Perdue Farms Inc.: Antibiotic Use in Hatcheries (pdf abstract)

Purchase the full report on GlobaLens (Case study #1-429-418) – published 02/2015, 16 pages

By: Andrew Hoffman

Description: With increasing attention from consumers surrounding food safety and public health, it comes at no surprise that Perdue Farms is considering eliminating antibiotic use in its poultry operations. Perdue is positioned to receive positive responses from reducing antibiotic usage, but the question of feasibility in implementation remains as the producer had previously failed to phase-out antibiotics. From this case, students will structure argumentative thought around causes of CSR strategies and how CSR impacts business operations.

Teaching Note: Available to Registered Educators. Please login to view it.

Teaching Points: After reading and discussing this case, students should be able to:

  • Identify the root cause for pursuing a CSR initiative at a corporate level.
  • Describe how CSR strategies can provide competitive advantages.
  • Review ambiguous data to develop decisions for the feasibility of a CSR strategy
  • Articulate how a first-mover advantage may not be a sustained competitive advantage if competitors implement change nearly simultaneously.