Center for Social Innovation

Published: August 05, 2013 Download  46 minutes,

Being sustainable at the core requires corporate social responsibility that thinks beyond just good works. In this audio lecture, Coca Cola Chief Administrative Officer, Alex Cummings, shares his company's experience applying environmental sustainability as an essential element to sustainable business. Mr. Cummings relates how Coca Cola aims to double its business in a decade through social entrepreneurship. He describes how they are employing social enterprise to improve packaging and supply chain logistics. They use organic material in plastic bottles and empowering one-woman distribution companies in rural Africa. In this Social Innovation Conversations, Stanford University podcast, Cummings describes how, instead of philanthropic giving, strategic partnerships are used to strengthen corporate citizenship in local communities. Coca-Cola uses renewable resources and recycling projects to enhance environmental sustainability and international development.

Alexander B. Cummings is Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of The Coca-Cola Company. The CAO structure consolidates key global corporate functions to effectively support business operations. These functions support five operating groups with presence in over 200 countries.  Mr. Cummings joined The Coca-Cola Company in 1997 as Region Manager, Nigeria. In 2000, he was named President of the North & West Africa Division. In March 2001, he became President and Chief Operating Officer of the Africa Group, responsible for operations in Africa. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Cummings held several positions with The Pillsbury Company in the U.S.