What Is Going Green - Essay Example

?Running Head: Contemporary Issues in Management Contemporary Issues in Management [Institute’s The Management of Green & Ethical Issues Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Part I - Benefits of Going Green 3 What Is Going Green 3 Benefits of Going Green 4 Benefits to Business of Going Green 5 Part II - The Management of Green & Ethical Issues (A Mini-Case) 9 Company Background 9 Areas of Concerns 9 Proposed Strategies Ethical and Environmental Strategies for Improvement 10 Implementation of Proposed Strategies 11 Methods of Reducing Negative Publicity 13 References 15 Part I - Benefits of Going Green What Is Going Green As the world entered into the era of twenty first century, it has come across several natural problems and issues out of which global warming is one of the alarming concern and episode for the entire population of the globe. This matter of subject of global warming and the impacts that it is leaving on the earth and its residents has been the highlighting affair where it has covered the news bulletin and broadcasting media in more or less every part of the universe (Brainworks, pp. 4-18, 2009). Due to the massive and colossal damage that the global warming is bringing to the universe, going green is one of the solutions through which the human populace can protect and safeguard it. While going green, it means that the humankind is making an effort to sustain, uphold, and preserve the natural resources, organisms and structures, and at the same time creates an equilibrium and natural stability in the atmospheric conditions. Several ethical values of attempts can come under practice in order to survive and reside a green life, which include plowing of plants and trees in every available properties, promote aforestation, and appall deforestation. In addition, they include safeguarding the wildlife creatures, evade all the prospects that contribute to pollution, promote recycling of products that are not eco-friendly and many more (Brainworks, pp. 4-18, 2009). Few of the natural resources of the universe have come under damage, and now the universe is only left with limited and certain amount of natural resources, which if maintained, the future generations would be able to utilize it, therefore, it has become very important to conserve the restricted natural resources that are present to the humanity. Every individual should contribute in making the world a greener place so that the young generation can have a healthy place to live and survive, and his or her future becomes bright (Brainworks, pp. 4-18, 2009). Benefits of Going Green Going green and adding value to the maintenance and protecting the universe leads to several benefits. Going green is one of the finest and superlative attempts that bring a great deal of help in the saving the earth that is like a mother, as the people have already contributed to a great extent in the immense and mammoth destructions through bloodshed, wars, deforestations, and several other reasons (Sleeth, pp. 345-360, 2009). Aforestation that includes cultivation of more and more trees on unused lands and soils, and discourage deforestation from which several products come under production, and preservation of the wildlife are one of the leading and pivotal solutions that augment the environment to go green. This will help the air from pollution and provide a more natural atmospheric climate that add more value to the green environment and would eventually benefit the entire populace of the world (Chiras, pp. 229-234, 2010). Numerous people are unacquainted and unconscious about the fact that the widespread and frequently used household products contain dangerous pesticides that may produce harm to their bodies on a constant basis. However, by going green and switching to products that are environmentally safe, it not only saves the world, but the health of the people will also have an optimistic and constructive effect and will lead to a healthier life (Sleeth, pp. 3-15, 2009). In addition, the houses are important and fundamental aspects that manipulate and persuade the health of an individual. Therefore, an individual can ensure good by living in the green houses health because these houses come under building with improved substances and objects (Sleeth, pp. 3-15, 2009). Another leading advantage that would benefit the humans is that it helps in hoarding and saving money through abridged costs on household utility expenses that includes the water and electricity energy expenses due to the reason that by going green a person is less likely to waste the electricity and water. In addition, cultivating and implantation of trees and plants on unused lands and garden areas would conserve the clean air and alleviate the pollution factor from the metropolitan cities where the transport is one of the biggest causes in creating the pollution (Goodall & Simmons, pp. 3-10, 2010). While going green helps an individual in saving the money, it eventually results in thrift of economy as well. By shifting to technologies that are environmental friendly will be a great source of help in saving the economy of the country, thus leading the country to prosper and grow. In addition, this change will contribute in making the organizations competent with others and would give them a competitive edge over others. Since the green technology does not come under usage on a widespread basis by each organization of all the sectors of the business community, therefore this technology will enlarge and enhance the opportunity to become the leader in the local market as well as in the international marketplace (Urban Land Institute, pp. 70-75, 2009). Benefits to Business of Going Green Conservation the natural resources and making an eco-friendly environment by going green is not only the responsibility of every person on individual and community basis and but organizations and business community are equally accountable for this process. According to the general perceptions of the business owners, one of the imperative and crucial concerns for them is the preliminary costs associated to the construction of the building of factory or office. As an outcome of green policies, the buildings would appear to be much clean, green, and healthy. Although, green policies and approaches requires a minimal amount that is equal to no initial costs for the construction of building, however, it has many financial benefits associated with it. Moreover, the green buildings will also benefit the businesses as it would decrease and shrink the energy cost, overhead expenditures, cutting down of insurance costs and employees would have better and enhanced safety (Goodall & Simmons, pp. 3-10, 2010). The statistics and data clears the information that the construction of buildings release and discharge considerable amount of toxics such as carbon dioxide, significant amount of wastage of raw-materials and misusage of clean and drinkable water consumption. By going green, it will enhance and enrich into a healthy and powerful ecological environment with biodegradable buildings due to the reason that the planning and construction in a green environment will go for the water and energy effective and productive options. The building of green structures proves to be beneficial for the businesses, as it gives them dominance over their competitors not only in the local market but in the universal market as well (Goodall & Simmons, pp. 3-10, 2010). Thus, the construction of green buildings will lead to more comfortable and worthwhile metropolitan territories and nations in the distant future. The society and the people in the neighborhood are also facilitating the business owners by spreading the green concept and creating awareness to the public, which is developing and reforming the infrastructures of the cities and countries. This is not only providing an advantage to the business community but also the employees and labors of the organizations and the general populace of the society as well (Goodall & Simmons, pp. 3-10, 2010). As the twenty first century is the technological era, where the computers and electronic appliances are the most commonly used items. Therefore, the employees and workers can contribute to green strategies by turning off or unplugging the power cables and extension blocks when they are idle and nobody us using it. In addition, businesses should also use equipments that are enduring, reliable, long-lasting, eco-friendly, consume less energy, and have a prolonged existence (Goodall & Simmons, pp. 3-10, 2010). Employees should make recycling a frequent and widespread practice in the office premises and outside as well and promote other coworkers to recycle the plastic and papers that are waste. In addition to it, organizations should avoid using and consuming disposable products that produces more wasted products. By providing a green environment to the employees, it is more likely for an employee to stay for a longer period with the organization and the employee would become more loyal to the organization where the primary focus is to be socially responsible (Ives, pp. 28-31, 2009). According to some schools of thought, the operational and functional atmosphere provided to the employees that utilize the natural light that is the sunlight raises and amplifies the output, productiveness, and efficiency of the employees. Many of the studies and researches have come to conclusion that sunlight emits such rays that elevates the consciousness and vigilance of the employees, thus resulting in increased efficiency (Hajeski & Goucher & Schmidt, pp. 76-83, 2009). With the increased and augmented awareness, attentiveness, and familiarity about the advantages of going-green amongst the customers, the customers have become more environmentally awake and alert. The recent purchasing and buying trend of the customers illustrates the piece of information that with customers tend to buy green products and services and not even reluctant on paying a higher price on it. Due to this reason, the organizations practicing green businesses tend to increase their customer database; facilitate in the improvement and enrichment the brand value of the organization; and form a good will and reputation for them that benefit the businesses in the long term (Hajeski & Goucher & Schmidt, pp. 30-31, 2009). For instance, the manufacturer of refrigerators if shift their production to the green sub-products and technologies for the production of it will have the end product working in a more efficient way and will reduce the wastes being produced from it. Furthermore, the green technology would save more energy that the refrigerator would use and will ensure that the products kept in the refrigerator stays fresh for a longer period. This would also reduce the cost of the manufactured product, thus making it more efficient and productive. The employees and the workers involved in the production of the refrigerator would have the contentment of making a product that is environmental friendly, thus leading to employee motivation (Hajeski & Goucher & Schmidt, pp. 164-165, 2009). The above discussion and facts makes the conclusion obvious and apparent that going green proves to be an influential and prevailing strategy for competitive advantage for the contemporary organizations in the modern times. Part II - The Management of Green & Ethical Issues (A Mini-Case) Company Background XYZ Corporation is one of the renowned and recognized medium-large sized chains of restaurants in United Kingdom. The company has been into business since past several years and gained popularity for a long time. The total numbers of human resources recruited and working in the chains of restaurants are over 5,000 in count. The chain of restaurants has over 200 outlets in different locations of the world with an annual turnover and profit margin of more than 300 million pounds. The chain of restaurant has a wide variety of menu but the category of foods options provided in the Asian food comes under the consideration as the specialty of XYZ Corporation. Areas of Concerns Although this chain of restaurants has been into business for several years, the corporation has come across several issues and received criticism in few of the segments of the business in the recent times that has created unconstructive and depressing promotion and relations have become poor with suppliers and customers. Below are some of the prominent issues identified by the organization that needs resolution: Dealing with suppliers with poor human/animal rights records Declining to use local suppliers Excess executive pay & bonuses Unhealthy products & ingredients Lack of green strategies (waste disposal, non-seasonal food, energy usage) Proposed Strategies Ethical and Environmental Strategies for Improvement Being an external management consultant, I would like to highlight and emphasize the key aspects of restaurant industry that could provide support to the environmental and ethics manager for improvement in his policies and strategies that could lead the organization to prosper and gain reputation and esteem. Firstly, the organization can attract and catch the attention of the customers and the suppliers by demonstrating the environmental reference or proof document(s) that include certificates, license, endorsement, and several others that the company possesses and can utilize these documents as their unique selling point (USP). Since restaurant industry is a place where a company may find it complicated and tricky to differentiate itself than that from the competitors due to the set of choices contain almost similar variety of food. Therefore, going green and practicing green strategies will be a great source of help in creating a competitive edge for the organization (Whittingdale, pp. 405-410, 2008). The environmental policies designed by the organizations in accordance to the human/animal rights should epitomize in an obvious and lucid way the commitment of the organization towards the implementation of the green strategies and the radical impacts that it will bring to the organization. In addition, the organization should update the environmental policies on a continuous and permanent basis with the current governmental policies. This would influence the suppliers as the organization has taken necessary steps to mitigate and alleviate the risk factor (Whittingdale, pp. 405-410, 2008). Another strategy that can enhance the reputation of the organization is that encourages and makes use of the electronic equipments such as heaters, printers, inks used in printing etc that are environmentally safe and consume less energy. Moreover, make use of those products for cleaning the surrounding location that are eco-friendly and safe to use that include linen as it can come under recycling process as well (Cook, pp. 205-208, 2007). When the employees are not fully aware of the goals and objectives of the corporation, the training cost will increase the overall cost associated to the employee. In addition, the operational cost increases when organization has to spend more money to attract and retain the employees. Therefore, the human resource department should be present who recruits the employees according to the needs of the organization and match the skills and capabilities consequently. Moreover, the employees should apprehend their job duties and responsibilities comprehensively and completely and their role in the accomplishment of the organizational objectives (McKenzie-Mohr & Schultz & Kotler & Lee, pp. 189-192, 2011). Implementation of Proposed Strategies From the proposed strategies as a solution for improving the ethical and environmental policies and strategies, the fundamental aspect that needs consideration and concern is that with the widespread awareness of green environment amongst the consumers, the eco-friendly environment is in high demand by them. Therefore, the organization should very carefully implement the green and ethical strategies, as it would provide a great deal of advantage to the image of the organization. One of the effective and efficient preventive measures that can assist in cutting down the redundant costs and save energy is the shower systems, which should have a low flow of the water thus, will contribute to the saving of excessive water from being wasted and saves other energies as well (McKenzie-Mohr & Schultz & Kotler & Lee, pp. 201-215, 2011). Installation of equipments and technologies for instance lighting, heating and cooling systems, water system and many more that saves the energy and are environmental safe will help the business owner cut down the costs associated with the utilities and will be able to keep proper record of those utility bills. It will not only make the restaurant a green restaurant but will also facilitate the owner in minimizing the costs related to the energies (Schott, pp. 60-75, 2010). Purchasing with the local suppliers will increase the probability to have fresher food and raw material rather than placing orders to the outside suppliers and vendors. In addition, the transportation means and approach that carries the food or the raw materials should come under supervision and examination to ensure the freshness and the quality of the food items. In addition, the ingredients must come under accurate and appropriate checking for the expiry dates to make certain that no ingredients lead to unhygienic preparation of the food. Since the all location of the restaurants are in the British region, therefore, the food and the beverages should come under purchase from these markets only, if this is not possible then look from the European region (McKenzie-Mohr & Schultz & Kotler & Lee, pp. 140-147, 2011). By classifying and categorizing, few of the employees in the team that leads the going green project where the key responsibility of these employees would be organizing, managing and synchronizing the environmental assessment and analysis for the level and amount consumption of water and energy, and the quantity of waste produced. These audits should come under exercise for all the departments that embrace engineering, housekeeping, purchasing, kitchen etc. In addition, special audits in association to the foods quality people should come under commencement for the evaluation of the unhealthy products & ingredients to ensure that the ingredients used in the food are up to the standard (McKenzie-Mohr & Schultz & Kotler & Lee, pp. 189-192, 2011). In order to maintain and sustain the increased cost on employees, training at the initial level should come under performance in order to save the costs. Furthermore, employees should get a detailed training documentation that incorporates all the information about the environmental initiative programs, company policies, and goals. Informal procedures and techniques such as pamphlets, emails and other stuffs should also come under practice in order to create consciousness about different programs that the company desire to implement for uplifting the environmental safeguarding (McKenzie-Mohr & Schultz & Kotler & Lee, pp. 189-192, 2011). Recycling is another effectual and valuable measure that can come under practice by the business owners in order to have a greener atmosphere. By using recycled paper towels, kitchen towels, writing paper, stationary products, and other products made out of reprocessed fabric and substances will add value to the green strategies and will promote the name of the restaurant (Schott, pp 143-146, 2010). Methods of Reducing Negative Publicity While running chains of restaurants, it can harmoniously add a value in the wastage of the natural resources and increase the overhead costs of the organization. The studies provide evidence for the facts for the creation of an ambiance that attracts the customers several, bars, restaurants, pools and many other profound amenities and services come under offering by the restaurants. The lights consumed by them produces huge amount of carbon dioxide that counts in creating a negative publicity for the restaurants. Therefore, the restaurant owners should have their key focus on having the florescent lights as they are environmental safe, thus the impact of safer environment will add value to them (Cooperman & Andreas & Gifford, pp. 202-204, 2011). The Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and social programs and projects are one of the premium solutions that can come under adoption by the XYZ Corporation in order to minimize and curtail the negative publicity. They should focus and put emphasis on the importance and significance of the social responsibilities and appropriate plans and projects should come under practice. This will enhance the social image and brand value to the customers as well as for suppliers (Springer, pp. 471-475, 2011). Implementation of employee involvement plans, filling out survey questionnaires from the suppliers with the information on green environment, sharing of environmental credentials of the business are some of the key aspects and attributes that would decrease the likelihood of spreading the negative publicity. In fact, these will positively add to the promotion of the restaurant for the customers and the suppliers (Cooperman & Andreas & Gifford, pp. 201-213, 2011). The implementation of going green for the entire chains of restaurants will definitively and eventually consequent in manifold benefits: considerable decline in overhead costs, elevate the environmental friendly atmosphere, increase in customer satisfaction, aggravated revenue to paramount heights and creating a competitive edge over others present in the global marketplace. References Brainworks. 2009. Going Green. Popular Prakashan. Chiras, Daniel D. 2010. Environmental science. Jones & Bartlett Learning. Cook. 2007. Tourism: The Business of Travel, 3/E. Pearson Education India. Cooperman, Elizabeth S. & Andreas, Fred & Gifford, Blair. 2011. A Simple Path to Sustainability: Green Business Strategies for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses. ABC-CLIO. Goodall, Chris & Simmons, Craig. 2010. The Green Guide for Business: The Ultimate Environment Handbook for Businesses of All Sizes. Profile Books. Hajeski, Nancy & Goucher, David R., & Schmidt, Philip J. 2009. The Earth Friendly Home: The Green House. Creative Homeowner. Ives, Rob. 2009. Paper Engineering & Pop-Ups for Dummies. For Dummies. McKenzie-Mohr, Doug & Schultz, P. Wesley & Kotler, Philip & Lee, Nancy R. 2011. Social Marketing to Protect the Environment: What Works. SAGE. Sleeth, Nancy. 2009. Go Green, Save Green: A Simple Guide to Saving Time, Money, and God's Green Earth. Tyndale House Publishers. Schott, Christian. 2010. 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