Reference no: EM133719785
Homework: Business Product and Company's Sustainability Presentation
What you're doing:
This homework will let you apply what we've learned about sustainability, ethics and global citizenship for industries, products and the companies that make them. You will research and assess your Homework #1 productand parent company's recent commitments to sustainable development and global citizenship, along with the those of the industry in general.
Scenario:
The new VP of Marketing is trying to understand your product and company's sustainability and global citizenship strategy and opportunities. She has asked you to prepare an honest, critical presentation about what the product, company and industry is doing to protect the planet, people and communities. She also asked you to provide some recommendations she can review.
What to assess:
1. Sustainability commitments, including environmentally responsible source materials, supply chain and production methods
2. Accepting responsibility for impacts - how does the company address its use of natural resources or waste created by its products during or after consumers use them?
3. Commitments to ethical testing, fair labour practices, living wages, employee wellbeing
4. Contributions to the communities where it makes and sells its products. For example, charitable donations, community support programs, support for the industry, etc.
5. You will find most of this information on the company website, but you are expected to go further and look for more information about company and industry activities (all properly cited, of course)
Expert Tip: Rather than simply summarizing the company's official statements, conduct a critical evaluation to determine if they are effectively fulfilling their responsibilities. Review media articles and feedback from environmental, social, and community organizations for a balanced assessment.
Task
Answer the following questions as they relate to the product, the company that makes it and the industry to which it belongs. Use 1 or 2 slides for each section.
I. Describe how the company is protecting the planet in its manufacturing, distribution, end-of-life and other impacts? As an industry, what is this sector doing to address sustainability, including climate change, carbon footprint, natural resource extraction, water use, recycling, etc.
1. Do you think the company and the industry is doing the right things? Are they acting quickly enough? What do environmental groups think? Is there evidence of greenwashing? You could try a SWOT analysis here, if you like.
2. How does it compare to competitors or other similar companies?
II. Describe how the company is protecting and respecting people. Where does it produce its products? How does it treat its employees? How does it support equity, diversity and inclusion?
1. Do you think the company treats people well? Are they doing enough? What do unions, employees, customer or social justice groups think? Is there evidence of pinkwashing?
2. How does it compare to competitors or other similar companies?
III. Describe how the company protects and supports its communities? Does it give back to the places it does business? Does it support good causes? Is it a leader in its industry? Does it speak out on important issues? Do its efforts align with its stated mission?
1. Do you think the company is helping its communities and/or industry? Is it enough? Is it meaningful? Is there evidence the support is more about the PR than the results?What do others say about their community support?
2. How does it compare to competitors or other similar companies?
IV. If you were in charge of sustainability and global citizenship for this company, what would you do differently? What would your top priorities be for the next five years? How would you assess whether or not you have been successful?