Problem
• How do you think Patagonia executives decide on what products to offer so that the outcomes will be both business practical (think profits) and environmentally friendly (think sustainability)? Take the case of a proposed hiking boot. What criteria would you use to evaluate it as a new Patagonia product?
• Even though he is no longer the CEO, Yvon Chouinard still exerts major influence over Patagonia's business approach. What should he and other Patagonia executives be doing today to make sure that his ideals remain a permanent part of the company's culture after he's no longer active at the company?
• Problem Solving. Picture yourself working for Patagonia. The CEO comes to you and asks for a proposal for a new-"forward looking"-sustainability agenda for the firm. The goal is to drive Patagonia's future, not just celebrate its past. What would you include in this proposed agenda in order to really stretch the firm beyond what it is already doing, and why?
• Further Research. Evaluate the risk that ethics might someday lose out to greed even in a company with the idealism of Patagonia. Look carefully into Patagonia's products and practices and see if you can find any missteps where decisions put profits ahead of the company's publicly stated environmental goals. Can you find evidence for strong governance and leadership that will protect Chouinard's values and legacy far into the future? How about the competition? Just how does Patagonia operate today to ensure that ethics and social responsibility are not displaced as core company values? And finally, how about the competition? Is Patagonia still the best role model, or can you identify other firms that deserve to be studied as well as role models in business and society relationships?
The response should include a reference list. One-inch margins, Using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, double-space and APA style of writing and citations.