Coca-Cola India's Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy
|
|
ICMR HOME | ICMR Case Study Collection
To download Coca-Cola India's Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy case study
(Case Code: BECG093) click on the button below, and select the case from the list of available cases:

OR

Buy With PayPal
|
» Business Ethics Case Studies
» Business Ethics Short Case Studies
» View Detailed Pricing Info » How To Order This Case
» Business Case Studies
» Area Specific Case Studies
» Industry Wise Case Studies
» Company Wise Case Studies
Please note:
This case study was compiled from published sources, and is intended to be used as a basis for class discussion. It is not intended to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of a management situation. Nor is it a primary information source.
Chat with us

Please leave your feedback
|

Abstract:
This case is about Coca-Cola's corporate social
responsibility (CSR) initiatives in India. It details the activities taken up by
Coca-Cola India's management and employees to contribute to the society and
community in which the company operates.
Coca-Cola India being one of the largest beverage companies in India, realized
that CSR had to be an integral part of its corporate agenda. According to the
company, it was aware of the environmental, social, and economic impact caused
by a business of its scale and therefore it had decided to implement a wide
range of initiatives to improve the quality of life of its customers, the
workforce, and society at large.
|
|
However, the company came in for severe criticism from
activists and environmental experts who charged it with depleting groundwater
resources in the areas in which its bottling plants were located, thereby
affecting the livelihood of poor farmers, dumping toxic and hazardous waste
materials near its bottling facilities, and discharging waste water into the
agricultural lands of farmers. Moreover, its allegedly unethical business
practices in developing countries led to its becoming one of the most boycotted
companies in the world.
Notwithstanding the criticisms, the company continued to champion various
initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, restoring groundwater resources, going
in for sustainable packaging and recycling, and serving the communities where it
operated. Coca-Cola planned to become water neutral in India by 2009 as part of
its global strategy of achieving water neutrality. However, criticism against
the company refused to die down. Critics felt that Coca-Cola was spending
millions of dollars to project a 'green' and 'environment-friendly' image of
itself, while failing to make any change in its operations. They said this was
an attempt at greenwashing as Coca-Cola's business practices in India had
tarnished its brand image not only in India but also globally. The case
discusses the likely challenges for Coca-Cola India as it prepares to implement
its new CSR strategy in the country.
Issues:
» Analyze the CSR strategy adopted by Coca-Cola India.
» Understand the issues and challenges faced by Coca-Cola with regard to its sustainability initiatives in India.
» Analyze the underlying reasons for the growing criticism against Coca-Cola in India and explore ways in which the company can address this issue.
» Understand the concept of greenwashing and discuss and debate whether Coca-Cola is serious about its water sustainability initiatives.
Contents:
Keywords:
Corporate social responsibility strategy, Environmental responsibility, Economic responsibility, Sustainability, Water sustainability, Water neutral, Water efficiency, 5 pillar growth strategy, Stakeholder tension, Operations, Greenwashing
Coca-Cola India's Corporate Social Responsibility Strategy
- Next Page>>
|
|