Anti-God Starbucks cup has customer steaming

[phishtaper]

The most comprehensive reference is Argenti, Paul (2004), Collaborating with Activists: How Starbucks Works with NGOs, California Management Review 47(1): 91-116.

Maloni, Michael and Brown, Michael (2006), Corporate Social Responsibility in the Supply Chain: An Application of the Food Industry, Journal of Business Ethics 68: 35-52 also provides context.

Unfortunately, I have access thru the university here, and Im not sure if public access is available. The Argenti article is particularly good, although critics will note that it was produced with the cooperation of the company itself (not at all uncommon practice in studies of this sort, as others can attest).

Other, web based sources are:

http://www.savethechildren.org/corporate/partners/starbucks.html

http://www.unicef.org/wes/index_39184.html

http://www.reason.com/news/show/33257.html

http://www.transfairusa.org/content/Downloads/AnnualReport2005.pdf

http://www.transfairusa.org/pdfs/fastfacts_coffee.pdf

http://www.transfairusa.org/content/certification/licensees.php

http://www.organicconsumers.org/starbucks/underfire012605.cfm

http://www.starbucks.com/aboutus/StarbucksAndFairTrade.pdf

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/CAFEstatement.html

http://www.globalexchange.org/campaigns/fairtrade/coffee/2562.html

http://www.globalexchange.org/update/press/2223.html

http://www.socialfunds.com/news/release.cgi/4525.html

http://www.coffeeresearch.org/politics/Starbucks%20Fairtrade.htm

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/newsandpublications/press_releases/press_release.2006-11-29.4085266785

http://www.oxfamamerica.org/newsandpublications/press_releases/Starbucks%20takes%20step%20towards%20recognizing%20Ethiopian%20rights%20to%20coffee%20names/?searchterm=starbucks

http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/ViewContentServlet?Filename=Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Articles/0560210809.html

I hope these links work, I simply copied them out of my url line. Some do cross-reference. Note that many of these web sources are both critical of Starbucks for not doing enough to support fair trade, but also acknowledge that it does considerably more than most.

I'd also be interested in seeing reputable references for the other side of the argument. The best I can find are blog-type sites that just seem to be critical of its size, style and market dominance but provide little evidence.

Of course, one can easily take a cynical view of all of this and say that Starbucks has simply begun supporting fair trade coffee because its in its financial and public relations interests to do so. This is undeniable. But, it is simply not the case that the company supports clear cutting, and exploitative labour practices in developing countries.

[Asparagus]

Thank-you.

[Birdy]

Thank god you were kidding. And sorry your sarcasm went unnoticed... but those remarks were off the wall and I don't know you.

I think it would benefit to look at what percentage of company revenue actually is alloted to charitable contributions. It's easy to pull up a bunch of charitable organizations corporate support pages and say "oh yes, they must be good, they give!", but a lot of the time this just boils down to 'image'. Google EXXON and take a look at the absolutely wonderful things they do for the world about them. Yet in terms of their corporate take home, should such philanthropy be a reflection of the corporation as a whole?

Starbucks own green coffee team admits that the majority of coffee farms grow sun coffee (clearcut land) for the simple fact that they produce higher yields (and require greater usage of pesticides, etc.)... and also admit that shade-grown coffee requires a change in priority. A priority that one of the world’s largest coffee purchasers has the power to change, should they want to. But yet only 6% of Starbucks total coffee purchases annually is fair trade, shade-grown coffee (according to the company's own workers union). And fair trade coffee a lot of the time is only brewed in their shops should the consumer ask for it. Of course this excludes awareness weeks/days and the such.

It's just frustrating to me in particular because I'm very much anti-legislation, and by being so, put an even greater emphasis on corporate responsiblities. And when a company such as Starbucks, one of the largest purchasers in the world of coffee have the power to create demand and to pay a price for these beans that is in the least bit fair, don't, it kind of deflates my whole political philosophy and man-kind loveydoveyness.

[Kanada Kev]

They've got a whole site for their cups

I'm sure out of the hundreds that are there, everyone can take offense

http://www.starbucks.com/retail/thewayiseeit_default.asp

Hey, you can even submit your own "The way i see it"

#220 is sure to get some goin'

The Way I See It #220 previous | next

Evolution as described by Charles Darwin is a scientific theory, abundantly reconfirmed, explaining physical phenomena by physical causes. Intelligent Design is a faith-based initiative in rhetorical argument. Should we teach I.D. in America’s public schools? Yes, let’s do it – not as science, but alongside other spiritual beliefs, such as Islam, Zoroastrianism and the Hindu idea that the Earth rests on Chukwa, the giant turtle.

-- David Quammen

Author. His books include The Song of the Dodo and The Reluctant Mr. Darwin.

The Way I See It #230 previous | next

Heaven is totally overrated. It seems boring. Clouds, listening to people play the harp. It should be somewhere you can’t wait to go, like a luxury hotel. Maybe blue skies and soft music were enough to keep people in line in the 17th century, but Heaven has to step it up a bit. They’re basically getting by because they only have to be better than Hell.

-- Joel Stein

Columnist for the Los Angeles Times.

Edited May 11, 2007 by Guest

[ollie]

I'd like to see this printed on the side:

"Hey idiot, you just spent $4 on a cup of coffee."

[Birdy]

And that $4 is more than the daily wage of the guy who picked the beans of your brew!

[guigsy]

not that im pro-starbucks or anti-starbucks, i simply dont care where you get your coffee, but if you're spending $4 on a drink at starbucks it has a much fancier name than just "coffee". "coffee" costs the same as it does at most places, just like at most places, things with fancy names cost $4. just saying.

[Kanada Kev]

I'd like to see this printed on the side:

"Hey idiot, you just spent $4 on a cup of coffee."

Perfect!!! Maybe even add "and there's no liquor in it!"

Send it in to their website. Maybe one day we'll see your quote on one of 'em cups

[StoneMtn]

Are you sure Starbucks doesn't allow unions? I am almost positive that my ex-girlfriend in Vancouver, when I dated her in 1998, was in a union while she worked at Starbucks. She was also a huge proponent of the company and the fact that it treated her and other workers extremely well, including providing many benefits.

I have never read anything on this topic, so the only knowledge I have is from my ex and what she used to say, but that was her opinion as I remember it. (She is no dummy, either. She was a child-prodigy who entered university at the age of 16, and has since developed an international following of her philosophical writings and online blogging.)

[Birdy]

Starbucks Union

[djmelbatoast]

I know that all the Starbucks Unions in BC have been busted. I heard a segment on CBC Radio One about it.