We Are the Champions! Leadership, Partnership and Championship as Drivers for Animal Ethics the Western Food Industry

Abstract

This paper explains differing company positions on animal ethics, using a qualitative study of drivers and challenges of animal ethics in large Western-Europe-based food companies. This is done through in-depth interviews with managers who are responsible for animal welfare policy. We present a model for explaining differences between companies, expressing that ‘leadership’, ‘partnership’, and ‘championship’ are crucial to a positive change for animals. By strengthening these phenomena, all stakeholders can accelerate the change toward a more widely felt corporate responsibility towards animals.

Keywords: CSR, Business Ethics, Animal Ethics, Animal Welfare, Responsibility, Managers, Ethics, Leadership, Partnership

JEL Classification: M5