About the Walt Disney Company

From its 1923 beginnings in animation to the magical resorts today, The Walt Disney Company, or simply Disney, is an international icon where "imagination has no age" (Disney, 2018; Perez, 2013, para. 15). Disney and its subsidiaries comprise cruise lines, media networks, studio entertainment, streaming services, and world-renowned theme parks in 45 countries (Disney, 2018). The Walt Disney Company employs nearly 200,000 employees around the globe, as well as an executive team and board of directors at its headquarters in Burbank, Calif. (Disney, 2018). As of September 10, 2018, Disney's stock, which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the ticker DIS, was priced at 0.

68 per share on market close (Disney, 2018).

On September 15, 1978, Disney's stock was worth $0.92 per share, or $3.49 in today's terms accounting for inflation (Disney, 2018). Social commitments within an organization comprise ethical conduct, corporate philanthropy, environmental practices, and corporate governance (Ferrell, Thorne, & Ferrell, 2016). Disney is dedicated to honorable and ethical practices in worldwide communities and the environment (Disney, 2018).

Disney's environmental focus is to use resources efficiently with zero greenhouse gas emissions, zero waste, and conservation of water (Disney, 2017). Disney World's transportation fleet is fueled by renewable diesel made from cooking oil and non-consumable food waste (Disney, 2017). The company monitors its factories and maintains high international labor standards (Disney, 2018).

In 2017, Disney donated over $348 million to organizations that help communities, families, and public service announcements (Disney, 2018). Disney's volunteers, dubbed VoluntEARS, have provided 3.4 million hours in the past six years (Disney, 2018).

Merits

The sustainable practices at Disney World theme parks demonstrate that a large organization is involved in environmental awareness and development goals (Verma, Dixit, & Singh, 2018). Disney's economic, environmental, and social performance not only achieves higher profits and less impact on the environment, but also boosts its public image (Verma et al., 2018). Disney's social responsibility practice minimizes costs, increases efficiency, and improves service, sales, market share, company growth, revenue, and reputation (Verma et al., 2018). A green supply chain relationship is an added benefit that reduces waste while increasing productivity (Verma et al., 2018).

Nonmarket Circumstance: When Disney's media copyrights were approaching expiration, company executives transferred its intellectual property into numerous trademarked characters, trade names, and images (Bird & Orozco, 2014). Disney's legal strategy allowed company executives to conduct business indefinitely using new entities, while expanding its merchandise brand into a multibillion-dollar business (Bird & Orozco, 2014). Disney's managers in the U.S. and abroad must possess basic knowledge of laws and regulations in the regions where they conduct business (Bird & Orozco, 2014). Additionally, local and international managers should have working relationships with their legal teams to identify risks that can be addressed (Bird & Orozco, 2014).

Considerations: While the Disney Company implements strict environmental measures, the company cannot control the carbon emissions from its millions of theme park and resort visitors who travel via air, land or sea from domestic and international destinations. Disney's advertisements attract visitors from around the world, and the impact on the environment does not align with its environmental standards. Like every corporation, Disney must be profitable to sustain its business operations, employees, shareholders, and stakeholders.

Associations

The Disney Conservation Fund collaborates with conservation organizations to save wildlife and bolster populations of endangered species (Disney, 2018). The organization also provides grants to non-profit organizations that incentivize children and families to help preserve wildlife and protect the planet (Disney, 2018). Disney and the Make-A-Wish Foundation have fulfilled 120,000 wishes since 1980 (Disney, 2018). Disney partners with organizations that assist children through education and mentoring (Disney, 2018). Disney's Hong Kong Disneyland Resort collaborates with the Hong Kong Children's Hospital and has contributed with a donation of $4.1 million HK that provides child patients with Disney-themed attire during their hospital stay (Disney, 2018). Disney's financial and manpower donations to significant groups and organizations have impacted millions of individuals, animals, and species by turning dreams into reality, saving animals, and safeguarding ecosystems.

Conclusion

Consumers with basic knowledge of corporate social responsibility (CSR) may consider actions as obligatory. Disney's commitment to social issues, the environment, and society manifests as genuine goodwill. Disney is resolved to achieve its share of reducing waste, offering grants to charitable organizations, and diminishing a carbon footprint on the planet. The Walt Disney Company's executive team resolves legal corporate matters with an approach that benefits the organization indefinitely. Disney is most commonly associated with Disneyland and Disney World. Still, there is a great number of subsidiaries and associations linked to humanitarian causes. The worldwide magic of Disney extends beyond theme parks and resorts, proving to be a public-spirited and ecologically conscious corporation.

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