Subject category:
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Originally published in:
2020
Version: 9-Apr-2020
Length: 29 pages
Data source: Published sources
Abstract
Since the German retail food trader EDEKA and the German section of the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) started working together in 2009, their cooperation has grown increasingly close. EDEKA’s annual progress in producing and managing in a sustainable manner is measured and put on record in progress reports, which are available online. In turn, EDEKA may use WWF’s widely known panda logo in its marketing and on the packaging of certain certified groceries. Still, the partnership is far from undisputed. WWF has a reputation of teaming up with businesses, and many consider its pursuit to seek compromise inadequate. The NGO 'Survival International' has allotted WWF the 'Greenwashing of the Year' award in 2017, and Greenpeace harshly criticizes EDEKA for what they deem unsustainable business conduct. The case study follows the journalist Pat, who tries to form an opinion on this controversial topic. Apart from gathering background-information on the constituting actors, he also engages with the economist Kim. Kim steers his attention to the ordonomic research program in business ethics, which draws on institutional economics in order to identify and overcome social dilemmas via moral commitments. This allows for a fact-based assessment of the partnership between EDEKA and WWF.
Teaching and learning
This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2019.Geographical setting
Region:
Europe
Country:
Germany
Featured companies
EDEKA
Employees:
10000+
Turnover:
EUR 56 billion
Type:
Self-owned
Industry:
Grocery
WWF Germany
Employees:
201-500
Turnover:
EUR 77 million
Type:
Non-profit
Industry:
Environment sustainability
Featured protagonists
- Pat (male), Journalist
- Kim (female), Economist
About
Abstract
Since the German retail food trader EDEKA and the German section of the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF) started working together in 2009, their cooperation has grown increasingly close. EDEKA’s annual progress in producing and managing in a sustainable manner is measured and put on record in progress reports, which are available online. In turn, EDEKA may use WWF’s widely known panda logo in its marketing and on the packaging of certain certified groceries. Still, the partnership is far from undisputed. WWF has a reputation of teaming up with businesses, and many consider its pursuit to seek compromise inadequate. The NGO 'Survival International' has allotted WWF the 'Greenwashing of the Year' award in 2017, and Greenpeace harshly criticizes EDEKA for what they deem unsustainable business conduct. The case study follows the journalist Pat, who tries to form an opinion on this controversial topic. Apart from gathering background-information on the constituting actors, he also engages with the economist Kim. Kim steers his attention to the ordonomic research program in business ethics, which draws on institutional economics in order to identify and overcome social dilemmas via moral commitments. This allows for a fact-based assessment of the partnership between EDEKA and WWF.
Teaching and learning
This item is suitable for undergraduate, postgraduate and executive education courses.Settings
Time period
The events covered by this case took place in 2019.Geographical setting
Region:
Europe
Country:
Germany
Featured companies
EDEKA
Employees:
10000+
Turnover:
EUR 56 billion
Type:
Self-owned
Industry:
Grocery
WWF Germany
Employees:
201-500
Turnover:
EUR 77 million
Type:
Non-profit
Industry:
Environment sustainability
Featured protagonists
- Pat (male), Journalist
- Kim (female), Economist