2008 Woodie Awards
Corporations reach out to Lewis
Jessica Kush
Issue date: 11/14/05 Section: News
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It offered a four-person panel that included representatives from four company's social and corporate responsibility departments. A group of about 100 students and faculty were in attendance for the discussion.
The panel included representatives such as Bob Langert from McDonalds Corporation; Deborah White, from Kraft Foods; Vidette Ballock Mixon from the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of the United Methodist Church; and Steven Sicher from Merrill Lynch.
The panel discussion began with Professor Bob Bergman introducing the panel and then presenting the first question of discussion.
The question of what corporate social responsibility is to each company was posed to each panelist and they were asked to answer in terms of their company's purpose.
Langert began the discussion offering the definition that McDonalds uses: "responsibility means striving to do what is right, being a good neighbor in the community, and integrating social and environmental priorities into our restaurants and our relationships with suppliers and business partners."
Langert, being one of the leading panelists in the discussion, was able to give the audience not only a good view of corporate social responsibility meant for McDonalds, but also for much of the food industry.
Being on the defensive side due to McDonald's reputation in the media, Langert tried to make a better case for the company with positive facts about the whole company.
Langert's insight helped to bring many questions from students and faculty who are concerned about the ethical issue surrounding the points of food that is made every day, as well as the ways in which the companies are affecting other businesses.
White brought about a few supporting points on corporate social responsibility. Her main focus seemed to be the overall view of the Kraft Company and the ways in which responsibility plays a role in becoming a better company for the employee and the consumer.
