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Johnson, Organizational Ethics 3e, © 2015 – Instructor Resources
Case Study 12.1
Girl Scout Barbie
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Toy maker Mattel pledged $2 million to the Girl Scouts for the right to create product tie-ins to
the Barbie doll. Scouts can buy a Barbie doll in a scout uniform, visit a Barbie website, earn a
Barbie participation patch, and receive a Barbie-themed activity book. Children’s advocacy
groups argue that Mattel is using its collaboration with the Scouts to market a doll that sexualizes
young women. The Scouts and Mattel disagree, claiming that Girl Scout Barbie inspires girls to
explore new careers and opportunities.
Product tie-ins are becoming increasingly popular. However, this case demonstrates that tie-ins
can pose significant risk to charity partners.
Learning Objectives
*Students will evaluate the ethics of the Girl Scout-Mattel partnership and other
corporate-nonprofit product tie-ins.
*Students will determine if the Girl Scouts should end its partnership with Mattel.
*Students will develop guidelines for product tie-ins.
Discussion Guide
Mattel believes that it is engaged in corporate social responsibility by working with the Girl
Scouts. However, your students may not agree and conclude that Mattel is benefitting more than
the charity. Broaden the discussion to address other popular tie-ins (some are mentioned in the
case). Ask students to decide whether or not the Scouts should break off its partnership with
Mattel. Conclude by brainstorming advice or guidelines that nonprofits and corporations should
follow when considering business relationships. Point out that corporations can suffer if they
partner with charities that get embroiled in scandal.
Case Study 12.2
The Public Benefit Corporation
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Several states have laws creating a new category of corporation called the Public Benefit
Corporation (BC). The BC designation allows corporations to resist stockholder pressure to
focus solely on profit. To qualify as a BC, a company must have a social purpose written into its
corporate charter and file annual reports describing how well it is reaching its social or
environmental goals.
Johnson, Organizational Ethics 3e, © 2015 – Instructor Resources
Benefit corporations appear to be an important new development in CSR and may be particularly
attractive to socially conscious Millennials.
Learning Objectives
*Students will identify the advantages and disadvantages of public benefit corporations.
*Students will identify their interest in doing business with, and/or investing in
benefit corporations.
Discussion Guide
Case Study 12.3
The Greening (or Greenwashing) of Walmart
Case Synopsis and Analysis
Walmart, the world’s largest company, has been engaged in an ambitious sustainability campaign
that has drawn the support of a number of environmental groups. Other environmentalists argue
that Walmart is engaged in “greenwashing” instead of greening, noting that the firm has fallen
short of its claims. The retailer generates only a fraction of its energy from renewable sources,
produces more greenhouse gasses as it grows, and gobbles up land for new stores.
Walmart has made impressive strides in reducing waste and promoting environmentally sensitive
practices. However, by focusing on low prices, the firm will find it hard to reach its
sustainability objectives. So far, when price conflicts with environmental objectives, low costs
win out.
Learning Objectives
*Students will evaluate Walmart’s sustainability initiatives.
*Students will determine if Walmart business model limits its efforts to promote
sustainability.
Discussion Guide
Johnson, Organizational Ethics 3e, © 2015 – Instructor Resources
