An Evaluation of Corporate Responsibility of The Hershey Company

It is essential that multinational companies susceptible to ethical issues are genuinely active and
engaged in their responsibilities. In this light, an evaluation of Corporate Responsibility (CR) of
The Hershey Company will be conducted using the three (3) methods of analyzing CR.

Step I: Basics about the Company and its business

The Hershey Company (HSY) is well-known in the food processing industry where it
specifically ventures in producing a wide array of sweets such as chocolates. It currently
operates in 6 countries across the globe and distributes its products to approximately 85
countries; HSY employs a total of 16,258 employees. Furthermore, annual Net Sales during
2019 is reported at $7.98 billion and in which $8 million worth was spent on donations.
The Vision of Hershey Company is “An innovative snacking powerhouse” that aims to be
a purpose-driven organization in which through its iconic brands, remarkable people, and
helping children, the entity could ‘bring goodness’ to the world.

Step II: Crucial Elements and Operationalization of the CR

Based on the sustainability report released by The Hershey Company for the year 2019,
its corporate responsibility strategy focuses on meeting consumer needs, combating climate
change, addressing poverty, and supporting farmer livelihoods, and stakeholder expectations.
The focus of HSY’s sustainable activities are directed towards shared business, shared planet,
its people, children and youth, and shared communities. Accordingly, the CR activities of the
HSY are aligned with the UN SDGs.