Starbucks Benefits
Starbucks: A Better Sustainability Model
Mitchell Fang
Brandman University
Introduction
This paper analyzes how the sustainability strategy of Starbucks is better than the sustainability strategy of Walmart. Sustainability partly means to have “a positive impact on people and planet” while “delivering profitable growth too” as stated by Fisk (2011). Starbucks is better in its approach to sustainability in three ways: its use of partnership and certification, more initiative in its sustainability strategy, better profit because of its investment in its employees.
Analysis Starbucks and Walmart each have a comprehensive plan for sustainability. Analyzing both Starbucks and Walmarts approach to sustainability, I believe Starbucks’ approach to sustainability is better than Walmarts’ approach in part to three factors. Firstly, Starbucks makes more use of partnership and obtaining certification from 3rd party organizations. Secondly, Starbucks takes more initiative in its sustainability policy than Walmart. Lastly, Starbucks is in better position to profit because invests more in its employees to provide better customer service.
Use of Partnership and Obtaining Certifications
Starbucks use of partnerships and obtaining certifications is one reason their sustainability strategy is better than Walmarts. Starbucks has collaborated with Conservation International to develop Starbucks’ ethical sourcing guideline (Global Responsibility Report Goals & Progress, 2012). Also, Starbucks has been working with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to build LEED® certified stores. While Walmart does have partnerships and does use third party certifications, Walmarts’ partners and third party certifications lack the reliability and credibility in comparison to Starbucks’ partners and third party certifications. As Senge, Smith, Kruschwitz, Laur, Schley (2008) state, “Traditionally, leading activist non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been far
Mitchell Fang
Brandman University
Introduction
This paper analyzes how the sustainability strategy of Starbucks is better than the sustainability strategy of Walmart. Sustainability partly means to have “a positive impact on people and planet” while “delivering profitable growth too” as stated by Fisk (2011). Starbucks is better in its approach to sustainability in three ways: its use of partnership and certification, more initiative in its sustainability strategy, better profit because of its investment in its employees.
Analysis Starbucks and Walmart each have a comprehensive plan for sustainability. Analyzing both Starbucks and Walmarts approach to sustainability, I believe Starbucks’ approach to sustainability is better than Walmarts’ approach in part to three factors. Firstly, Starbucks makes more use of partnership and obtaining certification from 3rd party organizations. Secondly, Starbucks takes more initiative in its sustainability policy than Walmart. Lastly, Starbucks is in better position to profit because invests more in its employees to provide better customer service.
Use of Partnership and Obtaining Certifications
Starbucks use of partnerships and obtaining certifications is one reason their sustainability strategy is better than Walmarts. Starbucks has collaborated with Conservation International to develop Starbucks’ ethical sourcing guideline (Global Responsibility Report Goals & Progress, 2012). Also, Starbucks has been working with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to build LEED® certified stores. While Walmart does have partnerships and does use third party certifications, Walmarts’ partners and third party certifications lack the reliability and credibility in comparison to Starbucks’ partners and third party certifications. As Senge, Smith, Kruschwitz, Laur, Schley (2008) state, “Traditionally, leading activist non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been far
References: Duhigg, Charles. (2012). The power of habit: Why we do what we d in life and business. New York, NY: Random House. Fisk, Peter. (2011). People Planet Profit. Retrieved from http://www.peopleandplanetandprofit.com/ Hoover 's Inc Global Responsibility Report (2013). Retrieved from http://corporate.walmart.com/global-responsibility/environment-sustainability/global-responsibility-report Global Responsibility Report Goals & Progress. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.starbucks.com/responsibility/global-report Recycling & Reducing Waste at Starbucks Senge, P., Smith, B., Kruschwitz, N. Laur, J. & Schley, S. (2008). The necessary revolution: How individuals and organizations are working together to create a In Text Document on Corporate Web Site Starbucks encourges employees, called partners, to volunteer for community service projects. In 2008 Starbucks partners spend 246,000 hours in community service (Community involvement, 2009) Reference List-Document on Corporate Web Site Community involvement at Starbucks. (2009) Hoover 's Inc. (2012, November 13). Starbucks Corporation. Hoover 's Company Records – Quick Report. Retrieved January 11, 2013 from Lexis Nexis Academic database.