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Product cover image for Universal Outreach Foundation and Rocky Mountain Soap Co: Developing Sustainable CSR

Universal Outreach Foundation and Rocky Mountain Soap Co: Developing Sustainable CSR

Philip Davidson, Akari Maeda

Product #:W34731
Supplier:Ivey/Haskayne
Discipline:Strategy, Sustainability
Setting:Canada, Liberia, 2022
Details:Case (PDF) • 13 pages • 2023-12-04

Subjects:

Corporate social responsibilityInternational businessBusiness ethicsSocial entrepreneurshipPhilanthropyCorporate governanceBusiness managementBusiness law and ethicsEntrepreneurshipSociety and business relationsEnvironmental sustainabilityStrategy managementBusiness and societyLeadership and managing peopleStrategyManagement

Industries:

Public administration and nonprofits

Geography:

North AmericaAfricaCanadaLiberia
Your Price:$9.71

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In 2021, the Vancouver-based Universal Outreach Foundation (UOF) collaborated with the Rocky Mountain Soap Company (RMS), a Canadian natural beauty products company, to launch a soap-making venture for Liberia Pure, a business established by UOF and owned by and for Liberians. RMS then contributed a one-time donation to support the distribution of soap during Global Handwashing Day. This case highlights the different forms and levels of sustainability associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR) projects. Students consider how to make CSR a strategic advantage for the firm, rather than relying on regulatory incentives or emotion to ensure continued corporate support. It further looks at the sustainability of the impact on the recipients after the firm leaves.

Learning Objectives

This case can be used at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels in strategic management, international business, business ethics, and social entrepreneurship courses and modules, particularly those that focus on corporate social responsibility or sustainable development goals.

After working through the case and assignment questions, students will be able to do the following:

  • Consider and classify the reasons companies participate in international corporate social responsibility (CSR).
  • Explain the movement from pure monetary or in-kind philanthropy and public relations (PR)-driven CSR to a self-sustaining strategic CSR that continues to benefit both parties.
  • Assess the quality and longevity of the CSR projects and their impact on recipients over time.
  • Discuss and apply the ideas of shared value and strategic CSR.
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Case Study: Universal Outreach Foundation and Rocky Mountain Soap Co: Developing Sustainable CSR (English version) | Ivey Publishing