This case study is the result of a joint venture between The Co-operative Bank, the University of Lincoln, and an independent Business Ethicist. The Management Case Study goes straight to the heart of topical interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and what a socially responsible business might actually look like in practice.
"You could say that there are many respects in which The Co-operative Bank is just like other banks. There is one important difference; we are the only high street bank that gives our customers a say in how their money is managed – most importantly, by encouraging their input into the ongoing development of our Ethical Policy. We have found that a lot of interest has been shown in the bank’s story over the years and have even found, to our surprise, that we were the subject of a question on an ‘A’ Level paper. So, we were concerned that, when we were studied, it would be on the basis of the facts. Co-operating with the production of this business case has given us the chance to tell our story properly, in a structured way, and it has reminded us how different it really is to be The Co-operative Bank."
Simon Williams, Director of Corporate Affairs, The Co-operative Bank
The overall objectives of Biography of The Co-operative Bank are: to raise awareness of different structures, cultures and philosophies in business along with taking a fresh look at the relationship businesses have with their stakeholders. This case study is, therefore, not intended as a ‘how to do it’ exemplar which others should copy. Rather, the hope is that it will raise the level of debate about CSR and socially responsible business, both generally and in the more specific context of other businesses, and to enable each of you who engages with it to take from it something of value for your own development.
The more specific learning outcomes for Biography of The Co-operative Bank are that, on completing the module, you will be able to:
1. explain the different forms which a business may take in terms of legal structure, values and principles;
2. discuss the influence of an organisation’s history and philosophy on the development of its strategy;
3. articulate the likely impact of the different forms of business arising out of 1 & 2 on the relationship between the business and its stakeholders;
4. outline the ways in which the relationship between business and society generates a requirement for accountability;
5. debate the extent to which businesses engage in ethics as a superficial public relations exercise or with a deeply embedded commitment to action.
To assist you in achieving these learning outcomes, some study questions have been developed and can be found at the end of the case study. The expectation is that you will engage in study and research beyond the material presented here and that you will draw on your own experiences in answering the questions. Lastly, some notes intended to provide guidance in tackling the questions may be found at the back of the text. We hope you find Biography of The Co-operative Bank interesting and enjoyable to read, and an informative and thought-provoking study vehicle. We are social animals, or so it is said. Perhaps this is not meant in the sense of people being sociable, but rather in recognition of the way that groups of people work together, especially in challenging times.
