Trends in Society and Cultrure - Essay Example

? TRENDS IN SOCIETY AND CULTURE: (SUSTAINABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY) Most businesses expect to be effective and also make a profit. As important as this is, the company should also be careful on what activities it engages in as they affects the environment. A standard procedure involves having committed environmentally friendly policies and having excellent customer service. This means a company is capable of winning many clients in return. There are some ways through which a company can improve its environmental responsibility. Many business entities think that getting environmentally responsible can lead to profit reduction, in their businesses. If economic growth has to be the primary purpose of an economic system in which a company operates in, then the social responsibilities of the business are relatively small. Keywords: business responsibility, environmental responsibility, Introduction: Business entities should seek to be morally responsible in their effort to get their profit. If a company is not held responsible of its action, there will be a lot of destruction to the universe, in general. Brandtland (1987), states that a business should operate and seek profits within the law. He further states a company should operate within some moral constraints. Sustainability, which affects most of what we do, provides grounds within which a substantial enjoyment of human needs creates the ultimate goal. The sustainability of a company counts on the employees’. This can be demonstrated through their ideas on dealing with environmental issues. That includes their contributions through their ideas and suggestions to solve some of the looming problems facing the world. The earth, which is the source for all economic activity, endures intense pressure from the economic growth experienced. Many assume that this extension is supposed to provide the answer to the challenges experienced, which is not true. Businesses that wish to go green make this with long- term objectives in mind. This eventually leads to a greater productivity in the work place, though not seen directly. When a company goes green, the business area becomes a healthier environment. A healthy work environment leads to strong employees, and hence greater output; it has a domino effect, which leads to many advantages such as less health care costs for both employees and employers. Other advantages include education to those working there. This will go a long way in saving the universe. Although unaware, the commercial system is controlled by statute in the use of resources. There is a lot of distortion in the business community as to going green. This has led to a massive ecological debt as well as natural disasters frequency. Businesses can do a lot to improve and be eco- efficient. This will continue through integrating eco-efficiency in their strategies. Dyllick and Hockerts (2002) suggest that some of the things an organization can do is set eco-efficient techniques in their operational and marketing strategies. Economically sustainable companies can guarantee sufficient cash flow, which ensures liquidity and an average return to their shareholders. The difference ecologically sustainable companies’ experience is that they use natural resources slower and below the average production policy. They do not cause emissions that accumulate in the environment at the rate beyond the capacity of the natural order to absorb and integrate these emissions. They should not participate in any activity that would also deteriorate the eco-system services (Dyllick and Hockerts, 2002, p.72). Ecological sustainability analysis is based on the realizations that on a finite planet the depreciation of natural capital. It is noted that the willingness of the managers will in turn encourage employees to undertake environmental initiatives. Stated, environmental policies may not encompass much of a direct impact on employees’ willingness to eco-innovate (Lovins, 2002, 146). There are many benefits to going green. Firms can get some great and immediate rewards through some energy saving measures. Energy efficient methods reduce energy and utilities costs almost immediately. In the long run, it helps develop a company image and build a brand, people can relate. The firm, therefore, gets recognized as an environmentally responsible one. Currently people are particularly environmentally sensitive and like to recognize themselves with such companies. This gives an advantage to a company from its competitors as it benefits directly. A company can also use going green as a form of rebranding. Rebranding helps an organization compete with bigger corporate on a larger scale. The scale varies from the economies to its clients lists. A company can, therefore, rebrand itself as a reputable business and capture a fair share of the market. Nowadays, clients/ customers love associating with eco- friendly companies. It helps a company become more visible to its clients as it is more transparent in its acts. A company needs to be visible in every step it engages in. From the building in which an agency is situated to its practices, it should be open to all. If a company is situated in a particular building, the building should be energy efficient. It can have solar panels situated on its roof tops. Solar panels will assist in the storing of energy. The windows should be clear so as to let light in. This will in effect reduce the amount of energy used by the corporate and its costs in the utilities. These save a huge amount of energy and can be used in direct savings. Office utilities should be limited so as to reduce misuse. Many employees prefer to use paper in excess, and this indirectly leads to a huge loss in the company. The original costs of going green tend to be high, and this tends to discourage many firms, but should be taken as a challenge. Despite the first high risk capital, the company saves a lot of money in the long run, as it becomes environmentally responsible. This is because as time goes, it is not necessary for the company to replace anything. Once bought, it can last for a long time, and as other companies buy replacements, a green company will have no need to do so. In the long run, this can be termed as a worthwhile investment. Recycling is another method that can be used to reduce environmental hazards. Recycling can be used to reduce pollution. Paper and oil can be used in the future and also reduce environmental pollution. There are other ways in which a company can be helpful to the environment. If a filtration system is installed in the building, it will help control dust and prevent respiratory issues in employees, in the future. These small moves may not have a direct impact, but they eventually prove their worth. Many companies work with the aim of making a profit as their bottom line, and as such, they should be able to attain these when they go green. Companies are nowadays being offered tax credits if they utilize environmentally friendly practices. These practices range from the use of renewable energy like solar power to use of hybrid cars or trucks. Going paperless is one of the best moves any organization can do. There are great amounts of records that need to be stored and can make an impression of an untidy office. Although many businesses view going green as an extreme move, it proves to be an easier way to manage the office. Everything can now entirely be backed up electronically. This move will save on some basic costs of materials such as stationary used in the office. Some of these small changes can add up to a surprisingly large expense. Some business owners may claim there are many pressing reasons in today’s climate for them not to go green, but with green issues taking on greater importance to customers and employees alike, and with clear financial benefits to many green practices, business owners are better off asking themselves if they can afford not to change to a cleaner, greener way of working. Conclusion: Embracing rapid changes in an organization enables it to be a step ahead of its competitors. These changes will create a company to be a successful leader. It can be assumed that corporate managers will place greater emphasis on the business case, while the standard or societal case will only become irrelevant if external systems force firms to take notice (Farole and Reis, 2012, p.92). Initially, it may seem as an expensive move to make, but it later proves to be business friendly. Many businesses, especially in this hard economic time find that, despite their interest to go green, it not their number one priority. The truth is, greener practices do not really need to be expensive or cost more, and they actually reduce business costs. Due to the growing consciousness in the market for green products, a company can take advantage and tap into that market, through their services and products. Bibliography Brundtland G. H. 1987. Our common future. Brussels: World commission on environment and development. Lovins, L. and Hawken. 2002. The next industrial revolution.  Gabriola Island, BC, Canada: New society Publishers. Dyllick, T. and Hockerts, K. 2002. Beyond the Business Case For Corporate Sustainability. Retrieved from https://www.google.co.ke/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CDgQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fciteseerx.ist.psu.edu%2Fviewdoc%2Fdownload%3Fdoi%3D10.1.1.85.7839%26rep%3Drep1%26type%3Dpdf&ei=MAiRT46ZCKP80QXM7szjAQ&usg=AFQjCNFGR0fj8aJEK2N-n137oyLvy23S9A Farole, T. and Reis, J., G. 2012. Trade Competitiveness Diagnostic Toolkit. Washington: World Bank Publications. Read More