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Managing Change or Managing Impressions: Social Responsibility, Washing, and Ethics at Nestlé
Terri D. Richard
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA
Brittany E. Owens
Louisiana State University, USA
Keith Credo
University of Louisiana at Lafayette, USA
Volume 18: 2025, pp. 47-60; ABSTRACT
Organizational sustainability and ethics research has explored the influence of both
corporate social responsibility (CSR) and “washing” (greenwashing or social washing) on
stakeholders. However, specific impacts on employees remain understudied. Examination of
employee experiences of organizational CSR or washing behaviors reveals that responses may be
complex. The case of Nestlé’s past and recent patterns of corporate social irresponsibility (CSIR),
resultant CSR initiatives, and “washing” behaviors supply an opportunity for students to consider
the potential future outcomes of these efforts and associated impacts on employees. A teaching note
inviting students to consider the broader topics of CSR, washing, and potential employee impacts
from the perspective of management or employees integrates this case into discussions of broader
organization-employee relationships.
Keywords: corporate social responsibility, corporate social irresponsibility, CSI, CSIR, CSR,
greenwashing, washing, ethics, employee perception.
