Case Study: Timberland’s Model of Corporate Social Responsibility
Yichao Chen 1215615 1. Timberland’s exercise of its corporate power in society should be characterized as Corporate Social Responsibility. CSR means that a corporation should act in a way that enhances society and its inhabitants and be held accountable for any of its actions that affect people, communities and environment. According to the article, Timberland exercising its power to affect the people (By launching Path and Service Program to affect their employees to contribute to the society), help the communities (cash and products donations such like giving footwear to schoolchildren in Afghanistan) and try to protect the environment (renew energy sources to reduce carbon). By the actions above, we can say Timberland is using its influence responsibly.

2. The annual Serv-a-Palooza event is a serves event that the company employee volunteers work on some projects to support local New Hampshire communities and areas in Missouri where affected by tornados. The sustainability goals of Timberland are reducing carbon emissions by using renewable energy source. These two programs surely balanced its economic and social responsibilities even though these programs may cost the company some money. The reason is both of these programs increase the reputation of Timberland in the society, especially the communities that surround them and had been helped by them. The reputations Timberland earned will stimulate the further sales of Timberland and increase the further interests. Therefore these two programs can be the examples of enlightened self-interest.

3. The arguments for Timberland’s social responsibility initiatives: balances corporate power with responsibility, improves stakeholder relationships and enhances business reputations. The arguments for Timberland’s social responsibility