Corporate Social Responsibility of Northwestern Mutual

Posted by Matthew Harvey on Oct-17-2018

1. CSR at Northwestern Mutual

CSR s embedded in the business philosophy of Northwestern Mutual. At Northwestern Mutual, the business operations and processes are designed in a way that they do not become an obstacle or a burden in the way of people’s and the environment’s wellbeing. At the same time, these processes and designs boost business growth. The systematic design of operations at Northwestern Mutual enables the management to ensure that the organization achieves sustainable business growth by reducing attached risk factors as well as through community building goals and ambitions. Northwestern Mutual strives to increase its social impact and influence on the environment and in people’s lives- by focusing on three big goals. 

1.1. Values at Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual works for CSR through the CSV approach. This is made easier to incorporate in the company systems because of the core values practised at Northwestern Mutual. These are:

Respect – for every one

  • Trust
  • Integrity
  • Honesty
  • Accountability

1.2. CSR goals at Northwestern Mutual

1.2.1. Improving livings standards for communities through increasing employment opportunities

Northwestern Mutual believes in working for the people, and working with the people. With the growth of the business across the world, Northwestern Mutual ensures that it creates new employment and livelihood opportunities for millions across the globe. This is done through direct employment and contracts, as well as through inclusive business opportunities.

1.2.2. Enhancing the health and wellbeing of communities engaging with Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual works with communities at large and aims to help them become healthier and happier. Northwestern Mutual provides nutritional boosting and support to communities where it runs operations, as well as to other communities living in regions marked below poverty. Additionally, Northwestern Mutual also produces and distributes health and hygiene products to enhance the wellbeing of its customers along with the various communities it has engaged with.

1.2.3. Reducing environmental footprint

Northwestern Mutual works towards reducing its environmental footprint by ensuring that it allows the legislation regarding carbon production and release. Also, Northwestern Mutual works towards designing operational processes that reduce water and land pollution. All products manufactured and distributed by Northwestern Mutual come with a disposal method to reduce wastage, and increase recycling. 

2. Creating shared value (CSV) at Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual works hard to create value for not only the shareholders but for the society at large. This approach of creating shared value has enabled impressive business growth for Northwestern Mutual, as well as allowing its expansion regionally as well as in its product portfolio. Through creating shared value, Northwestern Mutual brings value to the lives of communities where it operates by influencing those aspects of the society which intersect and coincide with the business offerings and business operations.

2.1. How to maximize value creation?

Through the CSV approach, Northwestern Mutual can create the most value in the following aspects:

2.1.1. Nutrition

Northwestern Mutual focuses on investing in the health of communities by focusing on nutrition and medication, as well as on sanitation and hygiene. The primary focus remains on ensuring health safety for children and infants.

2.1.2. Water

Northwestern Mutual works hard with third parties and external as well as internal support systems to ensure that its operations do not cause water damage. In addition, it administers all its internal sewage plants to dispose of waste optimally without risking water life.

2.1.3. Air cleansing

Northwestern Mutual maintains carbon units as per legislation in all its operations across the globe. The company also takes responsibility for ensuring that all its industrial sites and operations are placed away from residential areas to reduce maximum exposure of plant operations to the public.

2.1.4. Rural development

 Northwestern Mutual strives to develop communities where it operates. This includes rural communities and settlements from where Northwestern Mutual gets its raw materials and inputs as well as labour. Northwestern Mutual created varied employment and livelihood opportunities for these communities to help them raise their living standards and quality of life.

3. Commitments made by Northwestern Mutual

Commitments at the Northwestern Mutual have helped shape its CSR and CSV approach based on multiple trends from across the globe. These commitments have helped Northwestern Mutual maintain focus in giving back to the community as well as in developing a more sustainable environment and workplace. Commitments are the long term goals that Northwestern Mutual wants to fulfil and achieve in the following different aspects:

3.1. For individuals and families

3.1.1. Living healthier lives

For families and communities, the CSV approach of Northwestern Mutual focuses on helping individuals attain a balance between healthy nutrition and physical exercise as a means of a healthier lifestyle and healthy living. With today’s work style and busy schedules, this is quite a challenge. Northwestern Mutual works intending to develop programs and products to help communities manage time well and stay motivated towards increasing their wellbeing.

3.1.2. Having nutritional knowledge

Northwestern Mutual works with the long term aspiration of enhancing the lifestyles of communities. The company plans to do it by sharing information regarding nutritional facts, and by raising awareness of nutritional intake. The company does this by not only making the nutritional value available for its own manufactured products but also develops programs and information sharing networks to help individuals learn about healthy eating and make informed dietary decisions.

3.2. For communities

3.2.1. Rural development

Northwestern Mutual works towards developing rural communities-especially where it is operational and present. The company engages not only in employment creation but also infrastructure development and education deployment programs to help communities improve their living standards. Northwestern Mutual also conducts vocational training programs frequently.

3.2.2. Promoting diversity

Northwestern Mutual also works towards inclusion through its diversity programs. The company has designed programs and policies to ensure the inclusion of all community groups in the employment cycle. In addition, the company also conducts training and skill enhancement sessions for all community groups –including disabled and special persons

3.3. For the planet

3.3.1. Protecting water

Northwestern Mutual understands the need for protecting water resources across the globe and is also an active fighter for water preservation. With the high scarcity of clean drinking water, Northwestern Mutual works and strives to provide communities with clean drinking water through having installed filter plants

3.3.2. Protecting natural resources

 With increased urbanization, natural landscapes of forests and grasslands have quickly turned into urban centres. Northwestern Mutual ensures that all its operational sites are designed in a way that they do not harm or risk the natural ecosystem. In addition, the company works towards protecting the environment by building green spaces.

3.3.3. Safeguarding the environment

The operations of Northwestern Mutual, like other players in the industry, are being affected by the climatic changes, and the weather alterations. To fight this change, and to safeguard the environment, Northwestern Mutual works towards creating safe green spaces through high rate plantations. This is to ensure environmental sustainability and enrichment of the ecosystem.

4. Value chain at Northwestern Mutual and CSR

At Northwestern Mutual, SCR is embedded in the company DNA. Northwestern Mutual ensures that the CSV approach is integrated into all operations and systems at the company, including THE VALUE CHAIN.

4.1. Supply chain

4.1.1. Rural development

Northwestern Mutual allies with farmers and other partners to obtain the high quality raw material. In doing so, the company ensures that it invests in the wellbeing in the development of its partners and related communities through educational opportunities as well as various training programs and infrastructure development.

4.1.2. Responsible sourcing

Northwestern Mutual participates in responsible sourcing. All its partners throughout the supply chain and for raw materials have been tested against set ethical backgrounds to ensure that all raw sources and materials are obtained from partners doing sustainable business.

4.1.3. Animal welfare

In all its sourcing, Northwestern Mutual ensures that no animals are harmed. Northwestern Mutual makes sure that all animals are fed high quality fodder, and that they are kept in a clean and safe environment. In addition, Northwestern Mutual also provides safe breeding grounds for animals and regularly authorizes veterinary check-ups for all animals in partner farms.

4.1.4. Human rights

Northwestern Mutual is also particularly careful to ensure that all human rights are upheld in its business operations. This includes no child labour, and inclusive diversity, amongst other things. Also, the business operations of Northwestern Mutual also include high dependence on local workers for labor and management – making sure all local and global human rights are followed thoroughly.

4.2. Manufacturing

4.2.1. Water, sanitation and hygiene

During the manufacturing process and value additions, Northwestern Mutual maintains an emphasis on water, sanitation and hygiene. All plants and manufacturing units operated by Northwestern Mutual have an authorized sanitation system in place which ensures minimal water wastage. Besides, all industrial waste is disposed of off through authorized channels only – ensuring that no natural water body and water source is harmed or polluted.

4.2.2. Natural resource stewardship

Northwestern Mutual is also an active pioneer of natural resource stewardship. Northwestern Mutual has devised ways to ensure that natural resources are sustainably used for industrial operations, and are not damaged during business processes. Northwestern Mutual shares this knowledge publicly for the overall welfare of the environment and the planet.

4.2.3. Women empowerment

During its manufacturing process, the Northwestern Mutual also ensures to employ women labour in various managerial and operational level jobs. These women are usually from local communities and are trained for new skill development and enhancement. In doing so, Northwestern Mutual ensures that women are equipped with the confidence and decision making abilities s that they advance not only in their professional but also in their personal and social lives.

4.3. Retail and consumers

4.3.1. Responsible marketing and influence

Northwestern Mutual makes sure to use ethical means of marketing its products. This means not only does it disseminate rightful information and data regarding the company, but also makes sure that it does not use unethical appeals in its marketing communication.

4.3.2. Marketing to children

Northwestern Mutual is also careful in its marketing to children so that it is not exploitative. Rather, marketing to children is done through influencing adults towards the products offered by Northwestern Mutual.

4.3.3. Product Safety

Northwestern Mutual ensures product safety in consumption at all times. This is done not only through mentioning nutritional value and facts but also through a clear statement of manufacturing dates and batches. This is to make sure that consumers are aware of the product quality and life cycle. Also, the company mentions clear ways and processes of disposing of the products to ensure that the environment is sustained and not harmed.

5. Working towards achieving sustainable goals 

 The CSR and CSV approach at Northwestern Mutual is closely guided by the sustainable development goals chalked out by the United Nations. Through working on the attainment of the SDGs, Northwestern Mutual, and many other companies work together to create a peaceful and harmonious future that has sustainable resources and environment.    

Through connecting Northwestern Mutual’s goals and commitments with the SDGs, the company has created avenues of channelling a positive impact on society through its operations and business as a whole.

5.1. No poverty

  • Northwestern Mutual creates opportunities for skill enhancement and vocational training
  • Northwestern Mutual also provides equal employment opportunities to all labours from the local communities
  • Northwestern Mutual promotes and supports small business ventures through inclusive business support and funding – especially for women who are micro-entrepreneurs in the community

5.2. Zero hunger

  • Northwestern Mutual works towards implementing a model of less food wastage and food loss – in the manufacturing as well as the supply chain process
  • Northwestern Mutual provides subsidized products in communities that are living below the poverty line, as well as in communities where it is operational and has industrial units and sites
  • Northwestern Mutual has developed recycling plants in local communities to ensure that there is no food wasted during consumption, and it is recycled into other products needed for a sustainable environment

5.3. Clean water and sanitation

  • Northwestern Mutual strives to ensure high water efficiency and water sustainability in all business operations and processes
  • Northwestern Mutual advocates and also internally implements positive water policies
  • Infrastructure developed by Northwestern Mutual in different rural communities and settlements ensures authorized sewage networks and lines to avoid dumping in freshwater reserves

5.4. Life on land

  • Northwestern Mutual works towards establishing the green supply chain
  • Northwestern Mutual ensures that no Green spaces are destroyed for its business and industrial purposes, and also works towards creating healthy green spaces through numerous plantations
  • Northwestern Mutual places a high emphasis on maintaining regular health check-ups for all community members – free of cost, and also focuses on animal welfare for farmers

5.5. Good health and well being

  • Northwestern Mutual works towards improving the living standards and quality of life of communities it engages with
  • For farmers, Northwestern Mutual has also improved farm economics
  • Northwestern Mutual works towards protecting the children in the supply chain processes, as well as creates diverse livelihood opportunities for adults

5.6. Quality education

  • Northwestern Mutual provides a hands-on learning opportunity for young adults from local communities through internship opportunities
  • Northwestern Mutual also sponsors various scholarship programs for different grade levels in communities where it is operations
  • Northwestern Mutual has inaugurated primary schools in three different regions where it has operations – in rural settlements – as a step towards achieving quality education for all.

6. Partnerships and collaborations for a greater positive impact

6.1. United Nations Global Impact

The Northwestern Mutual works with the United Nations through the united nation global compact (UNGC) avenue. Northwestern Mutual has close and successful collaborations with UNGC based on the commonality of goals and values, as well as short term sustainable plans for environmental wellbeing. Collaboration with UNGC is two way for Northwestern Mutual:

  • It helps Northwestern Mutual strengthen its integration of the CSV approach, and its various aspects and channels. Working with UNGC allows the Northwestern Mutual to redesign and improve its operations to ensure that all systems are ethically sound and sustainable
  •  Working with UNGC allows Northwestern Mutual to help in whatever way possible, towards the attainment of the SDGs developed and defined by the UN. By being partners with UNGC, Northwestern Mutual ensures that it's business operations and practices, as well as external engagements, work towards accomplishing the defined SDGs.

6.2. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

Northwestern Mutual has collaborated and worked with IFRC in different regions of Africa for more than a decade – striving towards improving water sanitation and hygiene issues. The company has worked tirelessly to help provide communities with safe drinking water. The efforts of Northwestern Mutual have been tied, especially with first communities that reside in crop and local farms, as well as for communities who live near bottled water plants in different African regions.

7. Accounting and CSR at Northwestern Mutual

CSR is also very evident in the accounting practices at Northwestern Mutual. Incorporation of CSR at all fronts and in all departments of the organization has helped Northwestern Mutual achieve a distinctive competitive edge, and has also improved its image and standing amongst consumers as ab active advocate of sustainable living and sustainable consumption.

The overall organizational CSR at Northwestern Mutual has been achieved in large because of its emphasis on incorporating CSR at the base level functions – such as that of accounting

7.1. Accounting Principles at Northwestern Mutual

Northwestern Mutual follows the international standard and policies in its accounting principles. The company has in-house trained and qualified individuals from each region where it operates, along with managerial support from the headquarters for developing and auditing accounting principles and accounting activities in the business. All activities and processes, as well as accounting systems, are vetted for local and international legislations attached, and ensure to follow an ethically built framework that is within the legal boundaries.

7.2. Governance structure at Northwestern Mutual

All managerial levels at Northwestern Mutual, including the strategic leaders, are supervised by governing internal bodies. The strategic leadership is supervised by the board of directors, while other managerial levels are supervised for their performance internally by other managerial groups and levels. The purpose of governance at Northwestern Mutual Is to ensure that the company is in line with its CSV approach at all times and that all business operations and decisions are made in perspective of the company’s value of sustainable living.

7.3. External advisory partners

To ensure that all practices at Northwestern Mutual are ethical, and followed as per international benchmarks and expectations, the Northwestern Mutual also contracts with a third party, external advisors. These advisors audit and vet the company systems, processes, and accounting numbers to make sure that everything is in line with the expectations, and the business model.

8. Finance and CSR at Northwestern Mutual

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8.1. Financing opportunities

Northwestern Mutual finds higher opportunities for financing its projects because of its engagement in various CSR activities. This is because the company faces lesser financial constraints because of its improved image ad standing. Moreover, it is also now easier for Northwestern Mutual to secure finances for funding new projects and ideas.

8.2. Higher investment opportunities

When firms like Northwestern Mutual perform and engage in CSR activities, they include them and mention them clearly in the annual report and other official company documents. This increases the overall transparency for Northwestern Mutual and communicates values of commitment, trust, and passion. 

 As a result, it attracts new investments from local as well as international investors for business expansion and business operation enhancement. With higher transparency, potential investors feel less doubtful and less fearful about investing in Northwestern Mutual. 

8.3. Improved stakeholder engagement

CSR engagement by Northwestern Mutual in various aspects, and on various platforms has resulted largely because of higher participation, engagement and encouragement by the stakeholders. This active engagement by stakeholders and shareholders alike has convinced strategic managers for Northwestern Mutual to develop a long-form and a futuristic strategy. This has been important for Northwestern Mutual for resource allocation and contracting and planning with the right outlook and resources in perspective. 

9. References

Cole, G., 2003. Strategic Management. Boston: Cengage Learning EMEA.

Gerlach, A., 2003. Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Innovation. University of Leeds, s.n.

Hill, C. & Jones, G., 2007. Strategic Management: An Integrated Approach. Boston: Cengage Learning.

King, D. & Lawley, S., 2016. Organizational Behaviour. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Kotler, P. & Keller, K., 2009. Marketing Management. New Jersey: Prentice Hall.

Martinez-Ferrero, J. & García-Sánchez, I., 2015. Is corporate social responsibility an entrenchment strategy? Evidence in stakeholder protection environments.. Rev. Manag. Sci. , Volume 9, p. 89–114.

Mazurkiewicz, P., n.d. Corporate Environmental Responsibility: Is a common CSR framework possible?. s.l.:World Bank

McWilliams, A. & Siegel, D., 2001. Corporate social responsibility: A theory of the firm perspective. Academy of Management Review, 26(1), p. 117–127.

Perez, A. & Rodríguez del Bosque, I., 2014. The role of CSR in the corporate identity of banking service providers. Journal of Business Ethics, 108(2), pp. 145-166.

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