More Than Just Lip Service: Evaluating Corporate Social Responsibility in the 21st Century
More Than Just Lip Service: Evaluating Corporate Social Responsibility in the 21st Century
When a company says it is "responsible," "sustainable," or "committed to equality," what does that mean in a 21st-century context? Is it enough to post a statement committing to racial equality or fighting climate change, or does a company need to do more? During this four-lesson sequence, students will review the principles of corporate brand values and corporate social responsibility, research a company's public stance on a social issue, an economic issue, and an environmental issue, and compare that stance to the company's tangible actions and policy changes regarding that issue. As a final deliverable, students will prepare an individual presentation sharing their chosen company's stance on the issues, their actual track record on the issues, a letter grade for their efforts, and recommendations for improvement.