Ethics, Ethics And Ethical Ethics Of Starbucks

Starbucks’ commitment to ethical behavior is evident in the many steps they take to ensure employees not only comply, but also are able to report any issues. There are several available methods of communication for employees who wish to report unethical behavior, be it face-to-face, anonymously through the Helpline, or through their

* Starbucks was one of the Fortune Top 100 Companies to Work For in 2008. The company is a respected employer that values its workforce.

The survey questions mostly consisted of multiple choice questions, two open-ended questions, allowing written responses, and one qualitative response question. These questions were chosen to establish consumers differences and comparative perspective of Starbuck’s competitors, their daily usage of the social media platforms, the coffee shops visited frequently, and their opinions on consumers who frequent Starbucks. The survey contains one matrix/rating scale question ( Appendix I, Question 5) based on how important qualities are when choosing a coffee shop. Lastly, there were two demographic questions. The demographic questions are for a general understanding on consumers behavior based on age group and gender. For an overview of the survey, see appendix I.

I think Starbucks is so concerned with social responsibility in its overall corporate strategy because of its founder Howard Schultz. After reading about Howard Shultz it is clear to me that one of the reasons this company does so well is because of the high standards he holds himself and his company to. As a young boy he witnessed what his father had to go through in order to put food on the table for his family. He saw the struggles his dad had to endure while working for a company that did not put their employees first. (Ferrell, Fraedrich, Ferrell pg 400) It was for this reason that he has such a strong ethical position. Howard is a long-time advocate for increased awareness in business ethics. (Ferrell, Fraedrich, Ferrell pg 398). He gave a speech at Notre Dame in 2007 and spoke to the students about the importance of balancing profitability and social consciousness. (Ferrell, Fraedrich, Ferrell pg 398) It seems apparent that Howard is very concerned about the well-being of the employees, customers, environment and the community as a whole. According to Starbucks Website (2016) the core values and mission statement is as follows: “With our partners, our coffee and our customers at our core, we live these values” (Starbucks website 2016)

Starbucks was bought out by current CEO Howard Schultz in 1987. Since then, Andrew Harrer (2012) reports the company has grown to operate over “17,244 stores worldwide” (para. 1). Fortune (n.d.) reports in its yearly 100 Best Companies to Work for that Starbucks employs “some 95,000 employees”. From only a handful of stores in 1987 to a billion dollar franchise today, the success of Starbucks is due in great deal to their corporate culture, specifically how employees, or as Starbucks calls them, partners are treated. Joseph Michelli (2007) echoes this sentiment, “A great cup of coffee is only part of the Starbucks success equation” (p. 767).

The Starbucks’ code of conduct clearly illustrate its missions and conduct. They use rhetoric in clear words choice to attract people’s attention. Starbucks especially emphasize its social responsibility to be good neighbors in the community. They have been participating in a lot of community involvement. Also, Starbucks focuses on the workplace environment, such as diversity. Starbucks has been doing very well on social responsibility in the workplace environment as they are committed to on the code of conduct; however, they have not been doing very well on environment protection and fair competition.

starbucks Corp., an international coffee and coffeehouse chain based in Seattle, Washington, has expanded rapidly since its opening in 1971. These outrageous success was due to its well-developed strategy vision which lay out the company's strategic course in developing and strengthening its business. Starbucks is a global corporation that sells authentic coffee in 30 countries, reporting revenues of nearly $5.1 billion in 2006. The main goal of Starbucks is to embrace diversity by applying the highest standards of excellence. Starbucks strives to perfect the relationship with the working class by making the service as fast as possible because they believe that every customer has their own personal rate. One

The first Starbucks opened in 1971, making the company 44 years old. In 2015 they were named the most ethical company by Ethisphere. Starbucks issues a book called “Standards of Business Conduct” to every employee when they start work. It outlines all of their policies and how an employee needs to act. They also required to go to trainings for compliance and ethics and are encouraged to report any issues or situations that emerge. They are also proud members of the ECOA (Ethics & Compliance Officer Association) and the Northwest Ethics Network. Starbucks is also a part of a plethora of organizations that give back to the local community and the world. All of Starbucks products like coffee and tea are fair trade, meaning that fair prices are paid for goods to developing countries. Economic transparency is also required in the company meaning that suppliers have to submit evidence of payment made throughout the supply chain to insure that a fair price is given to the farmer. Starbucks also has third-party verifiers who help to protect the rights of workers and their safety. They also comply with the minimum wage requirements and forbid child and forced labor. Third-party verifiers also protect the management of waste and water quality along with the conservation of water and energy. All of this is considered ethical because it protects both the employee and the customer, along with the

Starbucks Corporation is a multinational coffee conglomerate that opened their first store in Seattle’s Pike Place Market in Seattle, Washington in 1971. Over the course of the next 40 years, Starbucks has grown in leaps and bounds in not only opening more stores domestically and internationally but also in selling a variety of some of the world’s best coffee and tea blends available. The selling of Starbucks products does not only happen in their stores, it also happens in grocery, convenient, and specialty stores across the world. With the growth of the Starbucks Corporation came the responsibility of ethical and financial compliance to their organization, their shareholders, and the multitude of government agencies they deal with

Starbucks advertises two essential mission statements. First and foremost, it strives to “establish [ourselves] as the premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while [we] grow(s).” (Starbucks) Reflective of its mission, Starbucks bases its strategic campaign and communications on six indispensable philosophies; structuring a pleasant work environment in which employees are treated with “respect and dignity,” incorporating diversity in all business aspects, purchasing, roasting and delivering fresh coffee, retaining satisfied customers, giving back to the community and environment, and developing

The Starbucks Corporation presents a strong appeal for potential customers and employees because it has a strong organizational culture based on its values, which include “ethical sourcing, environmental stewardship and community

“Starbuck’s mission is to inspire and nurture the human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time” (as cited in Our Company, 2014). Starbucks vision is to “Establish Starbucks as a premier purveyor of the finest coffee in the world while maintaining our uncompromising principles while we grow” (Shah, Hawk, & A, 2011) In order to perform our mission and see our vision we must conduct business by the following values:

Starbucks is renowned for its morality due to their innovative sustainability and environmental policies and operations. They strive to go beyond mandated regulations by implementing ethics as part of their core practices. However, no matter how flawless their code of ethics is; they, too, face ethical issues and commit unethical acts. First, they are responsible for putting small, local coffee shops out of business which creates a uniform retail culture throughout cities. Second, they advertise to provide 100% fair trade coffee when it is not truly 100% fairly traded. Third, they use hormone added milk that is detrimental to the human body as well as the environment. Fourth, they set unrealistic, unattainable recycling goals, so they were unachievable; in turn, their trustworthiness is hindered and their reputation is tarnished. Lastly, it was revealed that Starbucks discovered ways to avoid paying taxes in the UK. To this day, Starbucks continues to be recognized as an ethical company. Although sometimes controversial, they are innovatively striving to positively change the ways of society and business operations.

globe, we are the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the world.” The

Starbucks is an American multinational corporation that is arguably considered as the best coffee house in the globe in terms of global performance. The company has for a long time considered CSR as an important part of its operations and currently, it adopts an Anglo-American model of corporate social responsibility. This is an approach to CSR that maintains close links between shareholder interests with the operations of the organization. The company ensures that its CSR initiatives are appropriately audited so that it is able to learn of its CSR performance and not as an effort of complying with legal regulations and this is what makes the strategies adopted by the company very relevant. The corporate social responsibility codes that are derived from Starbucks’ Anglo American model have contributed to great product development by the company, efficient production and quality customer service. All these have been made possible through the company’s Corporate Governance Codes . At starbucks, the codes have provisions for the code of conduct which acts as guidelines as to how the employees at the organization behave. The code of conduct guides the entire organization including the board of