The Body Shop: Social Responsibility or Sustained Greenwashing?
| Case Code: BECG067 Case Length: 25 Pages Period: 2002-2006 Pub Date: 2006 Teaching Note: Available |
Price: Rs.500 Organization: The Body Shop International Plc. Industry: Beauty Care, Cosmetics Countries: UK, Europe, USA Themes: Corporate Social Responsibility |
Abstract Case Intro 1 Case Intro 2 Excerpts
Abstract
This case is about the issue of sustainability rhetoric and greenwashing. In March 2006, The Body Shop International Plc. (Body Shop), a retailer of natural-based and ethically-sourced beauty products, announced that it had agreed to an acquisition by the beauty care giant L'Oréal SA1 (L'Oréal) in a cash deal worth £652 million (US$ 1.14 billion). The announcement brought in its wake a spate of criticism against Body Shop and its founder, Dame Anita Roddick (Roddick). Body Shop was regarded as a pioneer in modern corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices. The company was also strongly associated with Roddick's social activism.
Since its inception, it had endorsed and championed various social issues such as opposition to animal testing, developing community trade, building self-esteem, campaigning for human rights, and protection of the planet. Through these initiatives, the company had cultivated a loyal base of customers who shared these values.
L'Oréal, on the other hand, had been severely criticized by activists for allegedly testing its cosmetics on animals, exploiting the sexuality of women, and selling its products by making women feel insecure. Moreover, Nestlé owned 26 percent of L'Oréal and Nestlé was one of the most boycotted companies in the world for its alleged unethical business practices and aggressive promotion of baby milk in developing countries.
Some of Body Shop's critics and customers said that they felt betrayed by the deal as Roddick had previously been vocal in her criticism of companies like L'Oréal. They called for a boycott of Body Shop's products. However, Body Shop and Roddick defended the deal by saying that the acquisition by L'Oréal would not compromise Body Shop's ethics; the merger would, in fact, give Body Shop a chance to spread its values to L'Oréal. L'Oréal also announced that Body Shop's values would not be compromised and that it would continue to operate as an independent unit.
This case discusses the reactions of consumers, activists, and CSR experts to the acquisition of Body Shop by L'Oréal. The acquisition throws up some questions such as: Is Body Shop guilty of greenwashing? Does it have the influence to extend its values to L'Oréal? The case also looks into the issue of whether L'Oréal was trying to improve its own image and to buy CSR through this deal.
Issues
The case is structured to achieve the following teaching objectives:
- Understand the issue of sustainability rhetoric and greenwashing with regard to the acquisition of Body Shop by L'Oréal
- Understand the challenges faced by a company in building a corporate image and brand on the social marketing concept
- Appreciate the importance of the cultural and CSR factors in mergers and acquisitions vis-à-vis financial and strategic parameters
Contents
-
A Controversial Makeover
Background Note
The Pioneer in Modern CSR
Body Shop's CSR Initiatives
Criticism
Body Shop's Response
L'oréal Buying CSR?
Outlook
Exhibits
Keywords
The Body Shop International Plc., Natural-based and Ethically-sourced Beauty Products, L'Oréal SA, Dame Anita Roddick, Corporate Social Responsibility, Greenwashing, Consumerism, Mergers and Acquisitions, Consumer advocacy activism, environmental management , Beauty Care, animal protection and testing, Community Trade product, Product boycott, Business Ethics
Buy this case study (Please select any one of the payment options)
| Price: Rs.500 |
Price: Rs.500 | PayPal (11 USD) |
