Free Essay

Social Responsibility Strategy

In:

Submitted By leanzs
Words 1362
Pages 6
Topic: Social Responsibility Strategy Name:
Course:
Instructor’s Name:
Date:

This is a report on how I would develop a social responsibility strategy for Nike (my client): introduction The company that I am going to develop a social responsibility strategy is the Nike Company that was formed in 1962 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight as a result of collaboration of the two to come up with the most sufficient athletic shoes after the dominance of German and cheap Japanese athletic shoes in the American market (Almaney, 2000). The company has gained increased sales since it was formed and thus making it a global giant in the manufacturing and sale of sports equipment utilities.
The company has faced a number of challenges in its daily administration in the market as a result of stiff competition, imitation, environmental pollution and lack of raw materials. The company in the mean time has managed to be in a profit making trend as it has recorded that highest numbers of sales as compared to its competitors Adidas and Reebok, with Nike commanding 30.4% compared to 15.5% and 11.2% for Adidas and Reebok respectively (Amway, 2013). Environmental considerations and recommendations (planet)
This is the first and most important reason for Nike involvement in cooperate social responsibility; is to improve the environment with the statement from the company CEO stating that ‘the world will remain behind when we are long gone and we have to conserve it is for the future generation’. Nike isn’t resistant against any lawsuits on matters relating to environmental pollution. That is the reason for the reduction in the company’s sales as a result of the negative news that is associated with it contribution on environment pollution (Davis, 2010). The company has responded to the cry of the masses and has improvised ways that will help it achieve environment conservation as a contribution to social responsibility. The company was concerned at the fast rate in which climate was changing and thus it decided to get involved evolved in environment conservation strategies (Vestel, 2010).
Recommendations
Nike has decided to engage in social responsibility as the management opts to implement some strategies that are in line with the conservation of the environment and thus making the company a low pollutant thus a non pollutant (Almaney, 2000). The management recommended certain policies such as the treatment of the waste products released from before disposing them to the environment the waste would include waste products from the machines / factory that include smoke and rejected /spoilt leather and rubber that are used in the manufacturing of the shoes (Vestel, 2010). The company was also involved by undertaking the activity of realizing carbon neutrality as the management of the company decided to stop the purchase of carbon offsets and renewable energy certificates thus helping achieve their goal. The company also opts to engage the community living around on the importance of conserving the environment this is terms of tree planting or fencing of the wetlands this is by either participating in this activities or donating some amount money for performing this ventures (Davis, 2010). Ethical leadership considerations (people)
The company should implement the use of ethical leadership style this is to ensure that the company will be considered effective in its activities by using the equal employment opportunity law (EEO); the company has failed to perform ethical leadership this is because of the beauracratic nature of the company management system as it is reported that the company’s average Board of Directors age is 62 composed with only one of the members being 50 years while the rest are above 60 years the oldest being 79 years of age with no woman in the top management but a majority of them at the lower levels (Davis, 2010). The company doesn’t realize the importance of local leaders on its international branches, as it doesn’t appoint locals for CEO’s for its overseas branches thus making it difficult for the organization to operate effectively (Dion, 2008).
Recommendation
The company should considered the possibility of injecting fresh and young minds and even women into the management level of the company, as these young people will introduce the new trends of business management and therefore make the company to be able to compete effectively with its competitors as they will introduce new product brands and also achieve the goals of the company (Almaney, 2000). The company should also incorporate ethical leadership by appointing locals and women in its branches and thus boost the social responsibility as the whole society will be represented in the management of the company as a whole (Dion, 2008).
Organizational viability considerations and recommendations (profitability)
The company should make its financial records public and this is by stating its profits and losses publicly, this is by making their accounts known, the public and shareholders should know the short and long term plans of the company (Hopkins, 2011). The company should also be free from any legal and ethical suits that will make the company loose most of its time on legal trying to deliver itself from the courts and compensations to damages it has caused to its employees or competitors. The Company should also be in a position of producing a large number of products that will ensure that it maximizes the sales it makes in the markets that is because it targets more customers thus improved profitability (Murray, 2010).
Recommendation
As a way of the company to deliver social responsibility on matters related to organizational viability the company has to have a long-term and short-term plan that will be used to evaluate the progress it has made or plans to make (Hopkins, 2011). The company should also ensure that it participates in good business practices that will reduce the cases of conflict with its competitors this is by practicing the required business practices that will be fair and reduce conflicts with the competitors (Murray, 2010).
Legal and regulatory considerations
Nike like any other company is in a position of dealing facing legal and regulatory challenges, the company is faced with varied legal challenges this includes the issue of child labor in countries like Malaysia Taiwan and other Asian countries (Schuler & Jackson, 2007). The company also is faced with labor strikes as its employees complain of lack of machines to work with and poor pay, as claimed by Naomi Klein, in her book "No Logo” these claims tend to taint the image of the company on its investors and customers (Amway, 2013).
Recommendation
The company should look into these claims and deal with them accordingly, Nike Recommendations in matters reacted to Naomi’s comments included with dealing with the issue of employing children in its factories (Schuler & Jackson, 2007). It also opted to take its employees through training before letting them operate the machines, and providing the employees with the necessary machines to perfume their job effectively and improved the wages they were receiving as ways of dealing with legal and regulatory issues (Hopkins, 2011).

References
Almaney, A, .J. (2000). “Strategic Analysis of Nike, Inc.” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://condor.depaul.edu/aalmaney/StrategicAnalysisofNike.htm
Amway. (2013). “Corporate Social Responsibility: An Amway case study.” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://businesscasestudies.co.uk/amway/corporate-social-responsibility/developing-a-strategy.html#axzz2LunFfuZg
Davis, S, S. (2010). “Examples of Social Responsibility Strategies.” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://smallbusiness.chron.com/examples-social-responsibility-strategies-10633.html
Hopkins, S. (2011). “Nike's Marketing Strategy.” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://www.articledashboard.com/Article/Nike-s-marketing-strategy/1456078 Vestel, L, B. (2010). “Nike Makes Environmental Strides and Abandons Carbon Offsets” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/02/nike-makes-environmental-strides-and-abandons-carbon-offsets/
Dion, P. (2008). “Nike - Social and Ethical Issues.” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://www.writework.com/essay/nike-social-and-ethical-issues
Schuler & Jackson, (2007). “NIKE CASE STUDY: Ethics” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://professional-ethics-articles.blogspot.com/2012/09/nike-case-study.html
Murray, J. (2010). “Viability (of a Business)” Retrieved 26, February 2013, from. http://biztaxlaw.about.com/od/glossaryv/g/viability.htm

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Social Responsibility Strategy

...CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY STRATEGY For Morning Gold Bakery Morning Gold Bakery is a small, locally-owned business in operation since 2010 located in Idaho Springs, Colorado. The bakery’s advertising slogan is “The perfect place to gather for morning coffee and donuts” and the business strives to be a responsible yet profitable part of Idaho Springs and the surrounding community. Corporate social responsibility[->0] means that businesses should “act in a way that enhances society and its inhabitants and be held accountable for any of its actions that affect people, their communities, and their environment”. (Lawrence & Weber, 2011) “Articulating a social and environmental strategy requires that the company identify the social and environmental problems that are associated with its operations and then devise ways of reducing these” (Heal, 2008). A corporate social responsibility strategy for Morning Gold Bakery, encompassing four components (environmental responsibility, ethical leadership, organizational viability, and legal responsibility), is presented in this report. For each component, the company’s current business processes will be considered in light of corporate social responsibility, and, specific actions to update or implement business practices congruent with the company’s social responsibility objectives will be recommended. Environmental Social Responsibility -- Planet The environmental component...

Words: 2723 - Pages: 11

Premium Essay

Research — Strategy, Porter Analysis, and Corporate Social Responsibility

...a. i. Name of the organization and URL (it must have an online presence) Standard Aero http://www.standardaero.com/ ii. The product(s) or service(s) the organization provides: Standard Aero provides maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services in the aerospace industry. iii. The target market of the organization’s products or services: Standard Aero’s target market for their services include business and commercial aviation, military, and industrial power customers around the world. b. Standard aero is using a business unit strategy of differentiation to distinguish themselves from their competitors. This can be seen in their mission to be “the most trusted service partner and where custom solutions come standard”. Differentiation is based on the ability to distinguish a product or service from its competitors, and having been in business for over 100 years, Standard Aero has made a name for itself and the quality of its services. They have a higher quality of work compared to discounted cost leadership products, and their differentiation has made it so that their customers are willing to pay higher prices for the quality of the services that they provide. c. Porter’s Five forces in relation to Standard Aero can be viewed as follows: New entrants – It is difficult for new companies to enter the industry due to high capital requirement on facilities, testing, and repair equipment. There are also government regulations in place for safety as well as controlled...

Words: 860 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Is the Corporate Social Responsibility Conflicting with Wal-Mart’s Cost Leadership Strategy? Is Wal-Mart Good for America?

...Neulijan (Julian) Kore MAN 4720 Prof. Ping Zhang Is the corporate social responsibility conflicting with Wal-Mart’s cost leadership strategy? Is Wal-Mart good for America? Before analyzing Wal-Mart’s corporate strategy, it is important to identify what business it is in.  For example, Wal-Mart is in the business of selling consumer goods such as TV’s, sheets, clothes, then it is pursuing a concentric strategy by entering in the food business.  However, this changes depending on how you analyze what business Wal-Mart is in.  Wal-Mart is in the business of selling everything customers need in their everyday lives.  This includes the consumer goods listed above as well as food-service items.  Wal-Mart definitely has the business strategy of Low Cost Leadership. They do nothing to really differentiate themselves from competitors and provide no-frills self-service stores that always provide the lowest prices.  Wal-Mart has built enough purchasing power with suppliers that they can dictate the prices and go in and change suppliers manufacturing processes in order to wring out more and more savings for the consumer.  Everything that Wal-Mart does from calling suppliers collect to having execs double up in hotel rooms, is to save the customer money.  While they do try to provide good customer service on top of low prices, Wal-Mart’s strength is low-prices.  No one has such a supplier and distribution network like Wal-Mart that allows such low prices. But in the past several...

Words: 722 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Jjt Social Responsibility Strategy

...Visitation Support Agency Social Responsibility Strategy xxxx Western Governors University Visitation Support Agency The company I have chosen for this scenario is a company that provides transportation and supervises foster children’s visits with their biological parents. For privacy reasons I am going to call this company Visitation Support Agency (VSA). In the past VSA has had issues keeping employees, issues with lawsuits and did not take any considerations when it came to environmental issues. VSA has four small offices and a main office in Eastern Washington. Each office runs differently. The company has a set of policies and procedures but each small office is allowed to interpret these rules as they see fit. The way this company is being ran is not working and things need to change before the company has more legal and financial issues. Recently, in our community, the main office relieved the manager of her duties and hired new management. The new management is working well together. They have put new ethical leadership and employee relations into effect and they are working on ways to “Reduce, Reuse & Recycle” ENVIROMENTAL CONSIDERATION AND RECOMMENDATIONS VSA does not have any policies that cover environmental issues at this time. The new management in the local office has recognized this as a problem and has made new policies for their individual office. Their supervisor from the main office is asking the new management to write all their ideas down...

Words: 3536 - Pages: 15

Free Essay

Ethics, Social Responsibility and Strategy Planning

...Ethics, Social Responsibility and Strategy Planning A strategic plan places emphasis on accomplishing a business goal and when accomplished correctly should provide business leaders where to spend time, money, and any other needs that arise in building the plan. The strategic plan is the road map to how to get the desired end result. To build a successful strategic plan a business needs to understand who they are and how the market perceives them. A business also needs to understand what is important to change and what to not change. A business doesn’t want to remove or change what is already good about them but determine what they can improve on. If a business needs improvements in identified weak areas then the business can develop a plan that incorporates who is accountable and completely identify what is considered an achievement. A strategic plan should not occur when the business feels it is necessary but visited constantly to ensure the business is moving on track and nothing slip through the cracks. Review of the plan and refinements of the plan need to be handled timely and appropriately. Lastly, a company needs to communicate the plan to the business internally as this helps identify the mission and who the company is. Places everyone on the same page to the question the business must ask, who we are? The Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility Ethics should be the most forefront idea in any strategic plan. Ethics should be part of a company’s mission statement...

Words: 530 - Pages: 3

Premium Essay

Ethics, Social Responsibility and Strategy Planning

...Ethics, Social Responsibility and Strategy Planning Ethics, Social Responsibility and Strategy Planning A strategic plan places emphasis on accomplishing a business goal and when accomplished correctly should provide business leaders where to spend time, money, and any other needs that arise in building the plan. The strategic plan is the road map to how to get the desired end result. To build a successful strategic plan a business needs to understand who they are and how the market perceives them. A business also needs to understand what is important to change and what to not change. A business doesn’t want to remove or change what is already good about them but determine what they can improve on. If a business needs improvements in identified weak areas then the business can develop a plan that incorporates who is accountable and completely identify what is considered an achievement. A strategic plan should not occur when the business feels it is necessary but visited constantly to ensure the business is moving on track and nothing slip through the cracks. Review of the plan and refinements of the plan need to be handled timely and appropriately. Lastly, a company needs to communicate the plan to the business internally as this helps identify the mission and who the company is. Places everyone on the same page to the question the business must ask, who we are? The Role of Ethics and Social Responsibility Ethics should be the most forefront idea in any strategic plan...

Words: 350 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Bus 508 Ass 1

...Corporate Responsibility and Market Strategy: Uugan-Erdene Itgel Daniel Goldsmith Strayer University BUS508 10/25/2014 Corporate Responsibility and Market Strategy Ethical and Social Responsibility of Apple Apple is one of the giant companies in the United States and it is expected to take a firm stand on its commitment to ethical and social responsibilities. The company is committed to taking social and environmental responsibilities and conducting its business ethically. Apple suppliers ensure social and ethical responsibilities through different approaches. First, it provides safe and humanistic working condition for all the workers in the organization. To ensure this there are the set code for the company. There is the code on labor and human right, which states that all the workers in the apple group deserve to be treated fairly and ethically. They should also be treated with respect and utmost dignity ensuring maintenance of the highest standards of human right. The company educates the workers on their rights ensuring that they are aware of them and cannot be violated. On the issue of health and safety of workers, the Apple group considers the health and the safety of its workers important. In ensuring this scenario, a safe working environment is provided and safety practices adopted. The workers in the company have the right to oppose working if the working conditions are not safe. For instance, the company is supposed to give the...

Words: 1798 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Ethical and Social Responsibility

...Ethics and Social Responsibility Paper Ralph L. Kendrick MGT/ 498 September o4, 2013 Glenn O'Steen Ethics and Social Responsibility Paper Ethics and social responsibility has to be a part of any organization’s strategic management plan. Without the presence of these key elements the company could face some tough times. In this paper, the author will explain the ethical and social responsibilities of organizations as they relate to strategic management. In addition, the many ways an organization can meet stakeholders needs while maintaining ethical principles. The research of one company who crossed the line ethically will be discussed. Ethics and social responsibility Ethics and social responsibility are a necessity to any strategic management plan. An organizations lack of core values and ethics will determine the outcome of the organizations future. While making a profit is important, it should not be the only responsibility of an organization. The organization is equally responsible for the health and well being of the community. Often times an organization’s decisions affect more than the organization itself. The decisions of an organization impact the environment, community, economy, and the world. Organizations have many responsibilities that need to be in perfect balance in order for an organization to become successful. The responsibilities of an organization include: economical, legal, and social responsibilities (Wheelen & Hunger, 2010). Economic responsibilities...

Words: 1073 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Business Policy

...to Business Policy B. Responsibilities of Chief Executive C. Definition – major policy, objectives, strategy operating policies II. THE NATURE OF POLICY & STRATEGY D. Strategic Planning, Strategic Plans, Strategy and Policy E. Strategy and Policy F. Types of Strategy G. Strategy versus Tactics H. The Nature of Policies I. Procedures, Standard Operating Plans and Rules J. Types and Classification of Business Policies III. THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE FIRM A. Key Factors which can Affect the Management B. Environment Constraints IV. INDUSTRY ANALYSIS: POSITIONING THE FIRM WITHIN THE SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENT A. The Industry Structure B. The Components of the Industry C. Status of the Industry D. Intra-Industry Competition E. Industry Analysis and Strategic Decision of the Firm VI. CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESPONSES A. Corporate Social Responsibilities of Business 1. Shifting Managerial Philosophies 2. Meaning of Social Responsibilities of Business 3. The Case Against Business Assumption of Social Responsibilities VII. THE STRATEGY OF USING FOREIGN INVESTORS AND LICENSES: A PHILIPPINE PERSPECTIVE A. Company Goals B. Potential Problems C. Point of View of Foreign Company D. Point of View of Government E. Use of Strategy VIII. LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY A. Leadership B. Leadership...

Words: 266 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Coroporate

... Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies BUS508 Contemporary Business Spring Smith July 19, 2015 Ann Sams In this essay it will discuss Apple’s current position about social and ethical responsibilities of the company. The essay will list at least two examples to support the statement. The essay will discuss impacts about the publication of ethics and social violations made by the Company suppliers and it will also have a support response of an example. The essay will continue to determine two methods the company can utilize to make sure that the suppliers adhere benefits and wages will go forward. The essay will determine if customers would be willing to pay more if the Company increases the prices to better benefits and wages for suppliers’ workers. The last topic on the essay will discuss Apple’s overall strategy, and it will list two actions the Company can take to exceed competitive advantage in the business. Apple’s ethics and corporate social authority are at the highest levels for the company and consumers. Apple are faced with different questions from their consumers and stockholders regarding Apple’s ethical and social authority (Munson, 2014). Apple ethics includes anything from how they advertise to the way they hire. Apple depends on their employees who represent the company and on their customers, to represent a trustful image that is together with objectives and goals in the company. Apple’s position on their ethical and social responsibilities...

Words: 1601 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Apple

...The Ethical, Social Responsibility, and Marketing Strategy of Apple Corporation Tyesha Martin Strayer University The Ethical, Social Responsibility, and Marketing Strategy of Apple Corporation Our generation today has become to be known as the “Generation of Technology”, where smartphones and laptops are a necessity instead of a luxury. It is almost inevitable to interact with a group of individuals and at least one of them, not own an Apple product. Apple Inc. is an American-based multinational corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets consumer software and electronics, personal computers, as well as other communication-related services. Since launching the iPod mp3 player in 2001, the company has experienced tremendous growth. Presently, it is reputed as one of the most successful and biggest electronics manufacturer in the world. In addition, Apple Inc. is famous for its revolutionary marketing strategies, which have helped it to compete favorably against market rivals like South Korea’s Samsung Electronics, LG, IBM, and Microsoft. Despite the company’s financial success, however, it has faced criticism over its failure to enforce its ethical values and social responsibility policies, especially over its suppliers, who are accused of violating environmental regulations and workers’ rights. This paper critically examines Apple Inc.’s success and failures with regards to the enforcement its ethical...

Words: 2441 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Ben & Jerry's Homemade Inc, Case Study

...with a modest $12,000 investment. Ben & Jerry's is a founding member of Business for Social Responsibility ("BSR"), an association of some 1400 or so businesses that aims to furnish "members with innovative products and services that help companies be commercially successful in ways that demonstrate respect for ethical values, people, communities and the environment." The company is now a leading ice cream manufacturing company known worldwide for its innovative flavors and all-natural ingredients made from fresh Vermont milk and cream (www.benjerry.com). Ben & Jerry's corporate strategy strives to implement the three integrated missions described as: developing a high-quality product, achieving economic growth and profitability, and incorporating social activism. The general corporate strategy can be characterized as a focused or market niche strategy based primarily on product differentiation and quality production. Although focused differentiation strategies target a narrow buyer segment, this strategy helps Ben & Jerry’s gain a strong competitive advantage as it can offer consumers something they perceive is appealingly different from rival competitors—innovative super-premium ice cream flavors that taste better and consist of all natural, high quality ingredients. In addition to differentiating its product from other ice cream competitors, Ben & Jerry’s general strategy combines several other key components, including...

Words: 959 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Leadership

...starbucks social responsibility towards Ethiopia coffee growers is that they should consider about the minimum hourly wages as the organization is not acting efficiently enough to take care of the producers. It also depends on how starbucks luring customers towards their products so that their sales and profit don’t fall. From stakeholders point of view being socially responsible occurs when a company behaves in a manner that takes into account society as a whole and is accountable for its actions. Social responsibility means that organizations are part of a larger society and are accountable to that society for their actions. Since profits are also a responsibility owed to the shareholders, the company must balance profits with social responsibility. • Reactive strategy: For instance, when starbucks sees product is failing in the market, having a special offer on that product might help them with their sales. Like raise or promotion, products reviews and plan proactively. Defensive strategy: For example the coffee glasses they have are not good enough for the hot coffee they serve so they have to recall the coffee glasses but they only do the least like instead of changing the cups they just suggest customers to use a plastic or rubber holder. Accommodative strategy: I would say the seasonal change in coffees is the best thing about starbucks. For example having varieties of hot coffee during winter and cold during summer. Proactive strategy: Proactive strategies such as...

Words: 357 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Apple’s Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies

...CORPORATE RESPONSILITY 1 Apple’s Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Brianna Neal Bus 508 Contemporary Business Dr. Laura Jones Strayer University July 15, 2015 CORPORATE RESPONSILITY 2 Apple’s Corporate Responsibility and Marketing Strategies Apple Overview Apple Inc was founded by Steve Jobs and was originally named Apple computer because there sole purpose was to provide personal computers. They later changed there name to Apple Inc to show their innovation and a wide arrange of electronics and cutting edge technology. Apple Inc is know for such products as the IPod, IPod, Mac book and a host of other products to help revolutionize the world. Apple Inc is based out of Cupertino, Ca and is considered a world leader in technological advancement. One of Apple's core values is to promote diversity within the work place. They believe diversity creates innovation which in turn creates new technologies and ways to have a better impact on the environment and a better customer experience (Apple, 2015). Although Apple is at the fore front for having cutting edge technology, they have still fallen under much criticism when dealing with suppliers and their ethical and social responsibilities. Apple’s Ethical and Social Responsibilities Ethical Responsibilities, in the context of business operation can be defined as how the business handles itself when it comes to moral decisions and standard. Social Responsibility is when a business considers the well being...

Words: 1587 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Lululemon Case Study

...Case Study- lululemon Ethics and Social Responsibility Executive Summary Founded in 1998, lululemon has become an extremely successful company. Over the last 12 years of operation, its mission is to improve health, make a difference in all the communities it is located in, and provide guests with quality products to help them live healthy lives. Currently, lululemon still strives to make a difference in each community through the Community Legacies Program. Plans for expansion are also in effect, and its economic responsibilities are continually being met by the income generated each year. Social Responsibility is the backbone of lululemon. It presents many positive aspects for the company such as maintaining a positive image within society, however it may result in potential negative outcomes like possible profit loss. Strategically, lululemon uses non-traditional and unique marketing and business schemes. For example, lululemon relies on social activities for product promotion rather than typical ad campaigns such as print and/or television media. The next step for lululemon is to encourage people to bring families to the in-store yoga classes to better find a balance between work, family, and healthy living, together. Issue/Problem Statement lululemon athletica's main goal is to provide their guests with products that will help them live long and healthy lives. They ensure quality in their products, as well as recognize customer needs and adapt to meet those needs...

Words: 1603 - Pages: 7