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CSR Strategy & Cases (Assessment 2 - Group Report) - Team C - Ben & Jerry's
CSR Strategy & Cases (Assessment 2 - Group Report) - Team C - Ben & Jerry's
Instructor:
Team C:
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Table of Contents
Cover Page………………………………………………………………………………………..1
Table of Contents………………………………………………………………………………... 2
1. Introduction................................................................................................................................3
a. Company Profile………………………………………………………………………….. 3
b. Executive Summary……………………………………………………………………… 4
a. Social Impact..........................................................................................................................5
b. Environmental Impact............................................................................................................7
a. Internal Factors.....................................................................................................................10
b. External Factors................................................................................................................... 12
a. Upcoming Challenges.......................................................................................................... 13
c. Recommendations................................................................................................................ 17
5. Conclusion................................................................................................................................ 19
References..................................................................................................................................... 20
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1. Introduction
What a courageous decision has been made to explore the concept of Corporate Social
Responsibility throughout this iconic brand of specific product which is ice cream. To further
a. Company Profile
Modified Organism) certified ice cream manufacturer. Incorporated in 1977, the business was
purchased by parent firm Unilever in 2000. Despite having humble beginnings, the company
currently has operations throughout the Americas, Europe, the Caribbean, Asia, and Oceania.
The company makes over 50 products, including dairy-free ice cream and frozen yogurt. Every
prosperity, respecting individuals and communities, and ensuring equal growth for all aspects of
its mission. 3 simple mission statements include their product, economic, and social growth.
Product mission plans to make, distribute, and sell the finest-quality ice cream with great natural
ingredients and business practicces which are respecting the earth and environment. Secondly,
their economic mission plans on a sustainable financial basis of profitable growth, increasing
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values for stakeholders and employees’ career growth. Lastly, their social mission plans on
As publicly and openly claimed, Ben & Jerry's engages from its core values to positive
change through various corporate social responsibility activities. They primarily conduct their
social responsibility activities in four major categories, which are Fair Trade, Climate protection,
b. Executive Summary
What a start to have known Ben & Jerry’s brief outline in the beginning. Let’s then get to
know deeper analysis of the impact from their status as a pioneer in integrating social and
environmental responsibility into its business model. What and how those internal and external
factors affect their success. What challenges Ben & Jerry’s had ever faced before and what could
be other upcoming challenges being identified. Last but not least, let’s also discover our group
recommendations as the consultant team toward Ben & Jerry’s corporate social responsibility
Ben & Jerry's impact can be well analyzed through various points of view and
dimensions. Let us see how this analysis will incorporate quantifications and exploration of
strategic alignments to estimate Ben & Jerry's concrete social & environmental impact on
society.
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a. Social Impact
In addition to publicly stated values, we need to look at tangible actions that demonstrate
First, Ben & Jerry’s is deeply involved in community actions. “Ben & Jerry's social
mission seeks to eliminate injustices in communities by integrating these concerns into their
day-to-day business activities”. To take a meaningful example, like many others, B&Js invited
customers to support the Black Lives Matter campaign in 2016. The business invited its clients to
support justice and end institutional racism by joining them in the Black Lives Matter campaign
in 2016. The business has recently gone one step further by acknowledging that they are capable
of more than just dealling with social justice advocacy. "Ben & Jerry's is committed to becoming
a truly antiracist company by eliminating racial disparities within the company," the company
said after looking into social inequities within the organisation (benjerry.com). Let us not forget
as well that its business model promotes local partnerships and thus contributes to maintaining
Ben & Jerry’s holds dear to fight for equality. Ben & Jerry's is committed to fostering
peace, guided by their belief in "Peace, Love, and Ice Cream". Ben & Jerry's business model
addresses the gap between rich and poor, supporting economic growth that alleviates poverty and
contributes to a more peaceful, fair world. Since 2014, as an example, all Ben & Jerry's
ingredients are Fair Trade certified, focusing on economic justice and empowering small-scale
Last but not the least, Ben & Jerry’s has been building consumer awareness and
empowerment, including through increased transparency, and distribution of various ESG and
financial reports.
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Thus, their CSR policies are systematically aligned with the UN SDGs, respecting world
norms in ethical trade practices. By rigorously respecting non-GMO standards, fair trade
principles and actively participating in responsible consumption initiatives, Ben & Jerry's is
making a substantial contribution to global sustainability goals. The UN SDGs they are fighting
for with their business are the following : responsible consumption and production, reduced
According to Carroll's CSR Pyramid, two categories of duty that can be directly linked to
Ethical duties, which are predicated on the notion that a corporation should act in a
morally and fairly manner, make up the next layer of the pyramid. According to the company's
mission statement, one of its objectives is to advance ethical business methods, which include
generating value for all parties involved, increasing employee opportunities, obtaining products
from nearby farms, utilizing natural ingredients, etc. These are a few instances of just and moral
business conduct that the public expects all businesses to adhere to.
environmental and social goals, make up the last tier of the pyramid. Ben & Jerry's is driven by
its mission statement and core principles to make ice cream that has an impact on the world in
ways that go beyond the product itself. The company wants to safeguard the planet's natural
systems while advancing human rights and dignity, supporting social and economic justice for
For instance, Ben & Jerry's has established a training program for young people called “Ice
Academy Project”, that is aimed at enhancing skills in social justice, entrepreneurship, and
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sustainability. This is a direct example of ben&jerrys commitment to philanthropic and ethical
actions.
We now see more clearly that Ben & Jerry's demonstrates a robust commitment to
positive change through tangible actions across various fronts. The company's impactful business
model and CSR policies systematically align with UN SDGs, emphasizing ethical trade
practices. Ben & Jerry's ethical duties and philanthropic obligations, outlined in Carroll's CSR
Pyramid, underscore a real commitment to creating a positive societal impact beyond the mere
b. Environmental Impact
Ben & Jerry’s impact towards the environment reveals how the handful of billionaires in
shopping for real estate in outer space can be handled by our protection towards our planet. Here
Sustainable Sourcing:
Ben & Jerry's is committed to deal with the sourcing of environmentally sustainable
ingredients. They have been well working with those suppliers who prioritize sustainable and
ethical practices as their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their supply chain.
Packaging Initiatives:
The company has implemented initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of its
packaging. This includes efforts to use more eco-friendly materials and reduce overall packaging
waste. We love cones because they're plastic-free, contain the drips, and you can eat the whole
thing! But that pint in your freezer has to be packed in something, so we're laser-focused on
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creating a more sustainable packaging process by reducing the amount of single-use
petroleum-based plastic packaging used throughout the supply chain and in Scoop Shops.
Renewable Energy:
Ben & Jerry's has set goals to transition to 100% renewable energy in its manufacturing
facilities. This commitment to clean energy helps reduce the carbon footprint associated with the
Doing something starts with knowing something. And while we've been actively working
to reduce Ben & Jerry's overall environmental impact for decades, we now have the data to
measure greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and estimate our carbon footprint each year, including
- Dairy ingredients account for around 53% of our carbon footprint, while our other
ingredients (nuts, dough chunks, swirls, and other add-ins) add another 21%.
- Manufacturing accounts for just 1% of total GHG emissions, but getting the ice cream
from the factory to stores and Scoop Shops accounts for another 7%.
- A single pint of Ben & Jerry's produces about 3.4 pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent, or
Tracking these numbers annually tells us where we have the biggest opportunities to
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Climate Justice Advocacy:
The company is actively involved in advocating for climate justice. Ben & Jerry's
acknowledges the impact of climate change on the environment and supports policies and
It's important to note that while Ben & Jerry's has made efforts to be socially and
argue that the brand's association with Unilever, a large multinational corporation, may impact its
ability to fully embody its values. Additionally, ongoing efforts and commitments to
sustainability and social justice are essential for any company aiming to make a positive impact
in these areas.
Ben & Jerry's is the undisputed global leader in pint-sized ice cream. The success of Ben
& Jerry's can be attributed to various factors, including the competitiveness of their products,
consumer choices, and market changes. However, what many experts and the media particularly
highlight is the company's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policy. In this report, we will
analyze the factors behind Ben & Jerry's success by dividing them into internal and external
influences.
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a. Internal Factors
In our analysis of Ben & Jerry's internal success factors, we shall not forget to evaluate
governance, focusing particularly on the Board of Directors’ composition. Modern corporate and
capital markets have evolved to position the Board not as an administrative body but as a
than just a corporate organ; it has become central to decision-making and directional strategies of
the company.
Ben & Jerry's Board of Directors operates independently of Unilever, playing a role in
protecting and advocating for the brand's CSR. One of the board members of Ben&Jerry’s,
conservation policy. As the founder and chairperson of the Oakland Institute, she has led efforts
to expose land investment deals in developing countries that lack transparency, fairness, and
accountability.
Chivy Sok, chair of the Tikva Grassroots Empowerment Fund, is active in various fields
responsibility, and sustainable agriculture. She has been involved in numerous human rights
projects, including co-founding the Devata Giving Circle, the first Cambodian-American
women's philanthropic group in the U.S., and serving on the steering committee of Amnesty
Another board member, Constantina Tribou, currently serves as the Chief HR Officer for
Unilever's Beauty & Wellbeing Business Group. Her diverse roles within Unilever and her
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position on Ben & Jerry's Independent Board of Directors as the Unilever representative add
significant value.
Another dimension that is worth analysing in their governance is their legal status. Ben &
Jerry's B-Corporation status is of key importance to the company's corporate social responsibility
strategy, broadening the scope of its commitments beyond mere financial benefits. Ben&Jerry’s
has been certified with the B-corporation status for 11-years. Ben&Jerry’s has a 96 overall B
Impact Score -80 qualifies for B Corp Certification and 50.9 is the median score for ordinary
businesses.
means that Ben & Jerry's integrates its core values into every facet of its business, the company
is assessed in key areas such as governance, impact on employees, the community and the
Thus, we can see that both the Board composition and the B-corporation status are
closely aligned with the concepts of CSR and can be analysed as an internal factor contributing
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b. External Factors
When it comes to the external factors contributing to Ben & Jerry's success, we should
focus on a key aspect: the rising interest of consumers in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
The success of Ben & Jerry's can be attributed more to the choices of consumers than to policy
or economic factors.
significantly increased in the last decade, and this interest extends to customer loyalty,
purchasing intent, and even the market value of companies. According to Lee Joon-seob,
influence customer loyalty and purchasing intentions through emotional and cognitive trust
developed in consumers. Furthermore, Han Hye-jeong and Kim Young-chan argue that when
companies integrate economic, social, and environmental values into their decision-making
processes and enhance transparency through ESG reporting, it leads to an increase in corporate
value.
This trend is also validated by direct consumer survey data. A survey conducted by
Embrain Trend Monitor involving 2,000 adults nationwide showed that 90% of respondents feel
proud when their consumption helps others; 83% consider a company's image important when
making purchases; and 68.9% are willing to pay more for products from companies that practice
ethical management.
More surprisingly, this trend toward CSR-focused companies is not limited to older
generations. A study by University Tomorrow’s 20s Research Institute in 2019, targeting 1,000
individuals aged 15 to 34, revealed that 50.1% (multiple responses allowed) would endure
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inconvenience for consumption that aligns with their beliefs and values, and 35.3% utilize
Such social changes in attitudes toward corporate social responsibility activities (CSR)
have a meaningful impact on customer loyalty, purchasing intent, and perceived customer value.
The statistics show that CSR activities are significant enough for consumers to tolerate
inconveniences and higher prices. This suggests that Ben & Jerry's CSR activities have had a
significant influence on the company's value and consumer choices, with customers actively
choosing Ben & Jerry's, a premium ice cream brand, for its CSR initiatives.
Recommendations
a. Upcoming Challenges
Unilever purchased Ben & Jerry's in 2000 with the understanding that the ice cream
maker's independent board would oversee the company's social goals. Today, Unilever owns
100% of the company. But there has been a significant obstacle recently.
Ben & Jerry's filed a lawsuit against its owner in the summer of 2022, claiming that the
owner was undermining the company's social goal and, eventually, its entire operation. It claimed
that because it sells ice cream with political themes and frequently donates a portion of the sales
proceeds to related causes, its customers are aware of its commitment to keeping specific ethical
standards.
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The business declared in 2021 that it will no longer sell ice cream in the UN-designated
Occupied Palestinian Territories. That ruling was effectively overturned by Unilever, which
arranged for the sale of Ben & Jerry's Israeli subsidiary to its local distributor in exchange for the
freedom to keep selling the ice cream under its long-standing Hebrew and Arabic product names
and to package it in the same manner in order to avoid political backlash in Israel.
A judge in New York dismissed Ben & Jerry's claim in August of 2022. Upheld by US
law, Unilever's statement was that the independent board overseeing Ben & Jerry's social mission
lacked the authority to block the sale. The inference was that it possessed zero power. It would
still be an open question for the company how to overcome such a challenge where Ben and
Jerry have no power to support their social missions and they. In fact, they need a solution to put
things in order, but it would certainly take time and some legal actions as well to revive their
power. Any further consideration regarding this? Let’s have this to be deeper continued in the
Even though Ben & Jerry's might be pioneers in CSR matters, their CSR strategy still has
Indeed, their CSR policies encounter deadlocks and limits in different areas : Some limits
are intrinsic to their business model and activity. As a matter of fact and to illustrate one’s saying
with an example, Ben & Jerry’s works with various business partners such as suppliers, of whom
they cannot control the CSR policies. They need to be very careful when choosing who to
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collaborate with, else it might end up in a scandal similar to the recent scandal unveiled by the
New York Times last February 2023 ; in spite of Ben & Jerry’s “self-proclaimmed” progressive
values, one of their suppliers would apparently use child labour in its manufacturing process.
Also, they might lessen their environmental impact with local partnerships with producers and
manufacturers, yet their business model and global organisation still induces gas emission linked
to the transportation of finished goods and as of today they still account for 7% of Ben & Jerry’s
website as a reference, Ben & Jerry's is far from having exemplary CSR conduct yet. “Our goal
is to have 100% of our packaging be free of petroleum-based plastic. And we want it all to be
reusable, compostable, or recyclable by 2025!”, in spite of Ben & Jerry’s efforts to reduce the
environmental impact of its product’s packaging, as of today the packaging of the ice cream pot
Other limits are linked to the ownership by Unilever. Indeed after joining the Unilever
group, Ben & Jerry's employees told management in a letter that they plan to unionise as they
felt they needed a union to protect their rights. While this may seem like a minor point, it points
to a much deeper issue in the relationship between Ben & Jerry's and Unilever. Ironically, it is
since the takeover of Unilever that activism seems to have increased, with the emergence of the
American woke culture embraced by the company. Unilever was already fed up with Ben &
Jerry’s when the ice cream company publicly supported the Occupy Wall Street movement in
2011.
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The recent statement by the founders of Ben & Jerry's accusing Unilever of not
respecting the original merger agreement reveals a significant shift in opinions between the two
stakeholders. The moot point from where this conflict is coming from is the disagreement over
Ben & Jerry's 2021 decision to boycott settlements in the West Bank without consulting Unilever
beforehand, as stated above. As a matter of fact, due to the substantial financial impact of the
boycott announcement on Unilever, Ben & Jerry's Israel sued the parent company. The dispute
persists despite the fact that the two parties earlier this year came to an agreement that gave the
Israeli branch limited autonomy to sell its products. Ben & Jerry's is undergoing a lawsuit against
Unilever, claiming that an improper decision was made to split off its Israeli division.
The dispute highlights an internal power struggle between Ben & Jerry's independent
board of directors, which is willing to protect the company's social mission, and Unilever's
unilateral and performance-driven decisions. While Ben & Jerry's has always positioned itself as
a socially committed company, this dispute highlights the very complex challenges that
progressive companies face when operating on a global scale and especially when they are part
Ben & Jerry's CSR practices have their practical limits. There are still issues with trying to
control greenhouse gas emissions from worldwide operations, and ensuring the good practice of
its suppliers. Concerns regarding the relationship with Unilever definitely exist, as evidenced by
the recent disagreement and the rise in activism following the acquisition. These elements
highlight the challenges progressive businesses confront in carrying out their social mission
globally.
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c. Recommendations
Packaging Innovation:
The situation between Ben & Jerrys and Unilever appears to be complicated since it
involves corporate ownership, social mission, and legal disputes. Let's look at the possible
recommendations to address or navigate these challenges so that it may not face such challenges
in the future and reaching the social mission will never be a problem.
Despite the court's denial of Ben & Jerry's claim, legal approaches remain viable. The
company can still talk with legal professionals to learn about alternatives, possible appeals, and
other legal paths to take in order to resolve the company's issues. 1. Consult legal professionals.
Get the assistance of legal professionals to perform a comprehensive analysis of the case, the
ruling made by the court, and future legal tactics. They can offer information about potential
appeal grounds, different legal paths, and solutions to Ben & Jerry's concerns. 2. Investigate
contractual obligations. Look at the current contracts that Unilever and Ben & Jerry's have in
place. Legal professionals can assist in locating any inconsistencies, breaches, or possible
renegotiation points. A legal plan to uphold Ben & Jerry's social goal within the parameters of
the current agreements might be influenced by the results of this investigation. 3. Think About
Regulatory Compliance: Make sure that any legal plans consider the requirements of the
applicable regulatory bodies in the various jurisdictions. Creating a winning plan requires a
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thorough understanding of the legal environment, particularly as it relates to social responsibility
organizations. Recognize their viewpoints and worries, then show that you are committed to
resolving them. 1. Maintain Open Channels of Communication: Get involved with all parties
involved, such as staff members, clients, and advocacy organizations. To address concerns and
provide updates on the company's handling of the matter, establish clear and open lines of
contact. 2. Ask for Stakeholder Input: Ask stakeholders for their opinions and suggestions
regarding the company's ethical standards and social objectives. Gaining insight into their
viewpoints can aid in improving tactics and proving a dedication to common principles. 3. Show
commitment: Make it obvious that the business is dedicated to achieving its social objective.
This includes describing specific actions being taken to maintain moral principles in the face of
identify solutions that meet both stakeholder expectations and the company's values. To
guarantee a more inclusive and moral attitude, this may entail getting feedback on actions taken
in the future, such as corporate operations in delicate areas. 5. CSR Reporting: To give
stakeholders comprehensive information about the company's social and environmental actions,
think about improving CSR reporting. This may promote accountability and openness.
A firm can manage legal difficulties and stakeholder concerns related to its social mission
and ethical standards by integrating legal measures with proactive stakeholder involvement.
Finding answers that not only abide by the law but also represent the expectations and beliefs of
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5. Conclusion
(*the written conclusion from analysis of social & environmental impact, success factors
and limits on how Ben&Jerry’s is an example when it comes to CSR policies + (optional)
discloses a great deal about the organisation's guiding principles. Ben & Jerry's is able to
successfully integrate CSR strategy into its business practices because ethical and sustainable
business practices are fundamental to the company's mission. This benefits the company and its
By putting a CSR plan into practice, the business can clearly identify itself as a
conscientious ice cream manufacturer. By doing this, you may draw in new business and reassure
current clients that the ice cream they are purchasing is produced in an ethical and sustainable
manner. It also offers a number of internal advantages, such as risk management, which enables
the business to ensure that all laws and regulations are followed while conducting operations and
procedures in an ethical manner. Implementing CSR also guarantees proper internal governance
and an internal corporate framework that empowers staff members rather than devalues them.
Lastly, Ben & Jerry's corporate social responsibility initiatives, which aim to lessen
environmental harm and advance social justice worldwide, also have a positive effect on the
outside world.
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6. References
2. Marquis, C. (2020, June 9). Why Ben & Jerry's Won't Stay Silent On White Supremacy
Article](https://www.forbes.com/sites/christophermarquis/2020/06/09/why-ben--jerrys-w
ont-stay-silent-on-white-supremacy-or-other-social-justice-issues/?sh=5ebe6d2a6f07)
3. Ben & Jerry's. (n.d.). Paper-Based Packaging Standard. [Ben & Jerry's Packaging
Standards](https://www.benjerry.com/values/how-we-do-business/paper-based-packaging
-standard)
4. Ben & Jerry's. (n.d.). Sustainable Packaging. [Ben & Jerry's Sustainable
Packaging](https://www.benjerry.com/values/how-we-do-business/sustainable-packaging
Goals](https://sdgs.un.org/goals)
6. BFMTV. (2021, July 24). Ben & Jerry's, la glace engagée qui divise l'Amérique et une
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Article](https://www.bfmtv.com/economie/international/ben-jerry-s-la-glace-engagee-qui
-divise-l-amerique-et-une-partie-du-monde_AN-202107240147.html)
Page](https://www.unilever.com/brands/ice-cream/ben-jerrys/)
Markets](https://www.statista.com/outlook/consumer-markets)
9. Ben & Jerry’s. (n.d.). How We’re Structured. [Ben & Jerry's
Structure](https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/how-we-do-business)
2021](https://www.benjerry.com/files/live/sites/us/files/about-us/sear-report/2021/2021-S
EAR-Report.pdf)
13. Ben & Jerry’s Inc. (2021). SEAR Reports. [2021 SEAR
Report](https://www.benjerry.com/files/live/sites/us/files/about-us/sear-report/2021/2021-
SEAR-Report.pdf)
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14. B Lab. (2022). Transparent Assessment. [2022 Transparent
Assessment](https://s3.amazonaws.com/blab-impact-published-production/80bzHVQLB
N57EWNennPZZjtXYTsItyVv)
15. Ben & Jerry's. (n.d.). Our Board of Directors. Retrieved from
https://www.benjerry.com/about-us/how-were-structured
16. 이준섭, & 손정민. (2015). 소비자가 지각하는 CSR 활동과 신뢰, 고객 충성도 및
17. 한혜정 & 김영찬. (2023). CSR 전략이 기업의 시장가치에 미치는 영향:
18. The Scoop. (2019). [1만원 아이스크림, 공정무역 좋지만…]. Retrieved from
https://www.thescoop.co.kr/news/articleView.html?idxno=36734
https://www.ksam.co.kr/p_base.php?action=story_base_view&s_category=_3_&no=940
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