Exam II
Name: Kaitlynn Poston
Answer each question as completely as possible. Each question is worth 10 points for a total of 50 points. The exam is due in the dropbox by noon on Wednesday so I will have time to grade it before the grade reporting deadline.
1. On worksheet #3 you were asked to make the business case for sustainability. Businesses are concerned about making more profit and be more profitable into the future. The items listed on the sustainability PowerPoint could be broken into three categories: cost reduction, increased worker productivity, enhanced market share. Make the business case for sustainability in the light of these three categories. How does each of these fit into the triple bottom line (3BL)?
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The triple bottom line concept has changed the way businesses measure sustainability and the performance of policies. The flexibility of the triple bottom line concept also allows businesses to apply the concept in a way that is most beneficial to their specific needs. It can also improve more than just a business’s financial line, it can improve the way people treat others within an organization as well as reduce their negative impact on the environment.
The business case for sustainability is to try and prove that while decreasing a company’s environmental impact, they are in turn increasing their social impact, as well as their profits. The goal of the business case for sustainability is to enhance profits, comply with regulations, avoid future litigation, reduce resource use, reduce the waste stream, reduce energy use, increase customer satisfaction, increase employee satisfaction, and the good will of the community. In the past, destroying and polluting may have been good for business and the profit bottom line. But today, businesses that are “going green,” can save producers money and also be popular with consumers. With the growing demand for 'green ' products, major new markets have been created in which eco-entrepreneurs are reaping the benefits. Companies known for proactive policies that support environmental regulations are often positively recognized by customers, employees, regulators, the media and others. Because of their
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
Sustainability from a strategic business perspective is the potential for the long-term well-being of the natural environment, including all biological entities, as mutually beneficial interactions among nature and individuals, organizations, and business strategies. (O.C Ferrell, Fraedrich, Ferrell, 2015). Business sustainably is often defined as managing the triple bottom line – a process by which companies manage their financial, social and environmental risks, obligations and opportunities. These three impacts are sometimes referred to as profits, people and planet. (Business sustainability definition from financial times lexicon, no date). This essay will discuss the idea of sustainability being an important element within a businesses and its core strategies and the importance of it within different businesses. Secondly, this study will look at how different stakeholders are affected and influenced by sustainability as this could be seen as a catalyst to improving the environment as a whole and. Then this study will look at how businesses not focusing
Triple Bottom Line accounting brings light to the importance of accounting for Environmental measures, as it helps a company track their ecological footprint and make plans to improve it. A company can be profitable for several years, however if
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.
According to the textbook, the triple bottom line is known as the people, planet and profit that measures an organization’s social, environmental and financial performance. The Chief Financial Officer at UPS stated that his approach is established in two beliefs “that companies have a responsibility to contribute to society and the environment, and that every investment a company makes should return value to the business.” The company has a responsibility to help the society and concern about the environment with the objective of gaining profit. UPS has established a five-step approach toward sustainability that will balance the needs of various elements. Therefore, one is too assessing your strengths, which will offer to make a major effect
Business sustainability is achieved when the business successfully manages the triple bottom line. This is the process of managing the financial, social and environmental risk that a certain business will face. The consequences of business sustainability are not only the long-term success of the company but also that it becomes an appealing opportunity for potential investors as sustainability is rapidly becoming an increasingly vital component of any business.
After reading the course resources, answer questions 1-10. (10 points each) Please take time to answer each question completely.
TBL is a sustainable model for business that balances financial success, community participation together with ecological sustainability. The firm which employs triple bottom line towards capturing the set significances, processes as well as issues of the company might decrease and determine whichever harms resulting from company’s operations then create economic, social as well as environmental values of that the company. The model typically outlines that everything is supposed to taken into account that needs of the company 's shareholders, employees, stakeholders, governments, clients, business partners, local communities together with the entire public. Reporting through Triple bottom line (TBL) is currently turning out to be more ordinarily used across several sectors within
This is usually in reference to the resources of our environment so that future generations will be able to live like we have. In terms of business, sustainability can be defined as having minimal negative impact on the global or local environment, community, society, or economy. The triple bottom line is a framework, or measure, of sustainability made up of three parts: social, environmental, and financial. These three divisions are also referred to as the three P’s: people, planet, and profit and in turn are the three pillars of sustainability. The idea behind the triple bottom line concept is that companies are primarily responsible to all of their stakeholders, including everyone involved directly or indirectly with the company, as well as this planet. The triple bottom line concept is an improvement in the strategy plans of a manager over the old concept of a single bottom line for a few reasons. The triple bottom line concept has changed the way businesses measure sustainability and the performance of policies. The flexibility of the triple bottom line concept also allows businesses to apply the concept in a way that is most beneficial to their specific needs. It can also improve more than just a business’s financial line, it can improve the way people treat others within an organization as well as reduce their
Better World Books(BWB) is a company understands that business success is not only measured by its profit, for them people and the planet also matter. Therefore, BWB follows a triple bottom line model which allow to evaluate its performance better. The article states that the first pillar is the traditional economic value, which is measured through accounting and financial tools. The second pillar is the social commitment to the practices of the business to be promoted in the best interest of BWB’s shareholders. Lastly, the third pillar is its environmental commitment to creating a sustainable business. BWB aims to deliver and create value for its customers, employees, and shareholders. Currently, this is an efficient model for the company,
The main purposes of this talk are to share a powerful vision for sustainable commerce and business logics of sustainability.
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.
The Australian government is active in its move to promote and push for sustainable business practices, one of their more recent resolutions is the Clean Energy Legislation, which is made of individual bills covering levys on green house gases and fuel tax, this enforces corporations to oblige and making a move towards being green (Griffiths, 2012). However this means that certain organisations will do the bare minimum of what is required of them by law and nothing more. There are other initiatives in place to encourage sustainable business practices which are not legally binding, such as Sustainable Business Australia, who provide policy recommendations and resources for sustainability challenges (SBA, n.d). Companies who become members with SBA are held in high regards by their stakeholders as they abide by the recommendations regarding carbon action and resource solutions. There is also an emphasis on the people, and their crucial role in creating business value. Previously people were satisfied with just their basic needs being fulfilled, but no longer, we now see Maslow’s hierarchy of needs triangle unravelling as people require more to feel satisfied with themselves and what they do in their work space (Kiel, 1999). With encouragement from government and local communities, Australia is making an effort with great determination towards having the best sustainable business
TBL is a sustainable model for business that balances financial success, community participation together with ecological sustainability. The firm which employs triple bottom line towards capturing the set significances, processes as well as issues of the company might decrease and determine whichever harms resulting from company’s operations then create economic, social as well as environmental values of that the company. The model typically outlines that everything is supposed to taken into account that needs of the company 's shareholders, employees, stakeholders, governments, clients, business partners, local communities together with the entire public. Reporting through Triple bottom line (TBL) is currently turning
Sustainability is regarded as a goal of any business. The accounting framework, to support sustainability goal is called as the triple bottom line (TBL).It focus on performance of an organization with the interrelated dimensions of profits, people and the planet.