Danone: Redefining Corporate Responsibility
Columbia Business School Case
Danone had long seen itself as having a mission-driven identity of "bringing health through food." After decades of growth from a small yogurt producer into a sprawling food conglomerate, it went as far as sell its cookie division to refocus on just that mission. In 2015, Danone entered into an agreement with B Lab, a global nonprofit that sets and raises business standards in hopes of inspiring and guiding corporations to act as a force for good in the world. The partnership had positive results within Danone, with employee satisfaction and engagement. It has proven harder to show value to external stakeholders. In this case, students learn about the evolution of B Corp, and discuss how changing standards for compliance could impact how Danone operates.
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