BM2212

Names Section Date

Amazon
At the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, Amazon divided people into three (3) broad groups: employees,
customers, and the community. For the employees, Amazon is granting a special one-time Thank You
bonus of over $500 million. Amazon expects to invest approximately $4 billion on COVID-related
initiatives getting products to customers and keeping employees safe.

Amazon has made over 150 process updates, from enhanced cleaning and social distancing measures to
new efforts like disinfectant spraying. Any employee diagnosed with COVID-19 will receive up to two (2)
weeks of paid time off, in addition to their other paid and unpaid time off options. Large COVID-19
testing facilities have been built. Extra time off with full pay for those diagnosed with COVID-19 has been
offered. Amazon also established a $25 million relief fund for employees facing financial hardship or
quarantine.

For the customers, Amazon provided free masks with enhanced cleaning to customers at all open
Amazon physical retail stores and Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. Dedicated shopping hours
have been framed to service customers who are 60 plus, those with disabilities, and fall under the high-
risk category. Amazon has enabled front-porch delivery, where the delivery team will leave the item at
your front door, and customers will not be required to sign for it. Amazon ensured that all delivery
vehicles and equipment were disinfected daily, and delivery devices and mobile phones were disinfected
after each delivery appointment.

Amazon launched a $20 million AWS Diagnostic Initiative for the global communities to accelerate
COVID- 19 research. In Europe, the company committed €21 million (almost USD 23 million) to support
those most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has donated $100
million to Feeding America.

The company hired 175,000 additional full- and part-time employees and is working with foodbanks in
25 cities across the country to deliver 6 million meals to underserved and vulnerable populations.
Moreover, the company donated $5 million in Amazon devices globally to those in need, donating 8,200
laptops to Seattle Public Schools students who do not have access to a device at home.

Answer the following questions: (2 items x 10 points)

1. What are the sustainable business practices of Amazon based on the given case?
2. What pillars of sustainability are being addressed by Amazon’s business practices based on
the given case?

Rubric for grading:

CRITERIA PERFORMANCE INDICATORS POINTS
Content Provided pieces of evidence, supporting details, and
8
factual scenarios
Organization Expressed the points in clear and logical arrangement
2
of ideas of ideas in the paragraph
TOTAL 10

References:
Dess, G., Eisner, A., Lee, S., McNamara, G. (2021) Strategic Management: Creating Competitive
Advantages (10th ed.) New York. McGraw-Hill Education.

03 Activity 1 *Property of STI

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