How to Become a Sustainable Company, Robert G. E, Kathleen M. P. & George S. Management Review, Vol. 53, issue 4, 2012.
About the article
The article is focuses on sustainability of organizations and supporting concepts and principles. Acceptance and implementation of sustainability practices by organization have increased significantly globally over the last 2 decades. Application of sustainability practices have been witnessed in both governmental and private institutions, and non-governmental organizations and movements. The increased implementation of sustainability management strategies has been propelled by the benefits the concept brings with it and the potential of sustainable organizations as explained by research studies. Stakeholders and community are more attracted to organizations which embrace sustainability than those which are only focused on short term profit maximizations. Sustainability starts with leadership of the organization as the leadership is the body responsible for the success of the organization; short-term and long term.
Main Article Aim
The article explains the role of leadership in adoption and implementation of sustainability into their strategic plan. Implementation requires certain factors that must be met by the organization for its success. Stakeholders are required to be involved in the process to support it and provide necessary resources require before, during and after implementation of sustainability management practices. It is
When talking about sustainability numerous people associate it with just protecting the environment. Sustainability is far more than going green, but it is a principle that many companies have adopted and have worked persistently to improve over the last several years. Sustainability is defined as the ability to continue a behavior indeterminately, but it also includes improving human life overall. Sustainable development is broken down into three pillars: economic, social, and environmental (Harich & Bangerter, 2014). Economics is the study of how people use resources, which correlates to the goal of sustainable development by using resources to their full potential (Laszlo, C., & Zhexembayeva, N., 2011, p. 60). Economic sustainable development allows companies to give their customers what they want without overusing mutual resources. Social development combines the social world with the physical realm to provide a good quality of life (Benoit, 2010, p. 7). Social sustainability focuses on the well-being of people and their communities. Environmental development, the most recognizable, includes protecting the environment by reducing pollution, recycling, switching of electronic devices when not in use, etc. All three of these pillars make up what is known as sustainable development. In this paper, I researched a company and their involvement in sustainability and how it applies to the
Although there is no formal definition for the term, individuals have tried to define sustainability according to their function or area of study. The term “sustainability,” once an obscure ecological concept, has now been adopted by many in the business world to connote the principles of social and environmental responsibility (Joseph Fiksel, Jonathan Low and Jim Thomas). Further, sustainability can be seen through the eyes of business as a way to create value. More likely than not, the term sustainability can be linked to the ability of decreasing costs, wastes and inefficiencies. According to the vice president of General Electric,
The analysis will focus on some key aspects such as; the overall plan, products/services sustainability, human resource relations, customer’s relations, environmental concerns, and the company social responsibility to the company. Descriptive analysis will help appraise of the company’s sustainability strategy. The critical analysis of the company’s sustainability will help in coming up with conclusions about sustainability of the strategy, and give insights on how the company can improve its sustainability strategy. There are also various recommendations based on these conclusions (Heslin and Ochoa 2008).
Many firms are learning that being environmentally friendly and sustainable has numerous benefits. (O.C Ferrell, Fraedrich, Ferrell, 2015). This could enable them to increase goodwill from various stakeholders and also save money in the long term. This will mean that they are being more efficient and less wasteful of resources, which will enable them to be more competitive by satisfying stakeholders. The CEO of
Bertrand Piccard quotes, “In the 21st century, the heroes will be the people who will improve the quality of life, fight poverty and introduce more sustainability. This is a powerful message, it sums up the concepts discussed throughout the course. Additionally, the case studies such as the New Belgium Brewery, SC Johnson and The Kimberly Clarke organization have been proven to practice this philosophy. As society progresses in its efforts to provide a more sustainable future, there is a fundamental foundation of principles that must be followed to ensure success. Sustainable business development takes into account the application of business operations as it relates to the three pillars of sustainability, which is a dynamic yet integrative place to begin this journey. DesJardins, (2006) calls for a re-imagination of the future to create a vibrant sustainable model; which forms similar beliefs to Piccard. In addition, organizations are more inclined to create sustainable practices based on consumer demand and the willingness of leadership to participate in sustainability programs.
Its value and longevity are connected to its ability to contribute to the evolution of society and its sustainable development,” (Balestrero & Udo, 2014, p. 78). As HP highlights, organizational sustainability is made possible through all sizes of changes, even down to the efficiency of real estate office
You will assess the “sustainability” of the changes which occurred in the companies you studied. Select ONE of the company change programs for your answer to this question and state it here. Assess the change project. Was it successful or unsuccessful in your opinion? What will it take (what are some steps the company can, should, or DID take) to make it SUSTAINABLE? What theories did you consider in coming to this conclusion? Do you think this change will still be in place in one, five, or ten years? Why or why not?(Points : 35)
This essay throws light on the impact of leadership in creating a sustainable future. It brings out a clear analysis of the relation between the leadership principles and the governance of the company. Sustainability has been the central focus of several organizations. The responsibility towards the stakeholders and corporate greening has emerged as an important faced of the organization decisions. Shareholders, investors and consumers are the main factors which influence the decision making at different levels. Leaders are the striving force of the organization but the principles formulated are collectively formulated by the work force which would help achieve sustainability. Leadership helps structure the organization in the path of achievement of the goals.
The greatest challenge faced by many organizations today and especially the labour intensive industries is ensuring there is a sustainable
Sustainability has become a great topic of interest in many arenas. Particularly, leading organizations are recognizing sustainability needs to be an essential aspect of their long term strategies. With this recognition, better business practices are being sought by investors as well as sustainability is becoming a driving force for better efficiencies and innovation. Two organizations, Wal-Mart and Starbucks, have both took on sustainability as long term initiatives to address their customer needs and affect how their suppliers operate.
Sustainability implies that the organization is managing in economic, ecological and socially competent ways. All organizations range on a continuum of their sustainability level with some being more sustainable than others. Generally, as Dunphy, Griffiths and Benn (Module One, Topic 1.5) point out, the more sustainable an organization is, the more they help the surrounding environment, be this local (the particular country) or macro (the world itself). The environment also reflects the sustainability ethos and situation of the organization itself.
Corporate sustainability is the capacity of a business to operate for long-term by creating shareholder value and managing risks derived from economic, environmental and social developments. For this purpose, companies need an appropriate system for the evaluation and measurement of their own performance towards stakeholders and for the communication of results achieved. According to Perrini & Tencati (2006), a company can creates value if it adopts managerial approach based on sustainability. It means that a company should not only consider and creates relationship with its shareholders, employees and clients but also creates relationship with suppliers, local communities, authorities and civil societies.
As mention above, TBL not only focusing on the financial return from its investments, financing activities and operating activities but also the environment and social value they has been added/destroyed. It’s considered as successful guideline for organizations which are expected to participate in ethical dialogue with stakeholders to make business decision that will benefit the economy as well as society improvements and planet.
Sustainability when we try to understand in the context of corporate is recognizing that the corporation’s long
3. Thomas L. Wheelen & J. David Hunger. 2012. Strategic Management and Business Policy Toward Global Sustainability. Thirteenth edition. Pearson Education