Dow: Breakthroughs to World Challenges

Michael E. Porter; Mark R. Kramer; Annelena  Lobb

Case | HBS Case Collection | December 2014 (Revised October 2017)

Dow: Breakthroughs to World Challenges

by Michael E. Porter, Mark R. Kramer and Annelena Lobb

Abstract

Dow had adopted the "Breakthroughs to World Challenges" (BWC) program as part of its ten-year 2015 Sustainability Goals. BWC was an internal award recognizing products that effectively addressed one of five world challenges: energy and climate change, sustainable water supply, decent affordable housing, personal health, and food supply. By late summer 2014, two products had been designated as BWCs and two others were set to be announced in the fall. Dow senior executives believed that Dow was creating shared value through its BWC products. As management began drafting the company's sustainability plan for 2015 and beyond, CEO Andrew Liveris confronted the question of whether to maintain, modify or terminate the BWC program.

Keywords: strategy; Value Creation; Strategy; Social Issues; Entrepreneurship;

Language: English

Format: Print

20 pages

Educators Purchase

Citation:

Porter, Michael E., Mark R. Kramer, and Annelena Lobb. "Dow: Breakthroughs to World Challenges." Harvard Business School Case 715-403, December 2014. (Revised October 2017.)