Abstract

The case examines the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of the US-based ExxonMobil Corporation (Exxon Mobil), the largest publicly traded petroleum and petrochemical company in the world. ExxonMobil’s CSR initiatives aimed at improving education in the field of engineering, technology, math and science, and helping women in developing countries to achieve their economic goals. The company also promoted biodiversity, gave financial support to several institutions conducting research on climate change, and supported programs to prevent the spread of malaria and HIV/AIDS. However, in spite of these initiatives, Exxon Mobil attracted criticisms. Environmentalists criticized the company for not taking enough measures to control carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from its operations. Industry analysts also alleged that the company promoted the use of fossil fuels. The company was also criticized for its opposition to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change. The case ends by examining the measures taken by the company in response to these criticisms and some of its recent CSR initiatives.

Learning Objectives

The case is structured to achieve the following Learning Objectives:

• Study the CSR initiatives by ExxonMobil in the field of education, environment and health & safety.: Examine the reasons that led to criticisms of ExxonMobil’s CSR initiatives.: Analyze the efficacy of the measures taken by ExxonMobil to address issues co

Keywords

ExxonMobil Corporation, Corporate Social Responsibility, Opening Minds Corporate Leadership, Fossil Fuels, Kyoto Protocol, Carbon Dioxide Emissions, Climate Change, Exxon Valdez Spill, Green House Gas Emissions, Biodiversity Conservation, Corporate Citizenship, Sally Ride Science Academy, Green Team Program, Environmental Business Planning, Gail Hearn's Bioko Biodiversity Protection Program, Africa Health Initiative, Malaria Control Program', Women's Economic Opportunity Initiative, Clinton Global Initiative, Sustainability Initiatives, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Union of Concerned Scientists, Global Warming, Advertising Standards Authority, Corporate Citizenship Report, Citizenship Performance Data