Discussion 4: Exploring Corporate Social Responsibility

Instructions

Let’s continue our efforts to apply some of the ethical theories we are learning about in the so-called “real world.”

Some examples in works of the various video lectures we have watched, and textbook chapters we have read about so far, relate to individual actions, that is, specific behavior by a single person.

However, ethics also applies to groups of people, including nations and other socio-cultural groups, as well as professional groups and institutions, such as professional associations and companies.

Required Resource

Watch this video from Harvard Business School online on the concept of corporate social responsibility: https://youtu.be/ZoKihFLCY0s

A short video overview of the concept of corporate social responsibility and how businesses and industries can consider their ethical obligations to others, both internally and externally.

Supplemental Reading

You can also read this related web article from Harvard Business School online that explains the four major types of Corporate Social responsibility

Links to an external site.

 mentioned in the video:

1. environmental responsibility,
2. ethical responsibility,
3. philanthropic responsibility, and
4. economic responsibility.

Then go on a web search to find an example of a business’ approach to corporate social responsibility. Examples might include a company’s ethics statement or specific projects/targets they commit to in their community. Feel free to look for a business or industry related to your major or career path, or perhaps look up a company you are interested in or for which you are a customer.

1. Post a summary of the example and link to the article, website, and/or video so that others might also read/see it in its original form.
2. Discuss how the example you found practices corporate social responsibility—and you are free to discuss whether it may be limited or seems superficial.
3. Finally, consider how one or more of the ethical theories we are learning about might be underneath the reasoning or approach to corporate responsibility in the example you found (e.g., virtue ethics, utilitarianism, etc.)

Minimum post length of 300 words, please. Include two recent references.

Then reply to at least two of your classmates’ posts with respectful comments, questions of curiosity, and work to make connections and comparisons between the ideas and concepts discussed.

Replies should be at least three complete sentences and present substantive and specific ideas and/or examples.

Supplemental Resource

To understand the concept of corporate social responsibility a bit more deeply, you might listen to Professor Thomas Beschorner of the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, who breaks down the concept a bit further with some specific global business examples: https://youtu.be/l9IyDvkxADU

Or, to complicate your thinking (in a positive way), consider watching this TED Talk by Rachel Hutchisson, a tech executive who focuses on philanthropy. She argues that the role of individual human actors will again have a stronger role in developing ethical workplace-community relations, largely due to the importance of small to mid-size business. https://youtu.be/N8dXNzCIVxg

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Required Reading

Two key concepts/vocabulary in philosophy related to this idea :

1. Beneficence is when an action or rule-based duty is intended to benefit others. Beneficent actions can be voluntary or obligatory. Both Mill and Kant discussed the moral psychology, strengths, and limitations around the concept of beneficence in their works.
   Read more at the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy entry on ” The Principle of Beneficence in Applied Ethics
2. Links to an external site.
3.  .”
4. False Dichotomy/False Dilemma—Too often, we consider ethical issues as all-or-nothing situations; it is important we do not discuss the issues as concepts involved as false dilemmas. For example, corporate social responsibility does not create a false dilemma by dividing profit v. people or profit v. the planet—it looks for shared solutions.
   Read more about the logic or rhetorical fallacy of creating a false dichotomy, or false dilemma
5. Links to an external site.
6.  .

HERE ARE THE TWO POSTS TO RESPOND FOR THE SECOND PORTION OF THE ASSIGNMENT. Respond in 150 words each

1.  

According to the Harvard Business School, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is “the idea that a business has a responsibility to the society that exists around it.” This includes environmental responsibility, ethical responsibility, philanthropic responsibility, and economic responsibility (Stobierski, 2021). The company that I chose to evaluate for this discussion is Starbucks as I frequent this business for coffee and the occasional snacks.

https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/reporting-hub

Links to an external site.

The website listed above provides a consolidated view that allows you to click on different documents that Starbucks has published in regards to their social responsibilities. These documents include things such as their policies and practices, global impact reports, civil rights assessments, how they achieve uniting communities and accomplishing sustainability, and other reports and disclosures.

For environmental responsibility, Starbucks quotes on their 2023 Global Impact Report: “At Starbucks, we promise to give more than we take from the planet. Our comprehensive approach is built on our commitment to build a more sustainable, equitable and resilient future for coffee, farmers, communities and our planet. Across our company, we are testing and scaling innovative solutions to support partners, farmers and communities in the face of global climate change” (ESG resources, 2024).

For ethical responsibility, Starbucks quotes on their Global Human Rights Statement document that “It is not only a business imperative, but it is our responsibility to create a culture of

warmth and inclusion where everyone is welcome, respected and valued” (ESG resources, 2024).  While Starbucks is known to be a rather inclusive and open-minded organization, I think it would be important to speak with people who actually work there to get a better idea of if this sentiment is true.

For philanthropic responsibility, Starbucks quotes that “Starbucks has a long history of working with coffee and tea origin communities to address their most critical needs such as access to water, sanitation, health and education. Since 2005, The Starbucks Foundation has invested more than $25 million in programs that strengthen coffee and tea-growing communities” (ESG resources, 2024).

For economic responsibility, Starbucks quotes that “We create all compensation offers consistently. For our most common jobs, we use an offer standards calculator to determine target starting pay ranges based on a candidate’s experience. Other offers follow guidelines that account for geography and capability in role when setting pay within a competitive range” (ESG resources, 2024).

I do not feel as though Starbucks’ corporate social responsibility approach is limited. They seem to address all the different aspects of corporate responsibility. As I noted earlier, I think it is important to speak with different people within different levels of the company to get a better idea on if Starbucks adheres to these ethics. I also feel as though Starbucks practices virtue ethics. Many of their views and statements that they put out tend to seem universally acceptable and virtuous.

Works Cited:

ESG resources: Starbucks Coffee Company. ESG Resources: Starbucks Coffee Company. (2024). https://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/reporting-hub/

Stobierski, T. (2021, April 8). What is Corporate Social Responsibility? 4 types. Business Insights Blog. https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/types-of-corporate-social-responsibility

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https://www.patagonia.com/one-percent-for-the-planet.html

Links to an external site.

In the article 1% for the Planet by Patagonia, it explains that “Since 1985, Patagonia has pledged 1% of sales to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment” (Patagonia, 2024). They have donated over $140 million dollars to local communities and environmental activists to make a real difference in the world in all kinds of ways whether it be for climate change or protecting an area of wilderness. The founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard, and the owner of Blue-Ribbon Flies Craig Mathews created a non-profit organization for cooperations and businesses, including themselves, to donate 1% of their annual revenue to that directly impacts the environment and saving it. Patagonia is known for their outdoor and active gear while the other side of their cooperation is dedicated to the preservation and restoration of the natural environment and has been for decades. One specific example is from an article on Noah’s Clothing brand and how his concern for the increased number of beached whales on the Long Island Coast led him to donate 100% of profits from his Whale 5-panel hats to further whale conservation projects by CRESLI’s mission. Patagonia’s and Noah’s missions have directly impacted the environment by practicing corporate social responsibility by giving back to its society for a greater good rather than just taking. 

Corporate social responsibility can best be associated with utilitarianism as you gain pleasure from an action despite the sacrifices you may have to make. Donating 1% of your revenue to directly impact the planet and environment is a choice one makes for the greater good as not everyone would make the same choices when that money could directly benefit them instead. Many cooperations could use their belief of utilitarianism as an underneath reasoning for their social responsibility no matter what case that may be, big or small. The idea is to give back rather than take and take and take like many cooperations do and anywhere is a start.