TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction
Corporate Social Responsibility is fast becoming an integral part of the corporate world. Broadly defined, Corporate Social Responsibility attempts to achieve commercial success in ways that honour ethical values and respect people, communities, and the natural environment (Bhattacharya & Sen, 2004). From what was once seen as peripheral to a company’s main businesses, has now become a standard practice, with an increasing number of businesses engaging in CSR activities. Corporate Social Responsibility is a commitment by a business to consider not just the shareholders, but the interests of all stakeholders impacted by its activities. These include the employees, the consumers and suppliers of the business, the community in which it operates, and the environment.
This report seeks to analyse the strategic Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies implemented by the organisation Nike when faced with an issue, to critically assess the effectiveness of these policies and lastly to offer recommendations.
Company Background
Based in Beaverton, Oregon, Nike Inc. is one of the world’s major distributors of sportswear and equipment with its operations spanning across the worlds six continents in over 160 countries (nikebiz, 2011). Nike is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sporting and fitness activities, Nike
Originally name Blue Ribbon Sports; Nike Athletics was founded in Oregon in 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. With an investment of just $1000 Bowerman and Knight began selling their products from the trunk of their car until the first store opened in 1966. In 1971 Blue Ribbon Sports hired Carolyn Davidson to design the famous Swoosh logo for $35. The following year they founded their Nike line of footwear, named after the Greek Goddess of Victory, and expanded their products to the international
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