Project title
Environmental issues with Global Business
thsis Project title Environmental issues with Global Business Project summary 1. Proposed Activity
The proposed research will investigate the environmental impacts of global business practices, focusing on how multinational corporations contribute to environmental degradation and the effectiveness of their sustainability initiatives. The study will also examine the regulatory frameworks that govern these activities and assess their adequacy in mitigating environmental harm. 2. Aims
The aim of this dissertation is to critically analyze the environmental impacts of global business practices and assess the effectiveness of current strategies and regulations in promoting sustainable business operations. 3. Objectives
To identify and categorize the primary environmental issues associated with global business operations, including pollution, resource depletion, and carbon emissions.
To evaluate the sustainability initiatives implemented by multinational corporations and their impact on reducing environmental harm.
To analyze the role of international regulations and agreements in shaping environmentally responsible business practices.
To explore case studies of companies that have successfully integrated environmental sustainability into their global operations. 4. Research Question(s)
What are the most significant environmental issues associated with global business practices?
How effective are multinational corporations in implementing sustainability initiatives to mitigate their environmental impact? What role do international regulations play in ensuring environmentally responsible global business practices?
What lessons can be learned from companies that have successfully integrated environmental sustainability into their global operations? 5. Novelty
This dissertation is novel in its comprehensive analysis of environmental issues across different sectors of global business, rather than focusing on a single industry. It uniquely combines an evaluation of corporate sustainability initiatives with an assessment of international regulatory frameworks, offering a dual perspective on the effectiveness of both corporate and governmental actions in addressing environmental challenges. Additionally, the research will incorporate recent case studies post-2020, reflecting the evolving nature of global business and environmental strategies in the wake of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Research method 1. Rationale
This dissertation examines the environmental practices of multinational corporations (MNCs) in the context of global environmental health. MNCs, due to their scale, cross-border operations, and complex supply chains, contribute significantly to environmental degradation but also drive sustainability innovation. The growing importance of corporate environmental accountability is evident in the rise of environmental regulations, consumer demand for sustainability, and climate change threats. Secondary data analysis is crucial for understanding these issues, as it provides valuable insights into real-world practices and policies. The study also aims to explore the gap between rhetoric and reality in corporate sustainability, focusing on greenwashing. The findings can influence policy and business strategy, helping policymakers design more effective regulatory frameworks and businesses to improve their sustainability efforts, contributing to a more environmentally responsible global economy. 2. Data Selection and Collection
Data for this research will be gathered from secondary sources. These secondary data sources will include publicly available environmental reports, sustainability disclosures, and regulatory documents. The sample will consist of multinational corporations operating across diverse industries, ensuring a broad representation of practices and compliance across different sectors. By leveraging these existing documents, the study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of corporate sustainability efforts and their alignment with environmental standards. 3. Recruitment
This research will use secondary data from publicly available documents of multinational corporations operating in various industries, including environmental reports, sustainability disclosures, regulatory filings, and CSR reports. Companies will be selected based on size, global presence, and detailed environmental data availability. The sample will include businesses from different industries and regions, ensuring a diverse representation of environmental practices and policies. The selection process will focus on corporations recognized for their global impact or leadership in sustainability initiatives, capturing a broad spectrum of environmental issues related to global business. 4. Participant Demographics
This research will use secondary data from a variety of multinational corporations across various industries to analyze environmental issues in global business. Key demographic variables include industry, geographic presence, company size, and sustainability practices. Companies from manufacturing, technology, energy, consumer goods, and transportation will be examined. Geographic presence will be considered to reflect environmental practices in different regions. Both large and medium-sized businesses will be included to analyze environmental practices across different resources and influence. The sample will include industry leaders in sustainability and those facing criticism for their environmental impact. This selection ensures a comprehensive analysis of environmental issues affecting global business and the diverse approaches companies take towards sustainability. 5. Analytical Process
This research will use a systematic approach to analyze environmental issues in global business. Data will be collected from corporate environmental reports, sustainability disclosures, CSR reports, and regulatory filings from multinational corporations. The data will be organized based on key themes such as greenhouse gas emissions, waste management, energy use, water conservation, and biodiversity impact. Qualitative content analysis will identify patterns, trends, and recurring themes in corporate reports. Comparative analysis will be performed across industries, regions, and company sizes to evaluate different Research data management plan 1. Data Acquisition and Generation
This project will gather data from publicly available secondary sources, including corporate environmental reports, sustainability disclosures, regulatory and compliance documents, industry reports, and third-party evaluations. The data will include both qualitative and quantitative elements, providing a comprehensive analysis of environmental issues in global business. The data will include sustainability efforts, strategies, and challenges, as well as carbon emissions, energy use, water consumption, and waste management. 2. Data Management
This document describes the organization and data organization of environmental data. Qualitative data includes descriptive information on environmental strategies and challenges faced by businesses, often found in corporate reports and regulatory filings. Quantitative data includes measurable indicators like carbon footprint, energy consumption, water use, waste output, and progress towards sustainability targets. The data will be organized into hierarchical folders based on industry, region, and company, with subfolders categorizing documents by type and year of publication. Data will be coded according to specific environmental themes and tagged for easy analysis. A spreadsheet or database software will be used to store extracted data. 3. Data Analysis
Thematic coding will be used to analyze sustainability strategies and challenges reported by multinational corporations (MNCs) by identifying key themes. Content analysis will be conducted to identify recurring environmental practices and potential issues like greenwashing. Quantitative analysis will be conducted by statistically comparing data across industries, regions, and time periods to identify trends and best practices. Benchmarking against international standards will assess compliance and progress. Visualization will be used to visually represent quantitative data, facilitating comparison between companies and industries. This comprehensive approach will help identify trends and best practices in sustainability. 4. Data Storage and Security
Data storage and security are crucial aspects of research. Primary data will be stored in a secure cloud-based repository, such as Google Drive or Dropbox, for easy access and regular backups. A secondary backup will be maintained on an external hard drive or cloud service to prevent data loss. File formats will be accepted, such as PDF for documents, CSV or Excel for databases, and Word for qualitative notes and analysis. Access to the repository will be restricted to authorized users, and sensitive documents, especially those from third-party databases with licensing restrictions, will be encrypted to prevent unauthorized access. 5. Data Sharing and Preservation
The research data will be primarily sourced from publicly available documents, such as corporate reports and regulatory filings, ensuring minimal restrictions for sharing. However, aggregated results or summaries will be shared for third-party licensed data. Findings will be shared in academic publications, reports, and presentations, ensuring accessibility to other researchers. The final dataset and accompanying materials will be archived in an institutional repository for long-term preservation. Data sources will be properly cited and metadata provided for future researchers. Ethical and legal considerations include proper attribution of data to original creators, confidentiality of sensitive information, and no Secondary Please provide details secondary Project management personal data inclusion in the analysis. References 1. Books
2. Journal Articles
3. Reports
4. Chapters in Edited Books
5. Websites
6. Corporate Documents (e.g., Sustainability Reports) 7. Conference Papers
8. Government Publications
9. Theses and Dissertations Desired outcomes 1. Planned Outputs
This section should outline the tangible products of your research, including publications, reports, and any other deliverables. 2. Planned Publications
Detail the specific journals or outlets where you intend to submit your research for publication. 3. Research Datasets
This section should describe the datasets that will be created during your research and how they will be managed and shared. 4. Impact
Discuss the potential academic, societal, and practical impact of your research. 5. Dissemination
Outline the strategies you will use to share your research findings with different audiences.