Beauty and the Beast: Proctor & Gamble's SK-II Incidents

Gail Whiteman, Barbara Krug, Tao Yue

Research output: Memorandum/expositionTeaching caseAcademic

Abstract

SK-II is an exemplary case for demonstrating the power of institutional dynamics on foreign firm legitimacy even though the SK-II crises may, at first glance, appear to be a somewhat trivial case about the ugly side of beauty products (and the possible existence of toxic metals in skin care creams.) The case illustrates how Chinese institutions allow state agencies to actively resist “foreign” products by presenting test results in negative ways. It shows that institutions matter – a firm’s CSR legitimacy is actively shaped by institutional dynamics beyond its control and immediate sphere of reference.
Original languageEnglish
Number of pages16
Project No.712-036-1
Publication statusPublished - 2012

Publication series

SeriesRSM Case Development Centre
Number712-036-1

Bibliographical note

Based on published sources; 16 pages. Follow the 'handle' link to access the Case Study on RePub. For EUR staff members: the Teaching Note is available on request, you can contact us at rsm.nl/cdc/contact/ For external users: follow the link to purchase the Case Study and the Teaching Note.

Series

  • RSM Case Development Centre

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