Starbucks: A Socially Responsible Firm and a Diversity Crisis

Introduction

Starbucks has long been lauded for its commitment to social responsibility. The company has been praised for its environmental initiatives, its fair trade coffee sourcing practices, and its employee benefits. However, in recent years, Starbucks has also been embroiled in a number of diversity crises. In 2015, two black men were arrested at a Starbucks store in Philadelphia after asking to use the restroom without making a purchase. The incident sparked outrage and led to calls for a boycott of the company. In 2018, a Starbucks employee in California wrote “PIG” on the cup of a police officer. The incident led to protests and calls for the employee to be fired.

These incidents raise important questions about the relationship between social responsibility and diversity. Can a company be truly socially responsible if it does not also address issues of diversity and inclusion? How can companies ensure that their commitment to social responsibility is not undermined by incidents of discrimination?

Starbucks’ Commitment to Social Responsibility

Starbucks has a long history of social responsibility initiatives. The company has been a leader in environmental sustainability, fair trade coffee sourcing, and employee benefits. In 2015, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz announced that the company would be investing $1 billion in its employees over the next five years. The investment included a повышение płacy, enhanced benefits, and new training programs.

Starbucks has also been a vocal advocate for social justice issues. In 2013, the company launched its “Race Together” campaign, which encouraged baristas to engage customers in conversations about race. The campaign was met with mixed reactions, but it sparked a national conversation about race and bias.

Starbucks’ Diversity Crisis

Despite its commitment to social responsibility, Starbucks has been criticized for its handling of diversity issues. In 2015, two black men were arrested at a Starbucks store in Philadelphia after asking to use the restroom without making a purchase. The incident was captured on video and went viral, sparking outrage and calls for a boycott of the company.

In response to the incident, Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz closed all of the company’s U.S. stores for a day of racial bias training. The training was designed to help employees understand the history of racial bias in the United States and to identify and address their own biases.

In 2018, a Starbucks employee in California wrote “PIG” on the cup of a police officer. The incident led to protests and calls for the employee to be fired. Starbucks fired the employee and issued an apology to the police officer.

The Relationship Between Social Responsibility and Diversity

The incidents at Starbucks raise important questions about the relationship between social responsibility and diversity. Can a company be truly socially responsible if it does not also address issues of diversity and inclusion?

Some argue that social responsibility and diversity are two sides of the same coin. They argue that companies cannot be truly socially responsible if they do not also promote diversity and inclusion. They point out that discrimination and bias can have a negative impact on employees, customers, and communities.

Others argue that social responsibility and diversity are separate issues. They argue that companies can be socially responsible without being perfectly diverse. They point out that companies can make a positive impact on the world by addressing social and environmental issues, even if they do not have a perfect record on diversity.

Conclusion

The relationship between social responsibility and diversity is complex. There is no easy answer to the question of whether or not a company can be truly socially responsible if it does not also address issues of diversity and inclusion. However, it is clear that companies that are committed to social responsibility must also be committed to diversity and inclusion. By promoting diversity and inclusion, companies can create a more just and equitable world.