Starbucks - Questions Why has Starbucks been so concerned with social responsibility in its overall corporate strategy? In the Corporate and Social Responsibility section of its website Starbucks promises to return back to society money for schools, roads, health centers and other needs. Why? "Because we've always believed that businesses can -- and should -- have a positive impact on the communities they serve" (Starbucks.com). It has been the Starbucks commitment to "…strike a balance between profitability and social conscience," the website explains. The "ultimate way to scale the power of a brand is to share the good we do," Starbucks explains. And by letting people know that the company is generous, everyone "we touch" knows the company is different from typical corporate entities that think profit only.

In the book Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases, the authors explain that Howard Schultz, founder and CEO of Starbucks, had a father that was "…nearly ruined by an unsympathetic employer that did not offer health benefits" (Ferrell, et al., 2012). It could be that Schultz is making up for what his father didn't have. He is...

"…As the company has grown, so has the importance of defending its image," Ferrell explains on page 322. Hence, the momentum from its earlier socially responsible activities carries through to today and there is pressure to continue showing that part of its brand is to give back and be responsible to the communities in which it operates.
TWO: Is Starbucks unique in being able to provide a high level of benefits to its employees? No, Starbucks is not unique in that respect. For example Google (ranked #1 on the CNN Money site) is very generous with their employees. The full coverage health insurance program costs employees about $100 a month, all employees are given free meals (up to 3 times a day) and there are recreational facilities for employees on break. There is a bowling alley (at the Google corporate headquarters in Mountain View, CA), there is a ping pong table but…