The benefits of pursuing a strategy of social responsibility and corporate citizenship include the positive impact such a strategy has on boosting the company's ROE and stock price, whenever the amount the company spends for socially responsible activities is above the industry average. the positive impact that such a strategy has on the company's image rating, provided the company spends a meaningful amount on socially responsible activities and such spending is sustained over a multi-year period. higher sales of branded footwear at the company's Web sites (because customers are pleased with the company's commitment to being a good corporate citizen). the boost such a strategy gives to increasing the company's global sales volume and global market share of branded footwear when the company's spending for socially responsible activities is above the industry average. the positive impact on company sales of branded footwear that occurs when a company wins one or more Gold Star Awards for Corporate Citizenship given by the World Council to Promote Exemplary Corporate Citizenship.