Case Study 1: Corporate Philanthropy
Jamie Gross
BADM 253
Trinity University
Abstract
The company I chose to do my case study on is Body Shop International PLC (and will be referred to as Body Shop in this case study). I will be writing on Body Shop’s background, their campaign against both animal testing and sex trafficking with an emphasis on sex trafficking. Body Shop has not faced any problems that I could find information on. Also, there is not much that I would do different then Body Shop.
The company I chose to do my case study on is Body Shop International PLC (and will be referred to as Body Shop in this case study). Body Shop calls there selves “the original, natural and ethical beauty brand”[1]. They have over 2,500 stores in 60 markets worldwide. This company intrigued me due to the fact that they hold their self at a high accountability not only to the community around them but the world as a whole. Anita Roddick, human activist and founder of Body Shop said “The business of business should not be about money, it should be about responsibility. It should be about public good not private greed.”[2] Anita Roddick died in 2007 but Body Shop has continued to uphold her vision in there everyday business practices. To quote their website “people are the heart and soul of our business” and so is the environment. Body Shop seeks and sustains natural materials and ingredients as they feel “using all our planet’s resources wisely” guides their approach to business[3]. Body Shop was one of the first to take a stand against animal testing in the cosmetic industry. As such, Body Shop continues to fund organizations campaigning to end the unnecessary suffering of animals. In the article Tough Times, New Tactics that we were given in class, Sophie Gasperment the chief executive of Body Shop was quoted saying “that business can be a force for good in society”. This is definitely being proven true by Body Shop. One of the newest social problems that Body Shop has taken on is sex trafficking. Recently, Body Shop launched a worldwide campaign to stop sex trafficking of children and young people.[4] Human trafficking is now the third largest and fastest growing criminal industry in the world. It is estimated that 1.8 million children across the world are trafficked for sex in virtually every county; including the United States.[5] It is said that some of these children are as young as five years old. Body Shop educates the public about sex trafficking on their website. The tell the stories of individuals who have been victims of sex trafficking, the educate the public of the 3 stages of sex trafficking, give facts on the subject, and also have a online petition for people to sign. The three stages of sex trafficking are recruitment, transport and destination. During recruitment the person or child is taken away from their home, sometimes by force and sometimes by trickery with the promise of a better life. In some situations parents even sell their children to traffickers because they are desperate for money. The next stage is transport. In this stage the person or child is being moved to their destination, which can be dangerous and uncomfortable for the person or child being transported. The last stage is the worst stage, destination. Upon arrival to their destination the person or child is often beaten, abused, and raped to the point that they will do anything that their abuser tells them to do. They are hurt so bad that they are psychologically and physically hurt and too frightened and ashamed to ask for help. Body Shop post stories from young people who where victims of sex trafficking on their website. This is probably one of the best ways to let the public see how real the problem is. I noticed that they only had four of these stories on their website. I would increase this at least to ten. Reading what happen to these young adults is an eye opener and makes people want to do something about it. With a problem so huge I did not understand why they only had four stories. After reading each story on their website you then come to a page that says “It’s Time to Get Active”. This page lets known that Body Shop has started their campaign called “Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People in partnership with ECPAT International.[6] ECPAT International is a campaign that stands for End Child Prostitution, Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Children for Sexual Purposes. It is said that ECPAT is regarded as a “pioneering organization” in their field. ECPAT has brought the issue of commercial sexual exploitation to the light, with an emphasis on child sex tourism. Now thanks to ECPAT and Body Shop these issues have been bought to the attention of not only world leaders but also the global community. ECPAT International is a global network. They are composed of more than 80 member organizations in 70 countries around the world. ECPAT combats commercial exploitation by a variety of ways. Some of its members conduct outreach work with children who where victims exploited into prostitution. Other ECPAT members provide direct one on one care to child victims. Building large scale information campaigns is another way that some ECPAT members decide to help. ECPAT conducts research on sexual exploitation, and they collaborate with the private sector and law enforcement agencies to better protect children. They also advocate for legal reform and the implementation of better child protection policies to the government. ECPAT continuously monitor governments’ commitment to child protection policies. ECPAT speaks out and challenges decision makers to offer more protection for children. In many countries they have successfully advocated to adopt legislation to prosecute their nationals for sexually abusing children abroad.[7]
As you can see ECPAT members are experts in raising awareness on the sex trafficking of children and young people. ECPAT works as Body Shops advisor on their campaign. ECPAT provides Body Shop with facts, figures and quotes and ECPAT takes part in some of Body Shops PR events. I feel with ECPAT’s help Body Shop will make significant change towards stopping this ever growing crime.
Who are the constituents for Body Shop?
Body shops constituents are listed below along with their value and/or need: • Customers: Body Shop realizes that their customers deserve quality products, which are natural, were not tested on animals, and fairly priced. Good customer service is another need of the customer. • Employees: Without employees the company could not run. Body shop understands their employees’ value. Employees need a good working environment, opportunity for growth, good benefits ect. • Animals: Body Shop is against animal testing and fights it on a daily basis. • Global Community/World: Body Shop has launched a Stop Sex Trafficking of Children and Young People campaign that is global. • Suppliers: Suppliers needs are simple, fare dealings/practices.
Bibliography
http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/aboutus_company.aspx http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/aboutus_values.aspx Banjoy, S. (09/09/2009) Tough Times, New Tactics. 4. http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/beauty/stop-sex-trafficking http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/beauty/sex-trafficking-stories http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Programmes.asp -----------------------
[1] http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/aboutus_company.aspx
[2] http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/aboutus_company.aspx
[3] http://www.thebodyshop.com/_en/_ww/services/aboutus_values.aspx
[4] Banjoy, S. (09/09/2009) Tough Times, New Tactics. 4.
[5] http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/beauty/stop-sex-trafficking
[6] http://www.thebodyshop-usa.com/beauty/sex-trafficking-stories
[7] http://www.ecpat.net/EI/Programmes.asp 