Chick-Fil-A: Role Of Corporate Social Responsibility In Business

In (Cohen, 2008), the author quotes (Drucker, 1946) in noting that “Every organization must assume full responsibility for its impact on its employees, the environment, customers, and whomever and whatever it touches”. According to (Cohen, 2008; Drucker, 1946), that is the very definition of social responsibility. There are many ambiguities surrounding the concept of social responsibility; everything from definition to terminology, even what actions constitute responsible behavior is unsettled (Vogel, 2005). For purposes of this paper we will use the term corporate social responsibility (CSR).

The evolving practices around corporate social responsibility (CSR) provide dynamic, and complex opportunities for business. Overall, businesses are modifying their core purpose from creating shareholder profit toward creating shared value across their stakeholders, with shareholders being only one of the many stakeholders. This paper analyzes the 74th ranked 2014 Fortune Global 500 Company Kroger. Kroger started in 1883 as a local Cincinnati, Ohio grocery store, and has expended to be the second largest retail grocery store in the United States, and fifth largest in the world, owning retail food and drug stores, jewelry stores, and convenience stores in the United States (Kroger, 2015). Kroger remains headquartered in Ohio. An overview of Kroger, and specifically Kroger’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategy and implementation will be discussed, followed by a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) CSR analysis informing a concluding plan to enhance Kroger’s CSR maturity.

Businesses, specifically larger corporations, play a major role in what occurs in society therefore, they are responsible to their stakeholders not only to pursue economic goals but the greater social good as well. 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, their communities, and their environment. (Lawrence, 2010). Social responsibility is becoming the norm so much so that some businesses have incorporated it into their business model. There are three components of the bottom line of social

In the article, “The Social Responsibility of Business Is to Increase Profits,” Friedman states that “businessmen believe that they are defending free enterprise when they proclaim that business is not concerned merely with profit but also with promoting desirable social ends.” This social responsibility is defined as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is the belief that “corporations owe a greater duty to their communities and stakeholders” by having a “social conscience.” This, among other things, includes being environmentally responsible, contributing to non-profit organizations, and eliminating discrimination.

Corporate Social Responsibility is a philosophy that relates to a business being a part of the society, so acts in a way that not only advances its own firm but also serves the society as well. Good ethics is the cornerstone of sustainable development. In the long run, unethical behavior may harm customers and the society as a whole. Furthermore, it damages a company’s image, efficiency and effectiveness in operations. In some extreme cases, it may jeopardize the company’s survival. As a matter of fact, the behavior of a firm will be judged by the groups of the society. Their judgments and responses will have an impact on the performance of the

Chipotle’s commitment toward their philosophy “Food With Integrity” makes the company an excellent example of how a sustainable firm can operate. Since Chipotle founded in 1993, the company focuses on being a supportive business for both the community and the environment. That helps Chipotle to build a good reputation among consumers as a brand that adopts and support CSR programs. In addition, Chipotle plays an active role in the community by supporting local organizations and events. In 2011, Chipotle established Chipotle Cultivate Foundation, which is a non-profit organization that helps Chipotle to continue and strengthen its philanthropic efforts. Over the last years, Chipotle has contributed more than $2

Once a business realizes that it has gotten wrapped up in maximizing profit that it neglect ethics of care, the next step is to readjust and realign its core values internally and be more responsible to the environment in which they operate by showing societal care. Therefore, the aim of this report is to address the importance of realigning the business with ethics of care through involving in CSR activities, and as well as showing how these actions can impact on a company’s performance even if it may be demoralized in the society.

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is something that affects all companies and should be an active factor in the company’s decision making. It is something all corporations need to care about. CSR is when business’ or corporations take part in an initiative or campaign for a cause that will benefit society and/or in some way make the world a better place (Taylor, 2015). Initially, Corporate Social Responsibility started to take shape around the 1950’s, but some say that it dates all the way back to the 1800s, the idea of CSR was seen (Carroll, 2007). One may think that because it is dated so long ago, it doesn’t have an important impact today nevertheless, it is proven that Corporate Social Responsibility is a pathway for entities to self benefit as they are in the process of benefitting society.

The company I chose to explore is Whole Foods and the corporate social responsibility (CSR) they adhere to. Corporate social responsibility, also known as CSR, means “a corporation’s initiatives to assess and take responsibility for the company’s effects on environmental and social well-being”, according to, Investopedia, (R., 2015). Whole foods are dedicated to contributing back to its people, community, and the environment while profiting as a company. CSR is just as important as their ethical practices including “green marketing” by utilizing the marketing of products believed to be preferably used by people which incorporate a number of activities such as, environmentally friendly packaging, sustainability, and modified advertising. The company’s reputation of what they offer, the treatment of their employees, behavior as a company, including the major factors of they represent across the marketplace is what they strive to exude.

For my current event, I choose an article based upon the management topic of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The article I choose was “A Purpose Beyond Profit”, written by Tony Schwartz, for the New York Times in 2014. As the title implies, it looks at businesses practices adopted by corporations that have surpassed just obeying regulatory laws to actually encompassing many sustainability programs to help society, even if means lowering their profits. In a meticulous analysis of the article, “A Purpose Beyond Profit”, I will summarize the main points of the author, show the important factors that support the main idea(s), reveal any holes in the main ideas, and its supporting arguments; further more I will provide counter-arguments to the basis of the article, and will discuss management theories that are applied in businesses today.

Ben Cohen,one of the builders of Ben & Jerry’s , proposes that it is unsubstantial for Ben & Jerry’s to merely do a business just like other companies, and it should make philanthropic contribution to society as well. This mind comes to be practical and when it comes to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Ben & Jerry’s become prominent example (Dennis et al, 1998).

Corporate social responsibility has been one the key business buzz words of the 21st century. Consumers' discontent with the corporation has forced it to try and rectify its negative image by associating its name with good deeds. Social responsibility has become one of the corporation's most pressing issues, each company striving to outdo the next with its philanthropic image. People feel that the corporation has done great harm to both the environment and to society and that with all of its wealth and power, it should be leading the fight to save the Earth, to combat poverty and illness and etc. "Corporations are now expected to deliver the good, not just the goods; to pursue

Among modern century more companies are being interested about corporate social responsibility (CSR) as business reports proved that it became a fact in business growth. CSR is a mechanism accomplished to maintain the economic, legal, and ethical responsibility to the community as same as organization. Stakeholder theory enables managers to take account of these different interests in business ethical responsibility:

CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) is a form of self-regulation integrated into a business model whereby companies and enterprises consider the interest of society by taking responsibility of many objects such as employees, shareholders, customers, even communities and environment. President & CEO of McDonald 's corporation Mr.Don Thompson has stated : “We realise that our business and responsibilities to society are inextricably linked.” In fact, this firm has worked diligently to develop this CSR and Sustainability Framework focused on five key areas – Food, Sourcing, Planet, People and Community. McDonald 's has aspired to provide balanced choices, to source all their food packaging sustainably. In 2014, 30% more fruit, vegetables, low fat dairy and whole grains were served in McDonald 's restaurants compared to 2012. They have reduced salt/sodium, sugar, saturated fat or calories across the menu, offered customers a choice of side salad, fruit and vegetables as substitute for french fries and

Humans are born with the natural tendency to aid one another through mediums such as being proactive on social as well as ethical issues. When one compares this natural tendency to the industries of today, one see’s this voluntary behaviour in a deliberate and compelled act by most involved, which is truly known as Corporate Social Responsibility. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is known to be the voluntary model that is not only used by many businesses, but industries themselves to self-regulate their active compliance with the law, ethical standards within their respective sectors alongside achieving their economical success. CSR initiatives may contain consumer’s welfare and providing them with true knowledge of products, animal welfare, employees welfare as well as reducing environmental impacts. Today, many businesses involved and those who directly fall under the food industry lack the voluntary act to carry out CSR initiatives and this can be seen through consumers’ behaviour and attitudes, animal welfare as well as environmental impacts.