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BUGEN 5930 Business, Society and the Planet

In preparing your responses to these questions, you may need to access additional materials (articles, videos, reports, quizzes, websites) that are available from the course Moodle page and/or the links in the questions.

Question 1
Dunphy, Griffiths and Benn (2007) developed a 6 Phase Model to describe the stages a business will progress through in its transformation to becoming a sustainable organisation. One of the phases identified by the authors is the Strategic Proactivity phase.

a. Describe the sustainability objectives and indicators typical of businesses in the Strategic Proactivity phase.
b. Describe the possible strategic opportunities that could be of interest to a manufacturer of water pumps (used for agricultural and other industrial functions), that wished to proactively position itself as an innovative company developing sustainable products.

Question 2
In 1999, Lovins, Lovins & Hawken introduced the concept of ‘Natural Capitalism', suggesting business needed to make four major shifts to move to better satisfy their customers' needs, increase profits and help solve environmental problems. One of the principles identified was the need to Reinvest in Natural Capital.
a. Describe this principle and how can its application contribute to a more sustainable way of business operation?
b. Describe in detail two examples of actions businesses can take to Reinvest in Natural Capital.

Question 3

One of the ‘fronts' on Interface Carpet's mission to climb Mt Sustainability was ‘sensitising stakeholders'.
a. What was meant by ‘sensitising stakeholders' and why was this an important part of Interface's mission?
b. Who were Interface's stakeholders and how could they have been potentially impacted by the company's commitment to producing sustainable floor coverings?

Question 4
The GAPFRAME provides a useful guide to the performance of countries from around the world, in terms of their progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It can highlight areas of strong (or safe) performance, as well as identifying ‘the gaps' for countries.

a. In what ways could the GAPFRAME tool be used by a social enterprise such as Thankyou to identify business opportunities?
b. Identify at least two countries that present Thankyou with opportunities for business expansion, and two countries with ‘gaps' that can be helped through Thankyou's socially beneficial activities. Give reasons for your selections.

Part C - Giving Voice to Values

This task requires you to read the (attached) scenario ‘A Billing Bind', from Babson College, and apply the Giving Voice to Values (GVV) framework to respond to the ethical dilemma presented. To demonstrate this application, you need to respond to all of the following questions relating to the scenario. You should aim to write at least 3 pages (1500 words) in response to Part C.

Question C1 - 250 words
Who are the key stakeholders impacted by the ethically questionable behaviour/practice outlined in this scenario and what is at stake for these key parties?

Question C2 - 250 words
What are the reasons and rationalisations that may be used by those trying to justify the ethically questionable behaviour and/or business practice that is causing the main character's ethical dilemma?

Question C3 - 250 words
What are the most powerful & persuasive responses (i.e. levers) the main character could use to respond to these reasons/ rationalisations? To whom should the argument be made? When? In what context? How can they be applied to enable the main character to act on his/her values, in a way that maximises the positive impact and minimises negative outcomes for all stakeholders?

Question C4 - 750 words
Develop a script that applies the GVV framework to this scenario. This script should begin at the point where the scenario ended. This must include dialogue of conversations with one or more key stakeholders in which the main character is able to give voice to her/his values, by using the most appropriate levers to respond to the most likely reasons and rationalisations, to achieve a more ethical outcome for all stakeholders.

Attachment:- Society and the Planet.rar