Running Head: GROUP 3 COMPANY CORE VALUES
Group 3 Company Core Values
Christopher Schultz, Robin Shrader, Kevin Smith, Kaitlin Swann,
Kip Swaringen, John Whaley, & Tito Windham
Liberty University BMAL 570
December 9, 2018
Dr. Betty Ahmed
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Abstract
A vital component of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is authenticity. The values
of the company and the values of its leaders must be lived out day to day within the organization
and in the community. Building a culture of CSR can be challenging with the countless number
of demands on organizations today. In order to build a culture of CSR, leaders must build
covenant relationships with their stakeholders which will establish a culture of trust. In this
group project, Group 3 will examine the values that have made companies like TOMS,
Starbucks, Chick-fila, Amazon, Hobby Lobby, and Costco so effective over the years. This
project will develop the core values of employee care, community focus, loving kindness, and
environmental stewardship and discuss how they have been the heartbeat of these different
companies.
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Group 3 Company Core Values
Group 3 Company has a strong desire to be successful in the marketplace by standing
firmly behind the core values. Our desire is to provide for and grow our employees, maintain a
community focus, demonstrate loving kindness to all, and practice environmental stewardship.
These values are all found in and confirmed by Scripture. The following paragraphs will explain
each value and provide examples of the ways they benefit Group 3 Company.
Employee Care
A business that wants to maintain their position in the marketplace should take care of
their people above all else through servant leadership. Employ care through competitive wages
and benefits, time off, and promotions allow employees to feel valued in the workplace.
Research has shown that when employees feel more respected, their commitment to the
organization is increased and employee turnover may be decreased; therefore, “managers must
ensure that young, educated employees work in a respectful environment that protects and
affirms their positive self-views, acknowledges their value and contributions, and is free of
unnecessary criticisms or undermining behavior” (Ng, 2016, p. 622). It creates a sense of
ownership within the organization by all involved (Berman, 2011).
Scripture provides dozens of examples of godly servant leadership through the story of
Jesus Christ, from his early teachings going from town to town, to his ultimate crucifixion
(Agosto, 2005). Luke 22:26 is a great example of this lesson. It reads, “But not so with you.
Rather, let the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as one who serves.”
We are directed to serve others humbly in all matters, and taking care of our employees through
wages, benefits, and time off can help assure that this happens.
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Community Focus
The community-focused values espoused by the companies that Group 3 studied share a
commonality in the form of CSR. In the hyper-competitive business environment, companies
view the community as a valuable and mutually beneficial stakeholder (Lawal, May, & Stahl,
2017). Therefore, businesses strategically integrate their goodwill services to the community
into their business model. As the business landscape evolves so does societies expectation of
businesses as it relates to giving back to the communities from which they profit. CSR is good
for business; however, the motivation for TOMS, Chick-fil-a, Starbucks, Amazon, Hobby Lobby,
and Costco’s CSR initiatives are out of genuine concern for people.
CSR community engagement can be expressed through volunteerism, donations, and
partnerships with community organizations (Deigh, Farquhar, Palazzo, & Siano, 2016). The act
of serving the community by giving monetary donations, invaluable time, and community
members a respectable place to work contributes to the quality of life of employees, supplements
a firm’s goodwill, and is a testament of the company's community-focused values (Deigh et al.,
2016). Scripture instructs us, “Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such
sacrifices are pleasing to God” (Hebrews 13:16). Scripture speaks to acts of generosity similar to
those of the six companies who practice CSR by providing shoes, scholarships, a living wage,
and adoption assistance to the less fortunate. Also, the companies act of goodwill towards the
community include affording employees reasonable time off to be with family and faith-based
activities. Despite the companies being for-profit organizations, each company embraces its
responsibility of being a contributor to the greater good of the communities and society as a
whole.
Loving Kindness
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Issues of morality and organizational integrity in regards to social issues and the
environment have begun to take precedence over things like price points or product quality
(Alberti & Varon, 2017). Loving kindness has become an important part of the overall business
model, not only to stay consistent with biblical values, but to keep on par with new shifting
business norms. Outlined corporate values are a necessity, and a CEO must not only
communicate them but genuinely live them. Promises must be made by leadership within the
organization and then kept (Satell, 2015). For this reason, Group 3 Company stresses the
importance of loving kindness for the benefit of others and for God, and promises to hold itself
to the highest standard in regards to social issues, the environment, and respect for all people.
The value of respect for all persons begins with the creation when “God created man in
his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis
1:27). The concept of imago dei conveys the worth and value of all persons. It has been written
that “as image-bearers of God, humans have inherent worth and dignity. One practical
implication of the imago dei is that we must respect and value life, from conception to natural
death” (Hebert, n.d.). The Psalmist reminds readers that all persons are “fearfully and
wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:13, English Standard Version). Followers of Christ see further
evidence of the imago dei doctrine in the death of Christ for the redemption of all people as John
wrote, “He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole
world” (1 John 2:2, English Standard Version). If Christ died for all people, then all people are
worthy of respect and honor.
The New Testament illustrates the value of covenants between people through the
Gospels of Jesus Christ. These covenants are rooted in love and kindness, and this kind of bond
outlines a necessary set of values for followers of Christ. These values include love, trust, and
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compassion in all actions and decisions as exemplified through the life of Jesus Christ. These
values and beliefs create a specific ethical identity that most Christians share (Rae & Wong,
2012). Godly organizational leadership is obligated to include these values in all decisions being
made, and must be committed to keeping covenants made with their employees and their
community.
Environmental Stewardship
“Proper environmental stewardship needs to balance people’s basic needs and
environment effects. A good steward realizes they do not own the environment but only manage
it in an efficient manner for the greatest possible outcome” (Environmental, 2013). Many people
today trace this concept back to Aldo Leopold’s 1949 essay entitled, “Land Ethic”, which
suggests individuals should exhibit moral responsibility toward the natural world. But the real
author of environmental stewardship is God. Psalm 90:2 says, “Before the mountains were
brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting
you are God.” The earth and everything in it belong to God alone. Mankind was created in God’s
image and as such has certain privileges and responsibilities which include stewardship of the
environment (Genesis 1:26-28; Psalm 8:5).
There are many benefits for businesses who model environmental stewardship.
Customers today are looking more closely at what certain brands stand for before deciding to
purchase. Companies with sustainability programs and other green initiatives are highly
attractive to buyers. Sustainability also draws employees and investors. People want to make
their own contributions to global environmental efforts. From a practical standpoint, productivity
is increased while costs and waste are reduced. And as technology continues to make efficiency
cheaper, going green continues to make more financial sense. Organizations who are
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environmentally conscientious typically have less difficulty with compliance and regulatory
concerns because they have already handled them. Lastly, “morale and productivity will improve
even as sales increase and costs decrease,” which makes shareholders very happy (Rogers,
2016).
God has called us to be good stewards of the world in which we live. “Be fruitful and
multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of
the sky and over every living thing that moves” (Genesis 1:28). As discussed by Dr. Duby in the
week 5 presentation, it is critical for Christian business leaders to be image bearers of Christ and
be good stewards, so that our values guide our decisions and enable us to be ethical leaders. In
the case of TOMS this has expanded to being good stewards of the world in which we live and
not damaging it in their effort to restore people.
Conclusion
Group 3 company understands the importance of outlining and communicating their core
values in order to best serve the consumer and employees. By looking at other leaders in the
marketplace, it is made clear what the most important values are in a thriving organization. These
values include employee care, community focus, loving kindness, and environmental
stewardship. All four of these values have deep-rooted foundations in biblical truths, and
following them allows leaders within this organization to lead in a moral and godly manner.
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