The project evolved within a course on corporate sustainability communications that was conducted at the University of Vechta in cooperation with Lebensbaum, a company that produces organic and partly fair-traded spices, tea, and coffee. Five students from different fields decided to dive into the area of sustainability reporting and make themselves familiar with different schemes and guidelines that are applied by corporations. Together with Lebensbaum employees, the students examined and discussed the current sustainability report in order to identify points for improvement and aspects that had not been addressed yet. In regards to the GRI guidelines, they found that the enterprise should especially include more aspects concerning the social welfare of both employees at the headquarters as well as along the supply chain. Additionally, the students conducted a qualitative survey among customers of organic supermarkets in order to get a picture of the demands of typical Lebensbaum customers when it comes to corporate responsibility.
As a result of the two approaches, recommendations for a more comprehensive reporting and general communications as well as participation were formulated. The specific categories addressed were labour practices, human rights, social engagement and product responsibility. Thanks to the cooperation with Lebensbaum, the students had the opportunity to experience corporate sustainability communications in a real case and learn vividly about the importance of transparency on the globalized market.
Students involved in the project:
Sarah de Oliveira Moreira, Magdalena Anastasia Müller, Carina Fierley, Inga Verst, Julia Weißhaupt
