Motivational Management Practices at Wholefoods - Case Study Example

?Research Methods INTRODUCTION Ethics play an important role in determining the success or failure of an organization. They have an effect on the reputation of an organization and assists in defining a model that will succeed even during the time of adversity. This research paper tries to find out how Wholefoods use its sustainable and ethical business practices in order to motivate its employees. This paper is divided into four sections, i.e. introduction, literature review, methodology, discussions and findings and conclusions. Background of the study Sustainability is a term which has been used since time in memorial. Nevertheless, this term has been used also by food sector to embrace the impression of sustainable development though its definition remains complex. Its complexity has been a great challenge to translating the concept of sustainability into specific actions as well as sustainable business practices for food industries. Nevertheless, the company has acknowledged the criticisms on their contributions towards unsustainable reduction of resources. Wholefoods intends to promote the implementation of quality and sustainable business practices through the self-regulation and voluntary initiative. Since attitudes are closely linked to behaviour and actions, the managers’ attitudes towards responsibility and sustainability for supportable development are prone to investigations by scholars. The study therefore will try to investigate how Wholefoods use its sustainable and ethical business practices to motivate their employees. On the other hand, the efficacy of the initiatives shall not be investigated, but will remain a field for future research. The main aim for the execution of sustainable business practices is mainly based on the managers’ or the companies’ philosophy and closely related to the likelihood of cost saving. However, high commitment of employees and satisfaction and good public relations will also be mentioned as some of the key benefits. Research Objectives 1) Examine how Wholefoods uses its sustainable and ethical business practices to motivate their employees 2) Establish barriers to sustainable business practices in Wholefoods Market Company 3) Investigate strategies for sustainable business practices in the Wholefoods Company Scope of the study The scope of this study lies behind what the wholefood employees are being exposed to by the good sustainability and ethical business practices by the managers. The main interest is on the extent to which the managers can enhance sustainable and ethical business practices in motivating the employees which has proved to be ripple effect in most of the food industry Limitation of the study Any business can be limited in its implementation due to various factors that may go beyond control. Some of the expected barriers for effective enactment of sustainable business practices are costs, time, lack of information support and the complexity associated with the subject matter. These barriers will hinder the researcher from carrying out the researcher effectively. As a result, the overall results may not be precise as possible. LITERATURE REVIEW Strategic implementation of sustainable business practices For implementing successful sustainable business practices, sustainability holistic principle should be well understood and amalgamated into the strategic planning of that particular business. In case the initiatives of sustainability are viewed as add-ons, the full paybacks of sustainable business practices shall be realized (Soper, 2007). Strategic sustainability symbolizes a full commitment shown by the executive management that can move beyond efficiency and compliance to minimize costs and risks. The incorporation of sustainability into strategic design and planning requires businesses to advance a longevity focus thus helping them to scrutinize extortions and opportunities, observe interactions outside the environment and make use of the current trends. This call for a system that discerns that all is linked in one way or another and everybody has a duty to contribute towards sustainability (Woodside, 2008). Results of the implementation of sustainable business practices One of the possible reasons for the adoption of sustainable business is to contribute to societal needs and maintain good business practices. Reducing the Cost One of the cited results of sustainable business practices is the costs reduction which is the prime aim of coming up with environmental initiatives. Specifically, the high cost of energy, water and waste disposal has resulted to several businesses looking for other options. For instance, recycling materials and using energy savers as well as using the water storage devices promote sustainability. Such initiatives mainly focus on the dimension of the environment for sustainable business transactions (Feagan, 2008). Public relations Sustainable business processes may bring a lot of benefits to the industry at large in form of good public relations as well as improved the company’s image with the local community and shareholders. The benefits may distinguish one business from the other competitors. This forms the basis of new market and competitive advantage. According to researches carried out, it shows that good public relations have an upper hand than improved relationship with the community (Sassatelli., 2007). Employee satisfaction In several occasions, employees feel motivated, proud and adequately rewarded in carrying out their work through sustainable HRM. Furthermore, good health and quality service promote business practices and sustainable development. The transition towards sustainability involves positive change. However, for successful efforts in sustaining business practices, cultural beliefs and behavior should be steady. This will assist the company in attracting and retaining competent employees which as at now is a critical issue in the food industry (Shepherd, 2009). Sustainability in the food industry The food industry has become one of the largest industries all over the world though it has been condemned for its unsustainable practices like misuse of the environment and the local people, no commitment to specific destination and unsustainable design and planning of some of the elements (Westenhoefer, 2009). Furthermore, the industry has been blamed for keeping steady focus on short term profit maximization as opposed to long term sustainability goals. Several scholars concur with the fact that the goals of any organization should be tied towards economic performance and not only major on environmental performance. Sustainable Business Practices Definition of sustainable business practices From its definition, sustainable business refers to any business activity which operates in the interest of the shareholders in such a way that it promotes long survival of the business. Those businesses which only aim at minimizing the environmental effects are called the green businesses while the sustainable business would mainly focus on the sustainability dimensions, which have been named triple bottom line. The dominions are closely entangled and their inter-relations need a clear understanding (Shepherd., 2009). The drawback to the dimension of environmental has been condemned for attempting make food industry ‘sustainable’. Nonetheless, considering the environmental initiatives can be thought to be the first step geared towards sustainability with reference to the four-step figure/model for sustainable development in food industry. The preceding steps concerns with making the environmental management practices. The following and final steps pose great challenges to big organisations to go an extra mile and integrate ethical and social aspects in the community (Teddlie., 2007). The sustainability phase model also gives distinct steps the organisations can follow to attain sustainability. None of the organizations has attained such a level. Most of them are still in the first phase and need to double their efforts to pool the ecologic, socio-cultural and environmental dimension of sustainability (Castro, 2009). METHODOLOGY This section entails methodology to be used by the researcher in the study and the implementation of research. Mixed method approach was used so as to provide answers to all the questions. Quantitative method In the food industry research, the most preferred method of data collection was questionnaire-based surveys. This provided detailed information pertaining a person’s attitudes or give an account of their behavior (Creswell, 2009). Questionnaire Primary research was conducted where questionnaire was designed according to the guidelines of constructing the questionnaire, the layout and contents of the questions. Questionnaire was distributed to employees and managers where the researcher tried to get the information on how managers use sustainable and ethical business practices to motivate their employees (Silverman, 2000.) Sampling An appropriate sampling method will be chosen in gathering of information in the Wholefood Market Company. Sampling procedures can be either probability or non-probability sampling. In probability sampling, every individual in the entire population has an equal opportunity to take part in the survey. Data collection instruments The study employed self-administered questionnaire which required the respondents to read by themselves and be able to answer the questions. Another method of collecting data was the comprehensive interview whereby the interviewer encouraged the respondents to talk and even asked the respondents to clarify their answers (Soper, 2007). These comprehensive interviews was categorized into semi-structured, structured and unstructured depending on the interview design and schedule The questionnaire was both deposited at the reception of Wholefoods and also handed over directly to the concerned manager. Some of the questionnaires were distributed via email to some of the managers and staff. Arrangements for collecting questionnaire will be made where some of the respondents will be allowed to send via mail. Data analysis The data obtained through the questionnaire and interviews will be analyzed by use of tables, bar graphs and pie charts Discussion of Findings The first objective of the researcher was to examine how Wholefoods uses its sustainable and ethical business practices to motivate their employees. From the findings, the researcher realized that Wholefoods identifies its employees as one of its greatest assets and it prides in its employees (Silverman, 2000.). The company intends to nurture a sense of togetherness in its employees and offer them considerable say in their work places. The company offers to its employees several benefits like insurance cover, something which is not common in other food groceries. Among it’s over 70,000 employees, 73% of them are eligible to benefits which in turn reduces the rate of turnover to less than 10%. The researcher also found out that employees are paid the highest amount of salary as compared to other employees in other groceries. Furthermore, the management has adopted open book approach where everything is made known to the employees (Castro, 2009). Therefore, Wholefoods Company has established itself as a company which not only focuses on other stakeholders, but also on its employees and also focuses on ethical business practices and sustainability (Woodside, 2008). The following chart summarizes the stakeholder-focused conscious capitalism of Wholefoods Company Other business practices that the company uses to motivate its employees include: Safety at the place of work The company ensures that the well-being of its employees is part of their business. The company continuously improves the safety of its employees by designing plants and facilities that enhances sustainability. Since safety of the employees is an important element in business sustainability, the company continuously provides a safer environment for its employees and other stakeholders. The company has also set a target of sustainable living plan that reduces the injuries at the place of work (Kast, 2009). Rewarding sustainable practices of the employees Another way that the company can motivate its employees through its sustainable practices is rewarding those employees who take part in sustainable business practices (Roy, 2008). Conclusion In order to implement a successful sustainable business practices, the principle of holistic sustainability should be properly understood and incorporated into the strategic planning of that particular business. In case the initiatives of sustainability are viewed as add-ons, the full paybacks of sustainable business practices shall be realized (Creswell, 2009). Strategic sustainability symbolizes a full commitment shown by the top management that can move beyond efficiency and compliance to reduce risks and costs. 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