Case Study: the Body Shop
Case Analysis
The Body Shop
MBA 223 Social Responsibility and Good Governance
CASE STUDY No. 1
1. VIEWPOINT
The Body Shop faced lots of criticisms and challenges. There were periods of losses, poorly motivated shareholders, de-motivated franchisees, unsuccessful restructuring attempts and negative public propaganda against the company, proving to be too strong for the company to cope up. The main reasons behind the success of the company were protesting against the testing on animals, campaigns against human rights abuse, environmental protection and socially uplifting activities. This analysis wishes to expound the ethical issues and arguments revolving around the management, marketing and production side of The Body Shop business. The big question on “to what extent can companies that claim to be ethically conscious and socially responsible live up to the high standards they claim and hold to others?” is targeted to be answered here. There are other groups involved in their stand, this analysis wishes to identify them, and eventually, understand them on the point of view of a consumer and a socially responsible person.
2. TIME CONTEXT
The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by the late British environmental and human rights campaigner Dame Anita Roddick in Brighton, United Kingdom. With 25 handmade body care products during the start of their venture and with a goal of promoting quality natural products and responding to our environmental needs, they grew up to be known with now 1,000 natural skin and hair products and has developed into a major international retailing store with about 2,133 outlets in 54 countries around the world.
Through the years as the company continued to expand their marketing and distribution, The Body Shop continued to stand with its values of not just innovating their products but with an advocacy on improving the lives of women in the
The Body Shop
MBA 223 Social Responsibility and Good Governance
CASE STUDY No. 1
1. VIEWPOINT
The Body Shop faced lots of criticisms and challenges. There were periods of losses, poorly motivated shareholders, de-motivated franchisees, unsuccessful restructuring attempts and negative public propaganda against the company, proving to be too strong for the company to cope up. The main reasons behind the success of the company were protesting against the testing on animals, campaigns against human rights abuse, environmental protection and socially uplifting activities. This analysis wishes to expound the ethical issues and arguments revolving around the management, marketing and production side of The Body Shop business. The big question on “to what extent can companies that claim to be ethically conscious and socially responsible live up to the high standards they claim and hold to others?” is targeted to be answered here. There are other groups involved in their stand, this analysis wishes to identify them, and eventually, understand them on the point of view of a consumer and a socially responsible person.
2. TIME CONTEXT
The Body Shop was founded in 1976 by the late British environmental and human rights campaigner Dame Anita Roddick in Brighton, United Kingdom. With 25 handmade body care products during the start of their venture and with a goal of promoting quality natural products and responding to our environmental needs, they grew up to be known with now 1,000 natural skin and hair products and has developed into a major international retailing store with about 2,133 outlets in 54 countries around the world.
Through the years as the company continued to expand their marketing and distribution, The Body Shop continued to stand with its values of not just innovating their products but with an advocacy on improving the lives of women in the