Retail Brand:
• Founded by Yvon Chouinar, Patagonia’s CEO Ryan Gellert, says that their company of almost 50 years, is a “committed body of work [who insists on being] relentlessly transparent, both internally and externally, about the work [they’re] doing and with [their] shortcomings (Gelles, 2021).” Corporate social responsibility is the key motivator for this company. They defy the planet killers with efforts ablaze. I mean, who else could be named top in ensuring sustainable efforts be thoroughly applied?

Social Responsibility:
• The Fair Labor Association, The B Lab, and 1% for the Planet in addition to eight locally scheduled campaigns, are organizations that Patagonia partakes to support ethical, economic, legal, and discretionary areas of business responsibilities. They proclaim, “we’re in business to save our home planet (Patagonia, 2022).” To “build the best product [that causes] no unnecessary harm. Business is used “to protect nature not bound by convention (Patagonia, 2022).”

Examples:
• The Fair Labor Association enforces guidelines for the well-being of all people and the environment. That includes making sure their environment is safe to work in and that workers are treated with respect through “assurance and transparency (Patagonia, 2022).” Their strategy to understanding what’s happening backstage induces “the FLA [to] randomly [audit] a sampling of our supply chain to assess the quality of apparel companies for progressing in necessary ways.
• “B Lab provides companies with the programs and tools necessary to understand their environmental and social impact (B Lab, 2022).” Patagonia is the first Californian company to join this organization which pledges commitment to sustainability and treating all workers, the community, and the environment, to the highest potential by analyzing bi-annually, the social and environmental execution. One of about 500 other companies to join this group have reached optimally beneficial levels of ethical standards. Customers tend to lean towards brand affinities when socially responsible credentials are associated with a company. To further prosper, they can do so “through succession, capital raises, and even changes in ownership, by institutionalizing the values, culture, processes, and high standards put in place by founding entrepreneurs (Patagonia, 2022).”

• However, there is one major difference with one of these organizations- the 1% for the Planet. This group is created in 1985 by the founder of Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard and two others to pledge 1% of sales to preserving and restoring the environment. This non-profit organization was created to encourage other businesses to follow their lead. Where companies like Coca Cola predominately thrive on political vengeance, Patagonia elects environmental escapades.

Issues:
Patagonia has never been caught in an unethical slew. That’s a very good reason to label this ethical role model as top dog in this competitive advantage. However, in 2011 the company discovered that Taiwanese employees had been paying a “broker:” upwards to 7,000 two-year debt payoff just to work. Per FLA regulations Patagonia shut that down quick. Although, Patagonia had also noticed that the water repellent in a its jackets contained toxic byproducts. Hopefully, this “serves as a lesson for other entrepreneurs who must cope with similarly systemic shocks. (Hensel, 2011).”

What Color of Green?:
• Is the company green for profit or for the environment? Why?
Environment. If Patagonia was in it for the money, then we would see a different company. This company gives donations throughout the year. For instance, “in August 2019, a BBC News story that announced a $10 million (£7.83 million) donation from Patagonia to help combat climate change. This was how much Patagonia saved in 2017 after Donald Trump cut US corporation tax from 35% to 21%.” I don’t feel a need to explain further than that as being an incredible decision for the people over profit. There truly cannot be a more ethical company than one who as shown consistent dedication in their efforts. Simply doing the right thing, gives “the satisfaction of paving the way for more corporate responsibility in the business community and the recognition, support and patronage of conscientious consumers who value serious commitment to the environment (Patagonia, 2022).”

References:
Gelles, D. (2021, December 10). The Patagonia C.E.O.’s mission: ‘save our home planet’. The New York Times. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/10/business/ryan-gellert-patagonia-corner-office.html
Hensel, A. (2011). What Patagonia did when it found human slaves in its supply chain – inc.com. Inc.com. Retrieved December 10, 2022, from https://www.inc.com/anna-hensel/patagonia-pledges-to-implement-higher-standards-in-factories.html
Patagonia. (2022). B-Lab & Patagonia – the first California certified B corporation. B-Lab & Patagonia – the first California Certified B Corporation. Retrieved December 9, 2022, from https://www.patagonia.com/mx/b-lab.html
Patagonia. (2022). 1% for the planet. Patagonia. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.patagonia.com/one-percent-for-the-planet.html
Patagonia. (2022). Our core values – patagonia. Patagonia Outdoor Clothing & Gear. Retrieved December 7, 2022, from https://www.patagonia.com/core-values/