Royal Dutch/Shell in Transition (A, B)

http://cb.hbsp.harvard.edu/cb/product/300039-PDF-ENG
Author: Paine, Lynn S.
Source: Harvard Business School Publishing
Year: 1999
Company Name: Royal/Dutch Shell
Number of pages: 31

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Abstract:

After the Brent Spar episode and the 1995 events in Nigeria, Shell undertakes an intensive review of its values and business principles. At the same time, it conducts the largest multi-stakeholder consultation in its history in an effort to better understand society's evolving expectations for companies like Shell. Based on its findings, the company launches an effort to change its culture and embed in the organization a revised set of business principles. The company is considering whether as part of the transformation effort to begin public reporting on its environmental and social as well as its financial performance. The issue is sharpened when Shell receives a challenge from a small group of shareholders in the form of an unusual (for a British company) shareholder resolution. Teaching Purpose: Allows students to explore society's changing expectations for reporting the non-financial performance of these companies.