Case Name :      Taj Hotels: Building Sustainable Livelihoods

Authors :           Garima Sharma, David G Hyatt

Source :             Ivey Publishing

Case ID :            W13441

Discipline :        Organizational Behavior

Case Length :    12 pages

Solution Sample availability : YES

Plagiarism : NO (100% Original work)

This case explores issues faced by the corporate sustainability manager at the corporate headquarters of a large hotel group in a developing nation as she implements her company’s corporate sustainability strategy through supplier partnerships with bottom-of-the-pyramid (BoP) social organizations. Under the rubric of responsible purchasing, the hotelier’s “Creating Sustainable Livelihoods” initiative engaged cause-based nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) by exploring opportunities where the products or services of such organizations could substitute for similar products or services sourced from for-profit suppliers. The case illustrates the challenges inherent in a BoP responsible purchasing strategy, including the delicate balance between meeting business objectives while supporting social causes.