Environmental issues and management processes introduced to deal with such issues - Essay Example

? Environmental issues and management process(s) introduced to deal with such issues. DECLARATION This research report is my original work and has not been presented to any other examination body. No part of research should be reproduced without my consent or that of (University). Name: Sign……………………………………………… Date……………………….. Declaration by supervisor This research has been submitted with my approval as (University) Supervisor. Name: Sign………………………………………………….. Date………………………. DEDICATION (Please indicate those that you feel you need to dedicate your project report to) ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I give thanks to God for helping and enabling me to make it this far. (Please include others that you feel you need to acknowledge) Table of Contents DECLARATION 1 DEDICATION 2 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 3 1 CHAPTER ONE: 6 1.1 Introduction 6 1.2 Background of the Study 6 1.3 Statement of the Problem 7 1.4 Objectives of the Study 7 1.5 Research Questions 7 1.6 Research Hypothesis 8 1.7 Significance of the Study 8 2 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 8 2.1 Introduction 8 2.2 Global Warming 8 2.3 Pollution 9 2.4 Management Processes 11 3 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 12 3.1 Introduction 12 3.2 Research Design 12 3.3 Target Population 13 3.4 Sample design and procedure 13 3.5 Sample Size 13 3.6 Data Collection Instruments and Procedures 13 3.7 Data Analysis Procedure 14 3.8 Ethical Issues 14 4 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 14 4.1 Demographic Data 14 4.2 Environmental Effects Caused By Automotive Industry 15 4.3 Characteristics of a Good Automotive Industry 16 4.4 Significance of Management Processes 16 4.5 Problems Hindering The Implementation Of Management processes In Your Company. 17 4.6 Importance of Management Processes 18 4.7 Discussions 18 4.8 Conclusion 19 1 CHAPTER ONE: 1.1 Introduction The rationale of this paper is to focus on automotive manufacturing industry which plays a major role in affecting the environment. Automotive industry has made a lot of progress due to increase in the manufacturing income in the last two decades. However, the industry is faced by huge harms much of which revolves around environmental effects (Horrigan 2009). One of the most recognised environmental effects brought about by the automotive industry is pollution. Basically, pollution can be said to occur when the introduction of chemicals, gases, fumes or even odor is released to the atmosphere (Tyler and Scott 2009). These causes harm and discomfort to both humans and other living things. It also causes damage to both natural and man-made environments. It is through activities brought about by an automotive industry that the issue of global warming comes in. Therefore, this paper is going to assess some of these issues. 1.2 Background of the Study The automotive industry has seen an outstanding change on its structure and management in the late 1990s. Lately, the new approaches have continued to weaken the customary structure of the industry (Law 1991). This includes ways in which the industry can be structured in order to be environmental friendly. Production process has been witnessed which encourages invention of electric vehicles which are friendlier to the environment (Law 1991). Globally, the automotive industry has witnessed a tremendous growth particularly in China (Law 1991). Nevertheless, the industry is faced by much challenges ranging from organization matter to its effects on the environment. In order to have a clear attention to detail of such issues, the present paper carried out investigate on currently literatures on automotive industry and its effects on the environment as discussed in chapter two. 1.3 Statement of the Problem In the last two decades, the automotive industry has been linked to unfavorable environmental harms. One of the key concerns involves globalization. Globalisation is referred as “the process through which regional economies and societies became integrated into a common network that has universal coverage” (Sturgeon 2008, p 58). Contemporary globalisation comprises incorporation of political thoughts through communication, transportation and trade. Thus the automotive industry plays a crucial role in this situation. In China, similar to other leading players in the automotive industries, globalisation has seen economic growth while the adverse environmental effects increase day by day. Various features of globalisation occur deliberately through boost in the level of business development for international marketing but fail to address the issue of environment accordingly. 1.4 Objectives of the Study Main objective To assess environmental issues and management processes introduced to deal with such issues. Specific objective To analyze the effects caused by manufacturing industries on the environment. To establish appropriate measures and processes used to deal with such effects. To recommend concrete measures on how to reduce environmental disintegration. 1.5 Research Questions 1. What are the environmental issues and management processes introduced to deal with such issues? 2. What are the effects caused by manufacturing industries on the environment? 3. What are the appropriate measures and processes used to deal with such effects? 4. What are the measures used to reduce environmental disintegration? 1.6 Research Hypothesis The study tests the following hypothesis: Manufacturing industries have adverse environmental effects. 1.7 Significance of the Study The findings of this paper will be of great importance to the automotive industry. The industry will have an in depth understanding of the effects of their automobiles thus focus their energy on inventing new models that would be friendly to the environment. 2 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1 Introduction There are many studies that have been carried out on the effects of the automotive industry on the environment. This section is going to highlight some of the important literatures that relate to the automotive industry and their effects on the environment. 2.2 Global Warming According to Paul et al 1992, p. 49, “global warming is the increase of the Earth’s average surface temperature due to effect of green house gases, such as carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels, gas emissions from industries or from deforestation, which trap heat that would otherwise escape from the earth.” Paul added that global standard temperature has increased by about 0.6?C in the past century with a main warming rising in the 1970s. It is therefore the worry raised by the effect of global warming that calls for need to research on the effects of automotive industry to try and assess on the articulating issues about global warming and to come up with conclusions on the same. For example, when the automotive industry releases its carbon emissions to the atmosphere, global temperatures go up, the rain patterns change causing variation of natural processes and the organization and purpose of the ecosystems (Law 1991). These changes are enough to justify my reasons to carryout some research on the effects of automotive industry on the environment. Environmental issues are very contentious issues today. This is evident by the ever increasing environmental pollution. Due to gas emissions and waste disposals of the automotive industry, differences of environmental behavior are experienced more than the natural differences do. So this means that this is a controllable issue if the man’s activities are controlled and contained. Global warming has greatest threat to world financial and social systems. According to Adger and Brown 1995, pollution is the major contributor to the greenhouse warming. Global warming is a major contributor of natural calamities. 2.3 Pollution The substances that cause air pollution are referred to as pollutants. Tyler and Scott 2009 noted that most of these pollutants are as a result of man’s activities which have been facilitated by technology, of which the automotive industry follows suit. In early days before technological advances, nature kept it own system clean (Paul et al 1992). Wind used to blow gases way while rain used to wash away dust and other chemicals away and dissolved them to the soils where plants later absorbed them in form of minerals. Plants also through the process of photosynthesis used to absorb carbon dioxide and replaced it with fresh oxygen. However, that is very different today. Man has destroyed and distorted natural ways that controlled air pollution. Perhaps the automotive industry needs to initiate a strategy of planting new trees which would act as a neutralizing agent to the pollutions caused by the automobile (Paul et al 1992). If this argument is something to go by, then it is correct to propose that a policy be introduced whereby every person who happens to purchase a vehicle be forced to plant a tree. 2.3.1 Causes and effects of pollution on the environment Environmental pollution is caused by many things that man does without minding what consequences would befall him. For example, vehicles are very useful on daily activities that man undertakes. However, failure to mind of their consequences in the right way causes air pollution (Tyler and Scott 2009). For example, during manufacturing process, the waste materials become a health hazard to populace and always cause severe sicknesses. Environmental effects linked to such materials are not only experienced through the problems linked to their disposal but also through the manufacture procedure and the end products which in this case are the vehicles. The waste materials released during manufacturing of vehicles disposed accordingly. Some industries dispose the waste materials in open environments and this leads to air pollution. Some of these waste products are chemical components which are harmful to humans and the environment (Tyler and Scott 2009). Moreover, the situation worsens when vehicles emits carbon monoxide to the environment. The number of vehicles has increased tremendously thus increasing the amount of carbon emissions. The effects of environmental pollutions are much bigger than they tend to be seen. Continuous environmental pollution may lead to Global warming which has greatest threat to worldwide economic and social systems. Tyler and Scott 2009 noted that when natural environment is affected by air pollution, many people get affected mostly the children and the elderly who are weaker than other groups of people. Every day activities may affect both health and behavior of human beings. For example, carbon monoxide is known for its effect on oxygen in blood, causes fatigue, headache, and muscular problems. Some recent scientific researches have indicated that air pollution affects ozone layer. This increases the amount of ultraviolet emission reaching the earth, and is known to cause skin cancer and damages crops and plants. 2.4 Management Processes The 21st century saw a new concern on the way industries and companies innovated. Predominantly, most of these innovations intended to meet customer’s expectations. However, today the course and new concerns are much directed towards environmental and social concerns. The automotive industry has consequently been on the spotlight due its increased growth and effects on the environment (Law 1991). In this regard, much attention has been given on the atmospheric pollution and its consequences to the human health and global warming. One of the commonly advocated management protocols is green innovation management (Law 1991). This is the process that identifies, implements and monitor new ideas that could be used to improve industries’ environmental performance while enhancing competitiveness. The process of identification includes the shortage of the resources and environmental legislations, and consumer’s requirements and environmental soothing products. The process of implementation refers to the expansion of the plan in the industry and finally the monitoring is the process that evaluates new innovations and feedback the company on suitable innovations (Law 1991). It is worth noting that if all the management processes are followed correctly, the effects of the automotive industry on environments would be reduced. For example, when a new innovation has been introduced in the industry, it is important to articulate on the advantages and disadvantages of the innovation. In this regard, when the automotive industry introduces a new model of their vehicles, it is crucial to have an assessment of the impact it has on the environment. For example, if the new model releases much carbon monoxide to the environment, an alternative model should be invented or even modify the current one. Nonetheless, the management process should not end there. A persistent follow up of the model need to be intensified in order to assess its effects on the environment. It is also important for governments to come up with laws regulating the automotive industry. One of the most effective ways of resolving the automotive industry effects on the environment is by initiating some measures which would focus on climate change and how the world can overcome them. For example the Kyoto protocol that discussed climate change in South Africa is a best move by the international community to curb the menace. However, some of the developed countries are opposed to the move by the decision to regulate gas emission in the atmosphere. 3 CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY 3.1 Introduction This section deals with description of the methods that was used in conducting the research. It is divided into the following subsections: research design, target population, sampling technique, research instruments, data analysis technique and ethical issues. 3.2 Research Design The study was carried out using the descriptive, cross-sectional survey design. The design involved collecting data on a sample or cross-section of the respondents was selected to represent the automotive industry and environmentalists. This study design aimed at investigating the problem by use of questionnaires. The descriptive survey design was appropriate because it does not deal with a single case but rather several cases sampled from the target population. This kind of study was concerned with gathering facts and/or figures rather than the manipulation of variables. 3.3 Target Population The study targeted both the environmentalists and the automotive industry officials. 3.4 Sample design and procedure The study used stratified random sampling. It involves identifying sub groups of the population representative of the percentages of those same subgroups in the general population being studied. Investigator found this sampling procedure appropriate because the target respondents were divided into two strata; automotive industry officials and the environmentalists. This argument is supported by the assertion that if the population from which the sample is drawn does not constitute a homogenous group, then stratified sampling technique will be applied to obtain a representative sample. 3.5 Sample Size The researcher randomly sampled a total of 38 environmentalists and two automotive industry officials. Purposive sampling was done on both the environmentalists and the automotive industry officials. 3.6 Data Collection Instruments and Procedures This study needed first hand information, which was received from respondents through questionnaires. 3.7 Data Analysis Procedure Data editing examined the collected new data to detect errors and omissions for correction to ensure accuracy and consistency. Data was coded and recorded on tally sheet after the systematic analysis of each individual variable for measuring completeness; occurrence and clarity because raw data collected from the field through primary data are never well organized for interpretation. The two statistical methods; descriptive and inferential analysis was applied to measure and determine the relationship that exists among the collected data. Descriptive analysis such as percentages, mean, mode was used to help to understand and interpret variables, distributions size, and relationship. The package (excel) is efficient, reliable, and able to sort and provide correlations between variables. Hence, excel was used for this purpose. 3.8 Ethical Issues For the purpose of this study, permission was sought from relevant authorities and a letter granted to allow carrying out the research. Furthermore, the purpose of the study was explained to the respondents and assured them of confidentiality of their responses and identities. 4 CHAPTER FOUR: DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS 4.1 Demographic Data A response rate of 100% was obtained in this study. Findings in this study indicate that the majority of respondents 21(52%) were female while male respondents were 19 (48%). Therefore, this study was sensitive on gender balance and equity. Source: Researcher (Analyzed data) 4.2 Environmental Effects Caused By Automotive Industry The majority of respondents 22 (54%) indicated that pollution is more prevalent in the industry. In addition 14 (36%) of respondents indicated that environmental degradation was also an effect, while 4 (10%) indicated that global warming was also as a result of pollution from the automobiles. According to the above results, it can be argued that Pollution is the most direct and obvious effects of automotive industry. However, other factors like global warming and environmental degradation were also caused but the automotive industry, though not as much as pollution. Source: Researcher (Analyzed data) 4.3 Characteristics of a Good Automotive Industry Majority of respondents 26 (65%) indicated that a good automotive industry should care about the environmental issues. On the other hand, 14 (35%) indicated that making huge profits by the automotive industry is one of the primary characteristics of a good automotive industry. Source: Researcher (Analyzed data) 4.4 Significance of Management Processes In this study, all the respondents rated the advantages of use management processes to have helped in reducing the environmental effects caused by the automotive industry. Source: Researcher (Analyzed data) 4.5 Problems Hindering The Implementation Of Management processes In Your Company. The majority of respondents 34 i.e. (85%) indicated that there were problems hindering implementation management processes in the automotive industry. However, 6 (15%) of respondents could not make up on their minds on whether or not there were any problems hindering implementation of management processes in the industry. Source: Researcher (Analyzed data) 4.6 Importance of Management Processes According to the study, 30 (75%) of respondents indicated that management processes were extremely important in the automotive industry. In addition, 10 (25%) indicated that management were important in the progress of automotive industry. Source: Researcher (Analyzed data) 4.7 Discussions The wasted products released to the environment by the automotive industry could be termed as very poisonous. Pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (BCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) can cause cancer and have also been associated with high prevalence of the disease. Other sources of pollution that people have been exposed to are air and water pollution. In fact, air pollution is highly caused by the automobiles. Many people have suffered from respiratory diseases such as asthma. Many also complain of eye problems because of toxic smoke billowing from the vehicles and other minor problems. It is important for the automotive industries to embrace the green culture. This can actively help in the reduction of the pollution levels. They should become more sensitive and more cautious with issues relating to the environment. The industry should be encouraged to manufacture hybrid automobiles which are electric driven which reduce the carbon fumes emitted into the environment. Laws and policies regarding pollution should also be put in place in order to accelerate manufacture and sale of the hybrid automobiles. The automotive industry brings about various problems, ranging from the physical risks to environmental. These include damage to assets resulting from flooding, rising sea levels, extreme weather events and storms. Manufacturing industries like the automotive and automobile as well as other players like tourism, farming and agriculture, insurance, forestry and fisheries could be mainly impacted (Fung 2010). Demand and supply of their products together with other services related to them bears the consequences. In terms of government regulation, the general automotive industry is subjected to the various legislative rules and regulations as per the constitution of the host nation or government. The laws are related to the vehicle safety and the environmental factors in the expansion of the automotive business. 4.8 Conclusion Since human beings play a great role in the variations of climate behavior more than the natural variations do, so this means that air pollution can be controlled if the man’s activities are controlled. The factors that contribute to the increased imbalance of ecosystems should be controlled as well. If some activities that encourage pollution are not for provision of basic needs, then alternatives should always be looked for. Practical environmental friendly automobiles need to be introduced. The problem is not technical rather it requires a political will. Bibliography: Adger, B 1995. Land Use and the Causes of Global Warming. New York: Blackwell. Horrigan, B 2009. Corporate Social Responsibility in the 21st Century: Debates, Models and Practices across Government, Law and Business, Edward Elgar Publishing, Cheltenham, UK. Law, C. M 1991. Restructuring the global automobile industry: national and regional Impacts. New York: Routledge. Paul, S et al. 1992. Global environmental change: understanding the human dimensions. Washington, D.C: National Academies Press. Sturgeon, T. et. al. 2008. Value chains, networks and clusters: reframing the global automotive industry. Journal of economic geography, pp. 1-25. Tyler, M and Scott, S 2009. Environmental Science. Belmont: Cengage Learning. Read More