business structures. The European experience of forming and provision of social positioning of entrepreneurial activity is being studied in Ukraine and is gradually being implemented. The level of transparency of leading companies activities is increasing, especially those, the activities of which are focused on international markets (agribusinesses, energy and metallurgy companies). The lower level of transparency of such information is inherent for mining companies. Transnational companies operating in Ukraine have a higher level of CSR disclosure than domestic organizations. On their websites, twice as often as on websites of the Ukrainian companies, issues on human rights, CSR programs, policies and goals are covered. As the example of the high level of compliance with the CSR principles may serve the activities of the French-Ukrainian company “Verallia-Ukraine” PJSC ”Consumers-Sklo-Zorya” (Rivne region, Ukraine). Many Ukrainian business entities have not yet integrated CSR into their company management strategy. Further promotion of the CSR concept, activation of institutional, economic and social mechanisms for its implementation, evaluation of the effectiveness of its implementation are needed.


2012 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 333 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elias G. Rizkallah

Companies are claiming that they are being challenged to maintain profitability and behave in socially responsible ways. The question is how much the social responsibility is a real pressure. Do consumers really know what the companies, producing their favorite brands, are doing? Do consumers really care? How much of an effect do the company practices have on the consumers response to a brand? Or does the consumer-brand relationship have nothing to do with the companys practices? Does the customers response change with the type of company practices (e.g. environmentally friendly or not, treats well or mistreats employees, relationship with suppliers, supports or doesnt support social causes, etc.)? Does such response depend on who the customer is (e.g. different demographics, loyalty to a brand, or level of awareness of societal issues, etc.)? The study attempts to answer these questions and more. The survey included a random sample of 317 adult individual consumers in the Southern California region. Results of the survey are presented within a conceptual framework hypothesizing that the relationship between the consumer and the brand can be affected differently by the companys different practices in regard to social responsibility; and by the consumers characteristics. The paper concludes with some recommendations that may benefit interested companies, social-action groups, and policymakers.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document