Organization

Organizational Behavior and Communication – Starbucks Coffee Company

Starbucks Culture

Starbucks Coffee Company has set out to be a unique company since opening its doors more than four decades ago. The Company has built a mega-business on its philosophy of building relationships with its partners (employees), customers, the ethical sourcing of its products and minimizing Starbucks’ environmental footprint. The Starbucks Mission: to inspire and nurture he human spirit – one person, one cup and one neighborhood at a time. Starbucks Values: "Creating a culture of warmth and belonging, where everyone is welcome. Acting with courage, challenging the status quo and finding new ways to grow our company and each other. Being present, connecting with transparency, dignity, and respect. Delivering our very best in all we do, holding ourselves accountable for results. We are performance driving, through the lens of humanity." (Starbucks, 2014) Starbucks has communicated a message of a progressive, customer focused company with a commitment to socially and environmentally responsible growth.

Employee Relations

Starbucks seeks to create an environment for their employee that encourages self-improvement, communication, and cooperation. Starbucks led the initiative to provide part-time employees with benefits. Starbucks offers perks to employees in the form of tuition reimbursement, company stock options, and free coffee. Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, has stated that his priority was "to build a new relationship of mutual respect between employees and management."

Starbucks has made unprecedented progress in living up to their promises to their employees, often difficult for a large organization. Even so, the coffee chain has been criticized by disgruntled workers. The benefits are often difficult for part-time employees to obtain; many employees have stated that they are kept just under the 20-hour minimum requirement per week. Starbucks store managers have...