Sustainable Management Futures - Essay Example

Sustainable Management Futures Table of Contents Scenario 3 Scenario 2 8 Scenario 3 10 Scenario Climate Change is considered to be a cultural, environmental as well as political phenomenon which is based on constant change. Mike Hume presents a unique and diverse way of understanding the phenomenon through considering different issues relating to politics, sociology and economics among others. He further depicted that climate change is not an issue or threat but acts as a catalyst for reversing our perception towards the issue. Different views are also established regarding climate change as a threat to global, national and ethnic security. It is also considered as a justification for commoditisation of atmosphere as well as inspiration for network in the global aspect. Therefore, it is a debatable concept that varies from person to person and their assumptions (Hulme, 2009). Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is regarded as a body of scientific intergovernmental that has been established on the appeal of different member governments. It was formed in the year 1988 by two organizations namely World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). IPCC has been viewed to render comprehensive assessment of information related to technical, scientific and socio economic aspects regarding risk associated with change in climate that are caused by activities of individuals, consequences in ecological along with socio-economic aspects among others. The major functions of IPCC are to prepare the assessment reports along with supporting other activities including National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme and Data Distribution Centre (Skodvin, 2000). The major findings of the report that published by IPCC concerning global warming can be observed as an occurrence action driven through human activity. Another assessment regarding global warming can be depicted as false notion on the part of the people conveying that global warming providing discernible influence on human beings based upon climatic conditions. The other assessment relating to the reports of IPCC regards global warming as the driving as well as the definitive force creating huge difficulties for mankind as well as for various organisations in the global context (American Liberty Publishers, 2013). It can be stated that global warming is considered to be increase in temperature. In order to discuss global warming has nothing to do with the emissions resulting from greenhouse gases, it has been viewed that greenhouse gases consist of several natural sources like oceans, volcanoes and plant respiration among others. It has been assumed that the imperative proponents of greenhouse gas include carbon dioxide and water vapour that are causing significant damages to the environment in terms of releasing emissions. It is worth mentioning that global occurring does not comprise any sort of natural resource but occurs due to the sudden rise in temperature affecting the whole environment at large. This particular facet of global warming depicts that it has nothing to do with the emission resulting from greenhouse gases (Global Warming: The Myth, Hype, and the Facts, n.d.). According to Stern review, it can be stated that the economy in the global context might shrink between 5 to 20%, if suitable measures for reduction of carbon emissions are not adopted as well as executed in the global context. In accordance with the report presented by Stern, it could be stated that global warming of around 3 to 4 degree Celsius would result in flood and drought on an extensive basis. Therefore, it can be stated that global warming could put a drastic effect on the existence of living organisms and creates a disturbance on the effective functioning of various activities in the environment (Osborne, 2013). Steps that can be taken by organization can be identified as securing the support of leaders and employees and understanding the way of developing inventories concerning greenhouse gases for the purpose of lessening carbon footprints. Another step for reducing carbon footprint can be identified as determining required information for calculating or examining emissions. Calculating or examining emissions along with recognizing and implementing the opportunities for decreasing emission can be considered as certain important steps for decreasing carbon footprint by a certain degree. The other step can be reporting the inventory of GHG and sharing concerned information with the stakeholders in the organisation resulting in lessening carbon footprint by a greater level (Cegesti, 2011). The main points related to the book written by Peter Senge can be depicted as follows. In the context of Chapter 1 of the book, Senge provides a description of making sustainable development along with other subject matters related to environmental features and disasters. The book also provides description of the effects of carbon emission on the environmental context. Moreover, Senge also stated about the wastes that are caused through recycling as well as reusing (Senge, & et. al., 2010). In Chapter 2, the book entails a description of industries and their conduction of operations of business in global markets. It also describes what strategies are applied by different organisations to decrease the problem of carbon emission as well as dealing with the issue of maintaining effective public relations (Senge, & et. al., 2010). Issues and problems faced by global warming for organizations in the national and global context can be identified particularly in the agricultural sector which is considered to be the most affected sector causing disruptions in the weather. In the context of travel and tourism, it can be observed that global warming affects soil erosion along with landslides, rise of sea level and shortage of water among others, damages to infrastructures, water precipitation and uncertainty in conduction of business activity on the global basis It can be stated that the businesses needs to be involved dealing with the issues of sustainability owing to the reason that the significant concern of sustainability plays an imperative part in supporting the modern organisations to sustain in this competitive landscape and attain superior competitive position(Maslin, 2007). Sustainability is considered as one of the important aspects for business. Businesses can flourish with the assistance of employees working in a team for fulfilling the organisational objectives at large. It can also be stated that with the existence of greater team work and productivity and services offered to the customers, sustainability can be maintained by a greater degree (Redclift, 2002). The aspect concerning duty and utilitarianism ethical perspectives influence the attitudes of business or individuals towards environmental sustainability can be better understood by citing an example. For instance, relating to the healthcare sector, it can be noted that pollution hampers the health of individuals by a considerable level and decrease in biodiversity makes loss of medicines. The moral standings are necessary for individuals as depletion of resource and climate change affects human beings of future generations more as compared to the present generations. Moreover, it can be stated that the actions and strategies taken on the part of human beings would have a significant effect upon the individuals in future resulting in influencing the attitudes if businesses or individuals towards environmental sustainability (Cochrane, 2007). Reduction of personal carbon footprint activities can be lessened by taking into concern certain significant aspects. These aspects comprise decreased consumption of energy by installing compressed florescent bulbs as well as reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and usage of water filter in place of bottled water among others (Climate Change Information Centre, n.d.) Carbon off-setting is a term that depicts decrease in carbon emissions resulting from greenhouse gases in the form of compensation. In relation to carbon trading, it can be affirmed that this particular aspect aids in obtaining targets of emission and transferring funds to lower emitters in the environment (Lamberton, 2010). Perception of Danger usually varies from individuals to individuals. It can be stated that risks and perception of danger is generally relied on emotional state and behavioural attitude of persons. Risks and danger are important facets and are directly or indirectly related to sustainability of an individual (Averill, 2011). According to the evidences provided, it can be stated from a broader perspective that size, growth and distribution often leads towards the intensification of population and raises the living standards of individuals in the modern day context. People with smaller families are able to split their earnings with the families and amid fewer individuals that increases the per capita income of individuals as well. This would lead to greater sustainability among peoples in the global context. But, in the modern day context, growth of population as well as poverty is increasing considerably, so the debate continues relating to the issue of sustainability in the global context (UNFPA, 2005). Scenario 2 Six conditions of whistle blowing that has been offered by De George can be categorized as permissive whistle blowing and mandatory whistle blowing. The conditions have been depicted hereunder. A. Any sort of harmful activity that would be carried out on the part of company to customers is considerable and serious. B. The employees have provided their concerns to the superiors in an organisation. C. There has been no satisfaction on the part of the employee from his or her superiors or supervisors and exhausted sources that were available within the organisation D. Reasonable and convincing evidences concerning safety of the public are appropriate. E. Strong evidences of maintaining public information would prohibit serious harms. F. Providing certain type of information of wrongful activities in organisations causing public harm (Richard Cheeks, 2011). Loyalty and integrity plays an imperative part relating to whistle blowing. Integrity from the standpoint of the managers would provide significant benefits in terms of developing several effective strategies. In this regard, the strategies might embrace ensuring conducting better welfare of whistleblowers, supporting management and staffs for managing to work effectively and establishing better financial position (Brown & Donkin, 2008). Disclosure Act of 1998 is considered as a bill that was established by the House of Representatives especially in the United States. The act describes rights of whistleblowers as well as evaluates the concerns related to wrongdoings (TSSA, 2012). Whistle blowing is important in the modern day context as effective whistle blowing culture promotes as well as fosters transparency and most vitally establishes effective communication amid the organisational members. In the negative aspect, it can be stated that employees usually takes the advantage of whistle blowing, through gathering vicious information of organizations and transfer them to others. Therefore, it can be stated that the aspect of whistle blowing possesses both negative along with positive dimensions (Loftus, 2012). It can be observed that in most of the societies, lying is considered as undesirable. But, it can be observed that most of the organisations use the concept of lying in order to deal with various critical business conditions for instance setting the distribution channels, developing the procedure of supply chain and recognising the chief stakeholders among others. Therefore, it can be stated that lying can be permissible in business transactions. It can also be stated that business can be ethical of it has the desire to follow various ethical guidelines while performing different operational functions (Loftus, 2012). In organizations, code of ethics is considered as a group of principles that requires guidance of principles concerning policies, programs and decisions for effective conduct of business. Ethical leadership is important and can be regarded as a central aspect for organisation as it helps them to manage employees and develop their operational performance by a greater level (Kelchner, 2013). Legal considerations are considered to be more important as compared to ethical considerations. This can be justified with reference to the fact that the organisations pay utmost attention towards legal considerations as the considerations aids them to resolve various crucial issues concerning incorporating legal forms, selecting the name of the company and establishment of contracts of the employees among others. For instance, a business had to undertake certain legal considerations for availing license in order to conduct business at the initial moment (Creative Skillset, 2013). Thus, on the basis of the above discussion, it can be affirmed that legal considerations are much significant for the different business organisations in comparison with ethical considerations. Scenario 3 It has been apparently observed that increase in quotas for women in executive board has been proposed particularly in European Businesses. In this similar concern, the European Commission has framed legislation ensuring the increase of quotas especially for women in executive board on a global basis. According to the Commission, with greater representation of women in executive boards, effective decisions can be made resulting in developing the economies at large (European Women’s Lobby, 2012). According to the report which presented by Lord Davies, it has been viewed that the organisations belonging to this modern day context are extensively making deliberate efforts regarding appointment of capable women or female employees in management boards. The modern organisations strongly realises that this particular approach would certainly help in bringing out fresh ideas and perspectives that could be beneficial for them towards experiencing better monetary growth and prospects (Davies, 2013). The report of “Ambition and Gender at Work” states that although the women workforce contributes in advancing the UK economy, their participation particularly in the top-executive positions is not inevitably proportional. The first wave concerning feminism was initiated in the end of 19th and initial 20th century that can be related with the environment of liberal and social politics along with urban industrialism. The second wave started in 1960s and continued in 1990s. This wave provided movements of civil rights and anti-war along with growing consciousness among minority groups throughout the globe. Post feminism initiated in the mid-90s. In this phase, the concept of universal womanhood, gender and hetreronormativity came into existence (Rampton, 2008). Barriers of women in top level executives can be identified by taking into concern certain significant aspects. These aspects comprise discrimination of sex, inadequacy of mentors and shortage of support from the family members among others (SAGE Publications, Inc.2013). Poverty has an adverse effect on women as it provides an effect on their living standards by a greater level. Poverty weakens the position of women concerning liberalization of trade policies, decrease in government expenditure, reduction level of public services and increasing cost. Lower wages and unemployment can also be considered as important aspects of poverty (Moghadam, 2005). Advantages of having more women on management board would help in bringing out fresh ideas and perspectives that could be beneficial for the organizations in terms of enhancing their respective decision-making procedure. Moreover, the other advantage of placing more women on management boards is better handling of the clients or the stakeholders as women are observed to have much patience as compared to men (Davies, 2013). References American Liberty Publishers, 2013. IPCC Global Warming Report. Home. Averill, D., 2011. Lean Sustainability: Creating Safe, Enduring, and Profitable Operations. CRC Press. Brown, A. J. & Donkin, M., 2008. Whistleblowing in the Australian Public Sector: Enhancing the Theory and Practice of Internal Witness Management in Public Sector Organisations. ANU E Press. Cochrane, A., 2007. Environmental Ethics. Internet Encyclopaedia of Philosophy. Climate Change Information Centre, No Date. Ways to Diminish Carbon Foot Print. Document. [Online] Available at: http://www.careclimatechange.org/files/CARE_docs/Diminish_Carbon_Footprint.pdf [Accessed May 11, 2013]. Davies, L., 2013. Women on Boards 2013: Two Years On. News.[Online] Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/women-on-boards-2013-two-years-on [Accessed May 11, 2013]. European Women’s Lobby, 2012. Women on Boards in Europe from A Snail are Pace to a Giant Leap? EWL Report on Progress, Gaps and Good Practice, pp. 3-19. Global Warming: The Myth, Hype, and the Facts, No Date. Global Warming: Myth vs. Reality. Look To the Skies. Hulme, M., 2009. Why We Disagree About Climate Change. Cambridge University Press, pp. 211-247. Kelchner, L., 2013. The Importance of Ethics in Organizations. Home. [Online] Available at: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/importance-ethics-organizations-20925.html [Accessed May 11, 2013]. Lamberton, G.W., 2010. An Ethical Response to Climate Change. Journal of Business Systems Governance & Ethics, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp. 12-26. Loftus, J., 2012. The Importance of Whistleblowing. Worksheets. Maslin, M., 2007. Global Warming: Causes, Effects, and the Future. MBI Publishing Company. Moghadam, V. M., 2005. The ‘Feminization of Poverty’ And Women’s Human Rights. SHS Papers in Women’s Studies/ Gender Research, No. 2, pp.1-39. Osborne, H., 2013. Stern Report: The Key Points. News. [Online] Available at: http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2006/oct/30/economy.uk [Accessed May 11, 2013]. Richard Cheeks, 2011. Criteria for Blowing the Whistle in an Engineering Context. University of Kentucky. Rampton, M., 2008. The Three Waves of Feminism. Pacific University, Vol. 41, No. 2. Redclift, M., 2002. Sustainability: Life Chances and Livelihoods. Routledge. Skodvin, T., 2000. Structure and Agent in the Scientific Diplomacy of Climate Change: An Empirical Case Study of Science-Policy Interaction in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Springer. Senge, P. & et.al., 2010. The Necessary Revolution. Broadway. SAGE Publications, Inc., 2013. Barriers to Womens Leadership. Study. TSSA, 2012. Public Disclosure Act 1998. Home. [Online] Available at: https://www.tssa.org.uk/en/Your-union/your-workplace/employment-rights/public-disclosure-act-1998.cfm [Accessed May 11, 2013]. UNFPA, 2005. Reducing Poverty and Achieving Sustainable Development. News. Read More