Management Practices and Business Sustainability - Assignment Example

Prepare Exam Paper Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Question 3 Consequential and Non-Consequential Business Drivers of Green Practices in the Workplace 3 Different Ethical Approaches to Achieve Sustainability 4 Application of Green Practices 6 CSR Strategy into Tactical/Operational Practices Local and International 7 Question 2 9 Digital Native and Their Social Behaviors 9 Impact of Digital Natives Behaviors in the Workplace 10 Potential Impacts of Negative Behaviors on Individuals 11 Potential Impacts of Negative Behaviors on the Organization 12 Company Strategies and Policies to Mitigate Risk for the Organization 13 Question 1 Consequential and Non-Consequential Business Drivers of Green Practices in the Workplace Rapid growth and innovation is often regarded as one of the strategies for sustaining in the highly competitive market of the post-modern era. In this regard it can be stated, organizations are focusing on various ways to implement green practices in the workplace rendering greater significance towards their responsibility concerning the environment. A few local authorities are providing incentives to encourage business organizations for implementing green practices in the workplace. Furthermore, the infrastructure cost that the organizations bear every month can be reduced to some extent by conserving energy in the workplaces. Moreover, paper free environment, recycling and reusing of supply materials are a few of the measures implemented by organizations to save fixed costs employed every month. Other benefits achieved by organizations for adopting eco friendly practices, is the recognition of awareness towards the society. In other words, organizations’ that attempt to reduce the rate of emissions released by the factories portray the image that they are concerned about the consequences of environmental degradations. Hence, consumers are aware that the organization will restrict itself from using anything that can harm the environment thereby, enhancing the goodwill and customer perceived values towards the betterment of the organization. Furthermore, few countries are providing the benefits of Social Economic Zone (SEZ) certifications to the organizations that are reputed in implementing green practices in their workplace. The SEZ is referred to be such areas where government provides subsidies in terms of property tax, waste management costs and other monetary discounts, that reduce the overall fixed cost incurred by the organizations. Consequentially, with the increasing significance towards environmental protection, organizations are emphasizing increasingly on the benefits of recycling through which the used furnitures and second-hand technology products can be reused by various charitable institutions that are providing free education to the poorer children. In this way the brand is quite likely to enhance its popularity amid the market and simultaneously contributing towards the overall development of the society. Furthermore, health and safety issues are also regarded as two of the significant drivers for executing green practices in workplaces. Setting up of ‘no smoking’ zones, can also benefit passive smokers from the hazardous effect caused by tobaccos in the workplaces. Moreover, staying healthy and implementing cautionary measures for ensuring safety of the employees can further help to reduce staff absenteeism and likewise contribute to the overall productivity of the organization. Different Ethical Approaches to Achieve Sustainability The modern communication technologies have enabled organizations for providing flexible working conditions that have been examined to increase its overall productivity level encouraging satisfaction amid the employees and consequentially amid the customers. ‘Work from home’ can be identified as one of the modern trends that have evolved over time. It reduces real estate costs and allows employees to work during non-office hours. Furthermore, office supplies, furniture costs and other operational requirements are minimized, hence decreasing the fixed costs as well as wastage of resources by a considerable extent. Recycling packaging materials can be identified as another strategy, currently being implemented by various organizations, in order to maintain their sustainability by contributing towards effective waste management and the development of the environment at large. For instance, the China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd (CIMC) have initiated to pack their products in new generation containers that are environment friendly and can be recycled. The considerable fact that the increased global warming issues are in some extent the cause of releasing polluting emissions by the factories, these strategies are becoming crucial to be followed. Therefore, organizations have also focused on making use of low emission chemicals in their factories in order to reduce the pollution level to preserve a healthy environment. Furthermore, the initiatives made towards energy conserving, waste management and supplier management are encouraging governments to provide subsidies that can further help to maintain sustainability in the highly competitive market. Contribution and commitment towards the local communities can be regarded as another ethical approach adopted by organizations to maintain sustainability. This may include providing unused furniture or technologies to educational institutions that are engaged with providing free education to children. Furthermore, organizing programmes and campaigns that educate local people about the measures to adopt in order to improve the environment are being largely focused by modern organizations. It has been observed further that organizations are highlighting the advantages of using solar technologies that will conserve energy by reducing electricity costs to a certain limit. Application of Green Practices In today’s scenario, organizations are identified to be using reusable packaging materials and recycling supplies such as aluminum, paper, plastic and cardboards for reducing wastages. Adopting a paper free environment further tends to enable organizations from buying paper; thereby, saving trees that are used as raw materials in the paper industries. In addition, companies are encouraging its employees and customers for using electronic documents such as electronic bills considering the notion that the strategy of maintaining a paper free environment will help to protect important documents from being destroyed by accidental consequences such as fire or loss due to human negligence. Furthermore, the electronic documents will reduce the printing costs as it is sent through emails. Based on these assumptions, organizations are supervising and communicating the benefits of conserving energy by switching off lights, computers and air conditioners which are not being used. Besides, organizations are observed in modifying the lighting system by replacing existing lights with the fluorescent lights that are supposed to consume less energy. Companies are also becoming increasingly interested in spending one time higher costs for purchasing energy-efficient appliances such as electric coffee and tea maker which are different from traditional practices of using fire-enabled cooking systems. This strategy of employing electric appliances reduces the risk of fire emergencies that may damage the infrastructure at a cost of minimum electricity usage. Modern technologies have enabled organizations to employ flexible working systems such as video conferencing which assists employees to work from home; thereby, reducing travelling time and costs. It also increases the level of satisfaction amid the workforce and motivates employees towards increasing productivity level. Additionally, companies are also observed to be implementing automated technologies in the restrooms that can reduce the wastage of water by a certain extent. Due to the innovative and creative trend that has evolved due to increased competition, it has become quite necessary to alter interiors at frequent attempts. Therefore, companies are purchasing furniture which can be easily dismantled and assembled for rapid changes in the interior set ups. CSR Strategy into Tactical/Operational Practices Local and International Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is rapidly gaining significance in the operations of an organization. It has been observed that modern businesses are implementing environment friendly practices in their operations which can be identified as eventually contributing to the development of the society. The realization of companies that they can contribute to the development of environment has made organizations to attract shareholders and be a part in community growth. For instance, CIMC has introduced “dream work” container initiative which was able to generate ideas for setting up of automated plants for manufacturing. The automated plants have ensured efficiency in the production line; thereby, making the plant one the safest operating environments. Furthermore, the initiative has been rated as one of the best in conserving energy with reduced consumption, enabling increased environmental protection. In addition, the automated plants have minimized operational cost by minimizing human capital expenses by a considerable extent. CIMC has invested huge capital in spraying units that consumes lesser energy and minimizes carbon emission rate that is examined to be quite harmful for the environment. Furthermore, the organization is implementing strategies that can recycle a large quantity of the gas wasted while painting in the production process. In addition the company has adopted advanced wastewater treatment process that enables to control the discharge of factory wastewater and utilize the treated water for cleaning purposes. Moreover, to control noise pollution, CIMC has implemented sound-absorbing materials which restrict the sound of machineries from flowing outside. In addition, it has installed sound insulators that attempt to reduce noise inside the workshops; thus, providing comfort-ability to the workers. International Standards Organization (ISO) has set numerous standards in terms of protection to the environment, human rights and consumers as well. However, it is the responsibility of the organizations to implement identified strategies that are feasible for them. Therefore, in order to augment the CSR initiatives, the ISO has set a permissible level concerning the emission that is released by factories. Furthermore, it has implemented laws that protect the interests of the employees restricting any injustice performed by the organization that hampers the social interest by a certain degree. Thus, it can be stated that the ISO have left it to the local authorities to set up standards that they feel is acceptable towards preserving the environment. However, it is worth mentioning that responsibility for protecting the environment generally bestows upon business organizations which will help to maintain its sustainability. Question 2 Digital Native and Their Social Behaviors In today’s generation, digitalization has been regarded as one of the common phenomena in all aspects of life. Be it education, lifestyle or communication networks, digital technology is often considered as the prime source. Today, the world has adapted the digital technologies by a large degree where students, from their early childhood, are familiar with the features and technicalities of most of the digital technologies such as, videogames, mobile phones, computers and music players among others. Due to this advancement of modernization, young generations’ thinking process and fundamental activities have drastically changed over their predecessors. Thus, the connection between today’s young generation and digital technologies, have evolved a brand name by which they are known as “Digital Natives” owing to the fact that they are the inhabitant speakers of the digital language. It has been observed that the Unique Selling Point (USPs) of digital natives is equivalent in accordance with the digital technologies. The multitasking ability, enhanced creativity, openness to distribute contents and rapidly adapt to the demanding situations or technologies are a few of the characteristics possessed by digital natives. It is in this context that the term ‘digital natives’ became common after 1980s, when computers were steadily emerging as the common technological advancement. Consequentially, the concept of digital technologies has changed the preconceived notion that learning cannot be fun. It has been noted in this regards that digital technologies has also penetrated into the educational system and has apparently played a significant role in altering the overall styles of providing education. The difference between the digital natives and older generation is that the young generation has been habituated since a very young age with the use of digital technologies; whereas, older generation have adopted it because of the fascinating qualities and conveniences it provides. Furthermore, the digital technologies have provided individuals with the flexibility of working and ensured that individualism trait is possessed by each employee. Moreover, the digital world has provided tools that have the capabilities to bring out the creative potentials of an individual, offer opportunities to exchange information, ensure authenticity and challenge the default way of working culture. Impact of Digital Natives Behaviors in the Workplace In the contemporary era, internet has often been regarded as the backbone of digital natives through which the younger generations are portraying different creative activities. The entry of these digital natives into the workplace will ensure flow of technological knowledge and enhanced professional behavior towards the organization and its coworkers. Furthermore, it has been observed that because of their connections with the digital world, the younger generations possess distinct skills being highly career-oriented which can be identified as quite distinctive from that possessed by the previous generations. The fundamental concept of ethical considerations is that private information should not be shared. However, the current generation, being largely accustomed with the digital technologies, is comfortable about sharing their personal information and welcomes the openness of culture. Private issues are no more the constraints of individuals as online communities have benefitted them from connecting and sharing information among peers. Therefore, the openness nature of today’s generation may pose a threat to organizations where privacy is given the prime importance. Furthermore, due to the highly self-assured character trait, probabilities of ignoring certain issues related to their activities do exist. However, a few positivist features are associated with the entry of digital natives into a workplace. Their creativeness and eagerness for experimenting have enabled many organizations from using privacy specific tools, designed by the new generation. Especially, the financial institutions which tend to deal with the individuals’ money and assets have been the most prominent beneficiaries from using hi-tech digital tools that have evolved from the participation of digital inhabitants into the workplace. Moreover, digital technologies has made the work of HR professionals lot easier in terms of maintaining records, disbursement of salaries, quality recruitment and effective appraisals through performance monitoring. Thus, the positive impacts of digital inhabitants have enabled HR professionals to enhance motivational levels and provide strategized training in areas where an employee is identified as lacking. Potential Impacts of Negative Behaviors on Individuals The entry of digital inhabitants can de-motivate existing employees as they might feel that appraisal priorities will be given to the most advanced and technologically sound employees possessing a feeling of inferiority. Furthermore, the communication gap that may arise due to the technological introduction may create complexity in evaluating the weaknesses of an employee and strategizing separate methods of skills development. However, digital communications do not encourage face-to-face interactions due to which body languages of the participants engaged cannot be analyzed. Hence, individual employees may not effectively realize the actual intentions or motives behind an individuals’ statement or views. Potential Impacts of Negative Behaviors on the Organization A common trend observed in the digital natives’ behavior is the ability of multi tasking. Although, this ability is considered as an advantage of the modern generations, this can impact negatively on the performance of the organization. For instance, a new generation employee is noted to process few tasks, while simultaneously communicating with friends or co-workers through chatting via messengers or listening to music. Therefore, probabilities of human error might increase which can cost the organization by a great deal. Furthermore, organizations that have structured norms and are based on hierarchical style of operating may face difficulties while employing digital inhabitants as their behavior and nature are more accustomed with independent and collaborative style of working. Additionally, digital natives are more familiar with experiential training which most of the organizations may not have adopted or rather focused on when executing a lecture-based training program. Moreover, the digital natives may find it uncomfortable in respecting the seniors or experienced staffs; hence, a sense of mutual un-comfortness may prevail along the workplace; thereby, affecting the working environment. Communication gaps may further increase which can result in reduced bonding among the members of the team. Thus, it can be assumed that companies which rely on team efforts and those which employ collectivist working culture may face various difficulties due to the distinct features and beliefs of digital natives. Independency and openness is the kind of working style preferred by the digital natives which at times can affect the working environment of the organization as well. Company Strategies and Policies to Mitigate Risk for the Organization The foremost thing an organization must do is facilitate the use of social networks in the workplace considering the fact that the new generation has grown as quite frequent in using social networks and media for updating everyday activities. Furthermore, the digital natives’ are increasingly concerned regarding the technological environment employed by the organization. They look through the facilities and expect flexible working styles to be adopted by the organization. Therefore, it has been observed that the modern generations prioritize other factors such as work mobility, social media freedom and device flexibility over monetary factors while accepting job offers. Preconceived notion that device flexibility will lead to distraction and increase mistakes; however, have been observed as enhancing efficiency and customer orientation, thereby increasing competitiveness. Contextually, digital natives tend to judge the superiority of an individual on the basis of their technological intelligence which can even lead to providing inappropriate level of respect to the senior employees. Furthermore, they are familiar with receiving feedbacks constantly from their managers and superiors which lack in the traditional working culture. Therefore, the managers need to provide feedbacks and ensure that two way communications prevail along the various dimensions of the organization. Moreover, command-and-control way of working may not be appropriate while employing digital natives, as they are brought up questioning their parents and teachers which are likely to be experienced by their superiors. Thus, companies willing to employ digital natives should come up with creative ideas to balance the work-life aspects of the new generations. Furthermore, they should be given leverage in operating independently by providing time and activity control in their own hand. In addition, restrictions to use social media must be levied to a certain level so that it does not clash with the production level of the digital natives. Read More