Question

Please answer the following questions:

1) Assuming you have just become CEO at Coca-Cola. Outline the strategic steps you would take to remedy the concerns emanating from the company’s board of directors, customers, employees, the business partners, government, and the media. What elements of social responsibility would you draw from in response to these stakeholders’ issues?
2) What do you think of Coca-Cola environment initiatives? Are they just window dressing or does the company seemed to be sincere in its efforts?

Answer 1

1. If I am the CEO of Coca Cola I would try to implement the strategies that would benefit all the stakeholders apart from generating profit. The main objective of board of directors is to protect the interests of the shareholders and I would ensure the strategies are aligned to ensure profit as the shareholders or business partners and board of directors can be satisfied through generating more profit. Employees are the keys to success by ensuring maximum growth through increased productivity. I would give more importance for skill development programs for the employees as the training would help the employees to perform better and ensure employee growth as well along with company growth. When I consider the customer interest, the customers accept the products that provide health benefits and the main concern of customers while consuming beverages is the higher sugar content and added preservatives that affect the human health. Hence I would try to ensure that our product do not cause any health issues to the customer by substituting the contents with zero sugar substitutes and allowed preservatives which are not harmful. The concern that may emanate from government includes any chances of legal violations and the controls that may affect our international operations. Our strategies would be aligned towards benefitting the society through our actions following the rules and most of the rules are in place to benefit the society. The regulations over our international operations would be handled by selecting the perfect entry mode suitable for the specific country. The concerns over media would be handled by strictly monitoring the contents used in advertisement and avoiding any chances of manipulation.

2. In my opinion Coca Cola is sincere in its efforts regarding environment initiatives. Coca cola has started manufacturing eco friendly bottles that are made of 100% sugar cane plant materials and it shows its sincere efforts to reduce plastic pollution and benefit the environment. Coca Cola tries to reduce fuel emissions and protect the climate. Coca Cola Foundation has spent a great amount to enhance the sustainability of the local communities worldwide. The commitment of Coca Cola Company to give back one percent of its prior year’s operating income annually has benefitted around 300 organizations worldwide. The efforts taken in global water stewardship programs, nutrition and fitness efforts, community recycling programs and women empowerment and entrepreneurship programs etc shows its commitment towards the society and the environment.