Managing a social (ir)responsibility crisis : the case of Ferrero and the palm oil issue

Crisis management communication represents a challenging concern for today’s organizations. A single episode of negative brand publicity can lead to crucial damages to the constituents, troubles for the entity, as well as threats to its reputation, leading it to their very existence end. Increasingly number of academics identify the brand reputational status as relevant influencer factor in all business’ aspects. Indeed, brand reputation is the base for all organizations to be successful. This thesis builds on the brand crisis management theories to analyze how Ferrero, one of the largest confectionary companies worldwide, faces and overcome the palm oil scandals, which recently represented its greater threat, improving both profits and reputation. Moreover, this work can be applied as a managerial case study in classes such as Corporate Social Responsibility, Business Ethics, Crisis Management Communication, Management Consulting. Along this thesis, some crisis characteristics and consumers’ reactions are analyzed, as well as the major strategic crisis responses, thanks to an accurate Literature Review. After pursuing a qualitative research on Ferrero, I identify the main reasons why the company could successfully overcome the crisis. Finally, some alternative response solutions are explored.A gestão da crise é uma função vital para as organizações. O seu insucesso pode resultar em sérios danos para os parceiros, perdas para a empresa, e em ameaças à reputação da organização. Sempre mais empresas e figuras da academia reconhecem que o estado da reputação de uma marca tem impactos consideráveis em todos os aspetos do negócio. Efetivamente, a reputação da marca é um fator-chave para que as empresas vençam em termos competitivos. A presente tese assenta nas teorias de gestão de crise das marcas para analisar de que modo a Ferrero, enfrenta os escândalos relacionados com o óleo de palma, melhorando quer os seus lucros quer a sua reputação. Adicionalmente, a tese poderá ser aplicada por professores da instituição universitária como um estudo de caso em gestão para unidades curriculares que abordem a Responsabilidade Social das Organizações, Ética nas Empresas, Comunicação na Gestão de Crises, e Consultoria de Gestão. Neste trabalho, são também analisadas algumas características da crise e reações dos consumidores, bem como as principais estratégias de resposta a crises, graças a uma revisão da literatura detalhada. Após a condução de uma investigação qualitativa, são identificadas as principais razões pelas quais a entidade pôde ultrapassar esta crise com sucesso. Finalmente, são exploradas algumas soluções alternativas para a situação em questão

In situ U-Pb Dating Combined with SEM Imaging on Zircon — An Analytical Bond for Effective Geological Recontructions

In situ U-Pb dating combined with SEM images on zircon crystals represent a powerful tool to reconstruct metamorphic and magmatic evolution of basements recording a long and complex geological history [1-3]. The development of high spatial and mass resolution microprobes (e.g., LA-ICP-MS, SIMS, SHRIMP) allows in-situ measurements of U–Pb ages in micro domains smaller than 30-50 microns [4, 5]. The growth of zircon crystals, evidenced by their internal microtextures, can be easily revealed by SEM imaging by Cathodoluminescence (CL) and Variable Pressure Secondary Electrons (VPSE) detectors on separated grains or in situ within a polished thin rock section [6,4,7]. Therefore it is possible to date different domains of single crystals, which may record magmatic or metamorphic events of the rock’s geological history [8,4]. In acidic magmatic rocks abundant zircon crystals provide precise age data about magma emplacement and origin of source indicating the geodynamic context and the pertinence of terranes forming the continental crust

Relationship between visuospatial attention and paw preference in dogs

The relationship between visuospatial attention and paw preference was investigated in domestic dogs. Visuospatial attention was evaluated using a food detection task that closely matches the so-called "cancellation" task used in human studies. Paw preference was estimated by quantifying the dog's use of forepaws to hold a puzzle feeder device (namely the "Kong") while eating its content. Results clearly revealed a strong relationship between visuospatial attention bias and motor laterality, with a left-visuospatial bias in the left-pawed group, a right-visuospatial bias in the right-pawed group and with the absence of significant visuospatial attention bias in ambi-pawed subjects. The current findings are the first evidence for the presence of a relationship between motor lateralization and visuospatial attentional mechanisms in a mammal species besides humans

Consistent Technique Limits Suspension Laryngoscopy Complications

ntroduction Suspension laryngoscopy (SL) is a commonly performed procedure among otolaryngologists. Several studies have shown that adverse effects occur regularly with SL. Objective To evaluate the postoperative complications of SL, and to determine if protecting the dentition and the oral mucosa and limiting suspension times decrease the overall incidence of oral cavity and pharyngeal complications of SL. Methods All of the cases of SL performed by 1 surgeon from November 2008 through September 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. A consistent technique for dental and mucosal protection was utilized, and suspension times were strictly limited to 30 consecutive minutes. The incidence of postoperative complications was calculated and analyzed with respect to gender, smoking status, dentition, laryngoscope type, and suspension system. Results A total of 213 consecutive SL cases were reviewed, including 174 patients (94 male, 80 female). The overall postoperative complication rate was of 3.8%. Four patients experienced tongue-related complications, two experienced oral mucosal alterations, one had a dental injury, and one experienced a minor facial burn. The complication incidence was greater with the Zeitels system (12.5%) compared with the Lewy suspension system (3.3%), although it was not significant (p = 0.4). Likewise, the association of complications with other patient factors was not statistically significant. Conclusion Only 8 out of 213 cases in the present series experienced complications, which is significantly less than the complication rates observed in other reports. Consistent and conscientious protection of the dentition and of the oral mucosa and limiting suspension times to 30 minutes are factors unique to our series that appear to reduce complications in endolaryngeal surgery

Tumor Location in the Head/Uncinate Process and Presence of Fibrosis Impair the Adequacy of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Tissue Acquisition of Solid Pancreatic Tumors

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided tissue acquisition (EUS-TA) of solid pancreatic tumors shows optimal specificity despite fair sensitivity, with an overall suboptimal diagnostic yield. We aim to quantify the adequacy and accuracy of EUS-TA and assess predictive factors for success, focusing on the presence and degree of specimen fibrosis. All consecutive EUS-TA procedures were retrieved, and the specimens were graded for sample adequacy and fibrosis. The results were evaluated according to patients’ and tumor characteristics and the EUS-TA technique. In total, 407 patients (59% male, 70 [63–77] year old) were included; sample adequacy and diagnostic accuracy were 90.2% and 94.7%, respectively. Fibrosis was significantly more represented in tumors located in the head/uncinate process (p = 0.001). Tumor location in the head/uncinate (OR 0.37 [0.14–0.99]), number of needle passes ≥ 3 (OR 4.53 [2.22–9.28]), and the use of cell block (OR 8.82 [3.23–23.8]) were independently related to adequacy. Severe fibrosis was independently related to false negative results (OR 8.37 [2.33–30.0]). Pancreatic tumors located in the head/uncinate process showed higher fibrosis, resulting in EUS-TA with lower sample adequacy and diagnostic accuracy. We maintain that three or more needle passes and cell block should be done to increase the diagnostic yield

Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in Cultivated Soils from Lombardy (Northern Italy): Spatial Distribution, Origin, and Management Implications

This work aims to quantify the contribution of agricultural practices to diffuse pollution in cultivated soils. Two samples (the first from the top layer and the second from a depth of about 100 cm) were retrieved from about 1000 soil profiles and analyzed for their potentially toxic elements (PTEs) content (Cd, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn). In addition, we collected dedicated soil profiles for three specific types of land use and agronomic practice, namely vine-, cereal- and rice-growing areas. Baseline concentrations and distribution maps were produced. Statistical data treatment, coupled with the results of the dedicated soil profiles, enabled the identification of precise pollution sources and processes. In cultivated soils, PTEs contents prove to be generally well below the Italian regulatory limits, with the exception of Cu in vineyard soils, due to the long-lasting use of Cu-based pesticides. South of Milan and in other urban areas, we attribute the top soil enrichment in Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn to industrial activities and urban settlement. Ni sporadically exceeds regulatory standards, but its association with Mn and its depth distribution point to a natural origin, mostly due to the occurrence of serpentine. The project demonstrates that although agriculture, especially in the form of vineyards and of intensive cultivation, certainly contributes to pollution, such contribution is exceeded by that deriving from industry and road traffic

Late-Proterozoic to Paleozoic history of the peri-Gondwana Calabria–Peloritani Terrane inferred from a review of zircon chronology

U–Pb analyses of zircon from ten samples of augen gneisses, eight mafic and intermediate metaigneous rocks and six metasediments from some tectonic domains along the Calabria–Peloritani Terrane (Southern Italy) contribute to knowledge of peri-Gondwanan evolution from Late-Proterozoic to Paleozoic times. All samples were equilibrated under amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphism during the Variscan orogeny. The zircon grains of all considered samples preserve a Proterozoic memory suggestive of detrital, metamorphic and igneous origin. The available data fit a frame involving: (1) Neoproterozoic detrital input from cratonic areas of Gondwana; (2) Pan-African/Cadomian assemblage of blocks derived from East and West African Craton; (3) metamorphism and bimodal magmatism between 535 and 579 Ma, within an active margin setting; (4) rifting and opening of Ordovician basins fed by detrital input from the assembled Cadomian blocks. The Paleozoic basins evolved through sedimentation, metamorphism and magmatism during the Variscan orogeny involving Palaeozoic and pre-Paleozoic blocks. The Proterozoic zircon records decidedly decrease in the high grade metamorphic rocks affected by Variscan pervasive partial melting. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40064-016-1839-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users