Collaboration

Question 1

describe Unilever and collaboration in Kenya

Answer 1

Kenya

• works with KDTA (highly respected, local knowledge),
• ->helps with informal communication, does microfinancing
• works with IDH (does microfinancing)
• Kenyan tea development agency with all the individual smallholders
• Similar laws and social structures
• With more partners you can understand the needs of the community better. This also benefits the health and well-being of the partners

Partners

• KTDA (Kenyan Tea Development Agency)
• IDH
• designed the “train the trainer” program

“Good” Partnership
- reciprocal relationships

Partner Benefits
- adapting to local contexts/needs/social structures can give the corp. an image of reliability/trustworthiness in the eyes of the smallholders

Question 2

describe unilever and collaboration in India

Answer 2

RA=rainforest alliance

• Difficult because of differences in societal structure, so they must introduce an alternative standard tailored future certification increase in income and overall health
• These factors aren’t seen in India because of the difficulties from cultural differences
• Maybe not the RA in particular, but it would be helpful to establish a different certification in order track progress in India
• Sustainable Chain Possibility
• ->it’s definitely possible, but that doesn’t mean it will necessarily align with the RA’s perspective
• ->does not have tea cooperatives –> helped to streamline process faster and more efficiently in Kenya

Question 3

differentiation for unilever and tea (Rainforest alliance certification)

Answer 3

It may make a small difference to environmentally conscious consumers, but most people don’t know enough about certifications to care

Advantages: customers may choose Lipton because it’s RA certified, but not necessarily

Disadvantages: expensive, difficult to meet all the requirements

Question 4

Unilever and risk management

Answer 4

It is necessary to change the entire supply chain system to ensure that every input is sustainable.

• Lipton is positioned fairly low on the quality scale of tea, but they have high-availability and low cost
• Wanted a company that improve the health and the well-being of their customers/producer
• To survive and prosper in a long-term perspective – wanted to adapt their business model servant to society and the environment
• Worked with institutions to train the trainers, which allowed information and practices to diffuse. Then evaluated smallholders.