Timberland

Stefanie Dones

August 30, 2012

Case Study #2 - Timberland’s Model of Corporate Social Responsibility

Timberland believes that being a responsible business means both acting responsibly by managing the company’s impact, and communicating responsibly by being open about its actions and accountable for them. Timberland’s commitment to the community has manifested itself in its involvement in City Year. City Year is an Americorps national service that unites young people from diverse racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds for community service and leadership development. Timberland donated millions to the program and made its employees including Timberland’s CEO, important partners in this community service program. Not only is the company contributing to the community they are also helping the environment. Timberland is focused of reducing emissions and installing solar panels for a few of their factories in California and Canada. Mr. Swartz, Timberland’s CEO, encourages his competitors to join his cause because social responsibility transforms not only who they are internally, but also how they do business externally. Timberland, who has long been famous for its superior quality in footwear, apparel, and gear maker, is also a leader in fostering social responsibility in the business world

today.

I would describe Timberlands exercise of its corporate power in society as a good one. Mr. Swartz has made it his priority to try to strike a balance between profitability and justice. Timberland is engaging many of its stakeholders by challenging them to be involved with the company’s mission to be involved socially. I believe that in the current economic status the country is in, Timberland would keep being involved but within a smaller budget. The company has displayed a great example of balance when it comes to making money and being philanthropic. Enlightened self-Interest poses the question of whether or not it is to the advantage of a person to...