Csr: Sustainability Practices- Walmart vs. Starbucks
“Sustainability: Actions Speak Louder Than Words”
SUSTAINABILITY: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Introduction
The purpose of this work is to analyze the mission, values, and core competencies relating to sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line of the corporations Wal-Mart and Starbucks. By analyzing the key differences not only in their values, but the application of their stated values, they can then be judged as to the superiority of their systemic approaches to sustainability. In the case of these two companies, ethics are the most notable difference, which causes Wal-Mart to experience a myriad of dilemmas that Starbucks doesn’t. This key difference is important because “nearly any dilemma an organization faces can be distilled down to simple ethical questions” (Eckmann and Frauenzimmer).
Analysis
After analyzing both Starbucks’ and Wal-Mart’s mission, values, and core competencies relating to sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line, key differences are noted, not just in their stated values, but with their real-world adherence to their values. Wal-Mart for example repeatedly mentions the cost of their products in their mission statement and values, whereas Starbucks’ primary goals are a positive experience for their customers. There is also a large degree of dissonance between what Wal-Mart claims is important to them, versus what they do. Starbucks however adheres to their stated values. These differences warrant a closer look.
First and foremost, Wal-Mart and Starbucks’ mission statements are entirely at odds. Wal-Mart champions "We save people money so they can live better" (WalMart.com), while Starbucks believes their ultimate mission is “to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time" (Starbucks.com). It is clear that Wal-Mart’s main concern is on the low price of their products, whereas Starbucks’ primary goal is to provide a positive experience, not just for their
SUSTAINABILITY: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS
Introduction
The purpose of this work is to analyze the mission, values, and core competencies relating to sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line of the corporations Wal-Mart and Starbucks. By analyzing the key differences not only in their values, but the application of their stated values, they can then be judged as to the superiority of their systemic approaches to sustainability. In the case of these two companies, ethics are the most notable difference, which causes Wal-Mart to experience a myriad of dilemmas that Starbucks doesn’t. This key difference is important because “nearly any dilemma an organization faces can be distilled down to simple ethical questions” (Eckmann and Frauenzimmer).
Analysis
After analyzing both Starbucks’ and Wal-Mart’s mission, values, and core competencies relating to sustainability and the Triple Bottom Line, key differences are noted, not just in their stated values, but with their real-world adherence to their values. Wal-Mart for example repeatedly mentions the cost of their products in their mission statement and values, whereas Starbucks’ primary goals are a positive experience for their customers. There is also a large degree of dissonance between what Wal-Mart claims is important to them, versus what they do. Starbucks however adheres to their stated values. These differences warrant a closer look.
First and foremost, Wal-Mart and Starbucks’ mission statements are entirely at odds. Wal-Mart champions "We save people money so they can live better" (WalMart.com), while Starbucks believes their ultimate mission is “to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time" (Starbucks.com). It is clear that Wal-Mart’s main concern is on the low price of their products, whereas Starbucks’ primary goal is to provide a positive experience, not just for their
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