Be able to discuss the following after completing the case materials:

  • Explain how Patagonia meets each of the levels of Caroll’s Pyramid of CSR.
  • Discuss the relationship between the ethics of Yvon Chouinard and the business practices of Patagonia.
  • Discuss how doing the “socially responsible thing” has led to business success at Patagonia. 
  • Discuss whether another clothing company (like Nike) could simply adopt the same strategies as Patagonia and be successful

Watch the Videos

Yvon Chouinard: The company as activist | GreenBiz (July 18, 2014)

How a clothing company’s anti-consumerist message boosted business | PBS News Hour (August 20, 2015)

Patagonia Corporate Responsibility

Patagonia’s Environmental and Social Initiatives Booklet (2016)

Additional Reading

All Your Clothes Are Made With Exploited Labor (The Atlantic, June 3, 2015)
How Patagonia Grows Every Time It Amplifies Its Social Mission (Fast Company, February 21, 2018)
Patagonia is giving its $10 million tax cut back to the planet (Fast Company, November 28, 2018)
Exclusive: “Patagonia is in business to save our home planet.” (Fast Company, December 13, 2018)