Environmental Management Programs - Research Paper Example

Business Communication Name: Course: Tutor: Institution: Date: Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Transmittal Letter 3 Executive Summary 4 1.0 Introduction 5 1.1 Background 5 1.2 Purpose 5 1.3 Methodology 5 2.0 Discussion 6 2.1 Program A: Paper Recycling 6 2.2 Program B:-IT Adoption 6 3.0 Conclusions 7 4.0 Recommendations 7 References 10 Transmittal Letter Dear Madam, Following your proposal and requirements for further evaluation of appropriate organizational programs, as the administrative manager, I executed your orders. In this report is the analysis of the various programs available for the organization as well as feedback to your queries. Thank you for your continued support. Executive Summary This research report offers an evaluation of alternative environmental friendly programs for implementation by the organization. In this regard, the evaluated programs include the paper recycling and IT application alternatives through both the primary and secondary data collection methods. On one hand, the report establishes that although reducing on production costs, the cost of acquiring the infrastructure as well as training staff is relatively high under the recycling program. On the other hand, under IT application the report concludes that it would enhance environmental conservation but pose a major disposal environmental challenge. As such, the report offers a range of recommendations such as need for alliances, training employees, and outsourcing some IT services among others. 1.0 Introduction 1.1 Background The organization has over the last decade encountered increased costs of production due to its application of the paper based accounting system. In this regard, the partners established that among other cost reduction methods, the development of an environmentally friendly program rhyming with the organizational goals and objectives could significantly reduce on the costs. Subsequently, a research on the alternatives was commissioned whose findings are enumerated in this report. 1.2 Purpose In summary, the key deliverable objective of this research report is to develop a list of recommendations on available and viable environmentally friendly programs from which the partners can select the most appealing and economically viable alternative for execution in the organizational operations. 1.3 Methodology As Calantone and Vickery (2009, p.95) stated, in order to collect concrete data on the topic, the research conducted both primary and secondary data collection exercises. On one hand, a primary data collection included the distribution of electronic questionnaires to various accounting organisations that apply diverse environmental management programs. On the other hand, the study evaluated the existing industry reports as well as environmental journals to establish the current and expected trends in environmental conservation efforts. 2.0 Discussion 2.1 Program A: Paper Recycling One of the evaluated programs for execution to reduce on paper wastage was the introduction of a paper recycling system. In this regard, a primary data collection evaluation on firms applying this approach established that it significantly reduced on the cost of acquiring new paper sets thus reducing overall dumping as well as production costs in the long run. However, one major challenge in this system is the required investment capital. In order to acquire the paper recycler, Yoreh (2010, p.325) argued that organisations have to invest a high capital value. Therefore, this poses a major operational threat as it would reduce the overall organizational working capital. In addition, the operation of the process requires HR application. Therefore, the organization will be required to channel some of the 45 employees into this program or else employ others. Either way it would either reduce on available workforce for the organizational core function or increase employment costs. 2.2 Program B:-IT Adoption Nie (2008, p.141) argued that one of the strategic approaches to mitigate against organizational waste products disposal is the eventual migration from the manual to the automated systems. In this regard, the organizations abandon traditional operational procedures such as the use of paper work in accounting and instead apply modern technology approaches through the use of software and computer applications. In this regard, a literature evaluation established that through increased IT adoption, organisations in the global market significantly reduced on their environmental destruction. For instance, the need for procuring papers manufactured form wood and trees are considerably reduced as well as the costs of disposing or recycling off the already used papers. However, a critical evaluation on this environmental program established a major challenge in the disposal of the IT infrastructure. An evaluation of the IT industry revealed its drastic and radical changes that render its infrastructure obsolete. However, unlike the papers that are bio degradable, the electronic products are non bio degradable and thus their use, though reducing on environmental pollution in the medium run period could pose a bigger challenge in the long run. 3.0 Conclusions In summary, this research report evaluates the various programs through which the venture can invest in to increase its overall environmental friendly policies. In this case, and in cognizant of the role of environmental conservation policies to both an organizational efficiency and reputation, the report evaluates two key projects namely the paper recycling and IT adoption options respectively. On one hand, the paper recycling option offers a change for reduced costs of production as well as conservation of forests. However, the programs evaluation proves expensive for the venture. On the other hand, despite the high costs and risks f adopting an IT management and operations approach such as disposal challenges, the report evaluation establishes the program as viable and rational. 4.0 Recommendations Based on the above research study analysis, this report developed a series of recommendations through which the organization can actively incorporate the evaluated environmental management programs as a measure to increase its effectiveness as well as contribution to the society through environmental conservation. The recommendations are as listed below: Allocate more finances to the establishment of an appropriate environmental management program. Although this might not be executed within a single budget, the management should consider establishing a fund with annual submissions in which long term accrued savings can be used to acquire the paper recycling infrastructure and training (Prem, 2014, p.241). The management should include employees in the development of the recommended environmental conservation programs. Through this approach, the employees will be part of the process and as such significantly increase their cooperation rates as well as reduce overall programs implementation resistance Due to the high programs execution costs, the organization should seek alliances with other practitioners in the industry as well as the government as a measure to share the costs of developing the required infrastructure. With respect to the IT infrastructural development, the organization should start with an employee’s training program as a measure to ensure employees competiveness in IT use as well as substantially reduce on the risk of employee obsoleteness (Baschab and Piot, 2007, p.377). In order to mitigate the high costs and expertise required in managing a technology operational platform, the organization should outsource the services. However, it should lay down strategies to build its own human resource capacity to handle the technology needs in the long run. Finally under the environmental friendliness success enhancement, the management should consider the introduction of corporate social responsibility programs. In this case, it should liaise with society based organisations that conduct various projects to conserve the environment and empower the society through increased systems sustainability enhancement. Such activities would include tree planting as well as society civic education where the 45 staff can be directly involved. As Vancheswaran and Gautam (2011, p.87) stated, the adoption of this approach would enable the venture reach out to other environmental programs through which its alliances with the government and other stakeholders would be facilitated and strengthened. References Baschab, J., & Piot, J., 2007, The executive's guide to information technology, John Wiley & Sons, Hoboken, N.J. Calantone, R. & Vickery, S.K. 2009, "Special Topic Forum on Using Archival and Secondary Data Sources in Supply Chain Management Research", Journal of Supply Chain Management, vol. 45, no. 2, pp. 94-95. Nie, M. 2008, "The underappreciated role of regulatory enforcement in natural resource conservation", Policy Sciences, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 139-164. Prem, V. 2014, Materials management: An integrated systems approach. Springer, New Delhi Vancheswaran, A. & Gautam, V. 2011, "CSR in SMEs: Exploring a Marketing Correlation in Indian SMEs", Journal of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 85-98,153. Yoreh, T. 2010, "Ultra-Orthodox recycling narratives: implications for planning and policy", Journal of Enterprising Communities, vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 323-345. Read More