Introduction
Starbucks was founded in Seattle by three partners in 1971. Howard Schultz joined Starbuck as the retail and marketing director in 1982 and later on in 1985 its first store was opened in downtown Seattle. Currently, Starbucks is the third largest restaurant chain in the country having nearly up to 1000 stores in in 55 countries. The company is concerned with its corporate social responsibility because of the need to develop a respectable brand out of its products. The company aims at greater respect as this would increase its profitability levels and improve its image among the general public as a corporation that cares about the environment and the community.
The concern with social responsibility is because this aspect bears a direct impact on the company’s customers. In recent times, clients are concerned about how corporates utilizes the profits gained and Starbucks has gone forth in informing the public on the administration of finances and the invested instruments (Burchell, p97).
The corporate social responsibility assists Starbucks strategies scale to greater levels because the idea will go in handy with the help through Starbucks. For instance; a donation by Starbucks to a home with cancer patients and a customer is aware of a cancer patient or desires to be part of that medical assistance, then he will purchase coffee with the feeling of offering to help.
Thirdly, Starbucks is in a position to give back to the society as it has the ability to donate funds to the needy, assist their employees, and make events for their clients which have proven to be beneficial to the company. In addition, the company is concerned with its corporate social responsibility since individuals within the company are compassionate and feel that doing good to others goes a long way in motivating employees and gives the company a personality edge.
Question 2
Starbucks’ treatment of its employees is unique due to a number of reasons. The employees have developed a positive perspective about the company. Today, many corporations tend to mistreat and humiliate their employees and the prevalence is high yet Starbucks employees attest to the exact opposite. The company employees receive health benefits that are different from other companies. Starbucks have a total pay package, “Your Special Blend” for every employee. Also, the workers who worked part time or full time are referred to as partners and they are entitled to other benefits including; dental, medical, vision and vision benefits. For instance; in 2005, the company spent more on the health insurance of its employees than on the raw material for coffee.
Such commitment is vital in making employees satisfied hence a model is developed for the enhancement of the company’s business. This fundamental foundation on how Starbucks approaches the aspect of employee relationship is not particularly due to the company’s position on it but it because the management and Schultz pursued it aggressively other than leaving it as a mere mission statement. The aspect of making the theory practical is where Starbucks sets itself different from other corporations (Heal, p123).
The test that Starbuck faces, according to Schultz was in what manner to motivate, attract, and rewarding of store employees in a particular way that would attract individuals and make them desire to work for the company resulting in higher levels of performance. In addition, Schultz sought to cement the trust that was growing between the company’s workforce and the management.
Question 3
Starbucks has been growing rapidly mainly due to the reason that it provides products and a better environment to its customers and its ethical and social responsibility (Burchell, p97). The company is usually on the lookout for new opportunities and its social responsibility helps in developing a greater relation between its employees, the management, and the clients.
When workers’ rights are protected and they are treated equally well then their service to consumers will equally be good and this may be the cause of repeat customers for Starbucks. In addition, the company conserves energy and water and they are environmentally conscious therefore people who mind the environment will visit Starbucks instead of other local cafes.
Also, Starbucks are able to grow because their products and services are in accordance to consumer wants. Their coffee is of high quality since quality is what is sought for by consumers and therefore they are able to maintain those who come in through their doors. The environment is proper for all ages and suitable for different occasions providing a place good for a hang out.
There are two tools that the company employs which are; ambition and humility. Humility provides the insight of doing things and in a proper way for instance; ecological work, charity, and benefits to its employees while ambition sets the company on the road to attain the utmost level of comprehension to be able to make wise combination of customer service with quality products (Heal, p123).
Conclusion
Starbucks has strived to develop a culture with core values that depict their humane characteristics to their customers, employees, vendors, and communities. The social responsibility aspect of the company is taken seriously and their website shows their objectives and the goals they intend to achieve. They encourage feedback from customers and vendors to enable them suit their services and become better.
References
Burchell, Jon. The Corporate Social Responsibility Reader. Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge, 2008. Print.
Heal, G M. When Principles Pay: Corporate Social Responsibility and the Bottom Line. New York: Columbia Business School Pub, 2008. Print.
Ethics & Social Responsibility: Case Study-Starbucks Coffee Company. Olathe, KS: ACT, 2004.
