Ch.3 Ethics & Social Responsibility

Ethics defines what is right or wrong. Business ethics relates to an individual's or company's decisions that society defines as right or wrong. Regarding to Starbucks, the mission statement shows that the company's work and business ethnics is based on " respect and dignity" not only to their stakeholder, partners and employee's but also to the community.


"At Starbucks, we have always aspired to be known as much for our commitment to social responsibility as we are for the quality of our coffee."


Starbucks set a high value on being a good neighbor to the community which also can be clearly seen in the Starbuck's mission statement ("Every store is part of a community, and we take our responsibility to be good neighbors seriously."). According to Starbucks, being a good neighbor considers "Bringing people together, inspiring change and making a difference in people's lives". For more than 10 years now, the company is greatly involved in a variety of environmental and community beneficial work all around the world, it became a part of the so called " responsible business practice". Starbucks started their journey towards their social responsibility by developing ways to reduce environmental impact of their stores. Since that time, the coffee brand has been doing important moves regarding their social responsibility. With " Starbucks - Shared Planet" the coffee company committed to dedicate their business to ways that are beneficial to the world - shareholders, farmers, workers, customers,neighbors and mother nature- by identifying three specific areas of improvement:  

• ethical sourcing -> responsible growing practice read more
• environmental stewardship -> reducing environmental impact and read more
• community involvement -> community service programs read more

[Recent updates to the "responsible business practice" can be viewed at http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility]

Furthermore, Starbucks announced to embed these values throughout their entire business, which includes company strategy, business practice and operation. They also try to involve the community by requesting their ideas and opinions ( Co Creation).