University of Vaasa - Vaasan yliopisto

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not a leader any more, as far as business size is concerned, but a follower. However,
in the development other branches of empowering the world’s poor to end poverty,
Grameen Family of Enterprises is still a leader.
The Responsible Leadership Identities of The Body Shop and Grameen Bank
There are similarities and differences between the responsible leadership identities of
The Body Shop and Grameen Bank. The value basis of both companies is to
empower poor people by giving them a chance to earn their living by becoming
entrepreneurs – The Body Shop through communal trading, Grameen Bank through
micro credits for entrepreneurial investments. In addition, The Body Shop pays
special attention to protecting the environment in all of its operations; Grameen
Bank’s micro credits may indirectly protect the environment, if they enable the
earning of one’s living without exploiting nature or investments in renewable energy.
The self-images of both companies have been attacked by criticisms that portray
irresponsible external images, but both companies have survived the attacks. Yet a
question remains about a fundamental aspect of each company: The Body Shop’s
trivial line of business and Grameen Bank’s high interest rates.
The time perspective of both companies is twofold, but in opposite ways: The Body
Shop aims at profits, but not at the expense of environmental or socio-cultural
responsibility; Grameen Bank aims at socio-cultural responsibility, eradicating
poverty through empowerment, but does not shy away from making profits. These
companies have shown how to integrate socio-cultural and profit goals into
responsible business. Both companies grew rapidly into large companies and have
been successful in their both goals for more than 30 years. They took risks at the
beginning of their operations but soon their anticipation of achievement turned into
success because each of them answered a need in society other companies had not
answered.
Both The Body Shop and Grameen Bank have been actively experimenting roles by
inventing very creatively new responsible initiatives over the years and decades.
They have been pioneers in these endeavours, and when others have copied them,
they have created yet new ways of responsible behaviour in cooperation with a
variety of organizations, both companies and governmental and non-governmental
organizations. Hence The Body Shop and Grameen Bank have maintained their
leadership by turning it always to other opportunities even before they have become
followers in their established lines of operations.
If individuals and organizations can become responsible leaders, then why not states
as well?