TuesdayNov 9 at 9:13pm
Manage Discussion EntrySustainability in business goes beyond the environment and also encompasses the organization’s own internal business practices. Similar to how a business model can be sustainable and profitable, same goes for the environment. A company that depletes the environment’s resources without attempting to replenish those or other resources is one that is not sustainable in the long run. The business model that wears out the environment cannot be sustained, and therefore the business model needs to evolve. This is a managerial concern because sustainability of the business is inseparable from environmental sustainability (Demjanovicova & Varmus, 2021). Environmental sustainability is viewed as one of a business’ major concerns. It is directly linked to customers by ensuring the products and services can continue being offered because the materials will be available (Demjanovicova & Varmus, 2021). However, statistically there is a disconnect in some businesses who are not sufficiently engaged in these practices.
In terms of moral obligation and responsibility, some businesses feel connected to that mission while others do not. Depending on industry, they may be more or less compelled to respond to their moral obligations. Some companies like Appalachian Wildlife Refuge has set up a donation center with an address where people can send in their used make-up tools (e.g. mascara wands) that can be used to clean wildlife. This secondary purpose is not uncommon to businesses that follow their moral compass and aim to reduce waste. While not legally held accountable, these businesses feel this sense of responsibility for promoting sustainable business practices. Industries and nations are directly and indirectly impacted by the climate and environment (Gohar & Indulska, 2020). Sustainability is a principle of mindful and continual growth, with a focus on improved living.
The UN forced leaders to agree to increase their efforts in tackling climate change (Gohar & Indulska, 2020). This is increasingly becoming a global effort, and businesses will soon not be able to ignore these responsibilities.
Demjanovicova, M., & Varmus, M. (2021). Changing the perception of business values in the perspective of environmental sustainability.Sustainability, 13(9), 1-18.https://doi.org/10.3390/su13095226(Links to an external site.)
Gohar, S. R., & Indulska, M. (2020). Environmental sustainability through green business process management.Australasian Journal of Information Systems, 24(1), 1-29.
5:49pmNov 11 at 5:49pm
Manage Discussion EntryCorporations and more so those that conduct manufacturing operations and release the effluent into the environment have a responsibility towards environmental protection. They are not only mandated by the environmental protection agency but by ethical responsibility to ensure that the environment around where they conduct business is kept clean and free from pollution. Most companies use trucks to transport their products to various destinations and those trucks are responsible for the air pollution that is experienced in many cities. Organizations should come up with a way of reducing those carbon emissions that are released by the big rigs into the air.
In addition to pollution preventive measures, organizations have a duty of ensuring that all their products and whatever is left of them after use are not causes of pollution that lead to mountains of waste on landfills. Electronics companies are mostly criticized because of the electronic waste that does not decompose and most of them have taken the initiative to recycle and trade in older electronics for newer ones as a way of practicing environmental protection by avoiding pollution. For those companies that can produce decomposable packaging, efforts are mainly aimed at getting material that decomposes easily to ensure that the environment is not affected by the waste after the use of a company's products.
Thelaxity in environmental regulation in some emerging world countries where corporations establish factories or plants entitles these corporations to manufacture or produce products in ways that would be disallowed in the U.S. or European Union. This is mainly because the companies do not want to scare away the major organizations because they create jobs. The countries also consider the revenue generated within the country by those major organizations so they ignore the pollution and enjoy the benefits such as economic growth. Some companies also bribe government officials so that they cannot be fined for pollution (Mujtaba & Cavico, 2013).
Reference
Mujtaba, B. G., & Cavico, F. J. (2013). Corporate social responsibility and sustainability model for global firms.Journal of Leadership, Accountability and Ethics, 10(1), 58-75.