Case Studies: Conscious Business in Germany

Abstract

The fourth chapter embodies the empirical core of the book. The case studies cover four German businesses which differ in size, ownership and industry. The GLS Bank, VAUDE, dm drogerie markt and Polarstern are assessed regarding their application of conscious business principles. The assessment is based on the insights from Chap. 2 and the research methodology from Chap. 3 to combine a holistic theoretical foundation with structures research methodologies. The companies are portrayed based on the framework from Sect. 2.7 to establish a high degree of comparable data. With reference to the individuality of each business, the case studies offer additional information beyond the research framework to best describe the respective direction of each company. Qualitative and quantitative data are combined within every case to ensure a holistic view. Based on the findings, every case summarizes the key aspects of applied conscious business principles and connects the results with insights from Chap. 2.