Sustainable Event Management in the Modern World - Essay Example

Sustainable Event Management Table of Contents Introduction 3 Literature Chapter 4 Complex Measurement of TBL 5 Systematic Approach 6 Compliance Mechanism 6 Discussion (Chapter 3) 7 Policy Critique 7 Gaps and Weaknesses 8 TBL to critique the Policy 9 Shortcoming and Problems 10 Conclusion 10 Recommendation 11 References 13 Introduction Global business environment is becoming highly competitive as several organizations within the similar industry are trying to adopt and implement unique strategies in business operation process in order to gain competitive advantages. Sports and tourism industry is one of the major economic growth drivers for several countries as the sporting events attract several people around the globe to visit one of the popular tourist spots. Countries can attain positive economic and social growth due to these reasons. London hosted the popular Olympic Games in the year 2012. This event made London one of the most popular cities around the world. However, it is true that London Olympics can be considered as one of the successful sporting events in terms of sustainability and economic benefits. The organizing committee did a marvelous job to maintain the sustainability of the event. Reportedly, this event succeeded to pull out large number of visitors around the globe with the help of location advantage of this sporting event. These reasons motivated to chose this event due to well-developed sustainability policies and location advantage for this event. Triple Bottom Line or TBL can be considered as one of the effective theories that help professionals and other individuals to measure and determine the sustainability of a particular event. It is true that London Olympics can be considered as one of the most sustainable sporting events. This TBL sustainable theory will help to measure environmental or ecological, social and financial or economical sustainability of London Olympics 2012. This theory will consider several factors, such as water recycling, zero solid waste, social development and economical sustainability of London while measuring and determining the sustainability of this event. As Olympic is one of the popular sporting events and London is one of the popular tourist spots across the globe, therefore London Olympics 2012 has been chosen to measure its sustainability. Literature Chapter It has been discussed earlier that Triple Bottom Line or TBL is one of the important theories that can help a professional to measure and determine the sustainability of a particular event. TBL is one of the effective theoretical frameworks that consist of three parts, such as financial or economical, environmental or ecological and social. These three parts are also referred as 3Ps, such as planet, profit and people. It is true that several leading organizations have adopted and implemented this par4ticular TBL theoretical framework in order to measure and evaluate the overall organizational performance in a broader context. This TBL theoretical framework was proposed and designed by John Elkington in the year 1994. Now-a-days, interest and attention in this TBL accounting has been increasing in non-profit, profit and government sectors. Overall, it can be stated that it is one of the most valuable and contemporary theories to measure and determine sustainability. Despite the effectiveness, there are several critiques who have criticized the effectiveness, significance and efficiency of this theoretical framework in measuring sustainability. According to the critiques, there are three major criticism of this TBL theoretical framework. These are described below. Complex Measurement of TBL According to Sridhar and Jones (2012), the measurement process of Triple Bottom Line theoretical framework is quite complex. Generally, the organizations use this theoretical framework to measure the intangible assets of an organization, such as reputation and loyalty. In some cases, it can be hazy as it is difficult for any measurement process to measure the accuracy and volume of intangible assets (Sridhar and Jones, 2012, p.94). It is clear from above discussion that TBL theoretical approach used to measure social, environmental and economic sustainability of an organization. Sustainability reporting generally done based on measured parameters. However, it is quite easy to assess the performance of an organization on these organizations qualitatively. But, quantitatively it is quite difficult to do so. The efficiency of each and every measurement depends upon its quantitative measurement. Somehow, the economic and environmental sustainability can be measured appropriately as these partially depend upon the quantitative measurement. But, in terms of social reporting, it can be stated that the social impact cannot be quantitatively valued. Therefore, the reported effect can be considered as much higher comparing to actual happening. Most importantly, social elements have different impacts on individuals and communities (Aras, G., and Crowther, 2009, pp.975-988). Therefore, it is quite difficult to analyze and find result based on sample studies. Last but not the least; there are several types of social issues that impact the sustainability of a society. Therefore, measuring and determining results on average basis can be considered as vague. Systematic Approach It is true that TBL is a systematic t5heoritical approach that depends upon the interrelationship between natural system and social; system. Systems theories generally comprised of interrelated part. Moreover, systems theories are greater than the total some of its integral parts. TBL is a systematic approach or a systems theory as it comprised of several interrelated parts, such as environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability. However, major limitation of this systems theory or this systematic approach is the lack of integration. It is known to all that this theory consists of three interrelated parts, such as economy, society and environment. Actually, this integration provides a significant picture to the entire community in terms of the effect of these three parts. This systematic approach often depends upon assumptions. It is true that sustainability reporting about society or any interrelated element should depend upon the integrity and existence. However, this assumption can hamper strategy development process of an organization based on sustainability reporting through TBL systematic approach. Compliance Mechanism It is true that organizations generally follow several corporation codes that are developed by the management and board of the organizations. Moreover, the organization used to provide sustainability reports based on those developed codes. TBL or Triple Bottom Line is such an approach that forces an organization to explore reports beyond the codes. Several organizations may not agree to do reporting beyond the developed codes due to maintaining good reputation in society and effective relationship with the important external and internal stakeholders. The idea of institutional isomorphism can be considered as a useful tool for realizing politic in this contemporary corporation life. Isomorphism can be considered as a constraining process that used to force one individual to act like other individual within an institution or a community depending upon the degree of environmental conditions or forces. Eventually, this process cannot be considered as realistic approach in several organizations in this modern contemporary business environment. Therefore, TBL theoretical approach can be considered as one of the most difficult compliance mechanism as an organization cannot act beyond the compliances. Discussion (Chapter 3) This chapter of the essay will critique the policies that were developed in 2012 London Olympics. Policy Critique It is true that organizing committee of London Olympics have developed several sustainable policies in order to bring out success from this particular event. In terms of sustainable issues, the committee has focused on three different sustainability parameters, such as environmental sustainability, social sustainability and economic sustainability. Renewable energy resources, water recycling, zero solid waste, carbon neutral, green construction and environment-friendly construction materials were highlighted in the policy development process (Cslondon, 2012, p.1). The committee and stakeholders desperately tried to follow the policies and maintain sustainability quite effectively. But, these policies were criticized be several critiques due to several reasons. First of all, the committee tried to ensure the use of renewable energy use. It is true that, when London bid for hosting Olympics 2012 in the year 2005, they have tried to ensure that the game will be hosted and completed depending upon the base on carbon neutrality. But, according to several critiques, it is not possible for any developing or developed countries to make an event 100 percent carbon neutral due to several external; factors that can definitely release carbon elements into the air or water. According to the policy critiques, the committee or organizers may have convinced that they will reduce the emission level comparing to past years. It is one of the critical policy criticisms of 100 percent carbon neutralism. Gaps and Weaknesses Despite the serious concentration and different tries, it is quite clear that there were several gaps and weaknesses in the policy development and implementation process. According to the policy, the sporting event should be 100 percent carbon neutral. Moreover, it was mentioned in the policy that the event will maintain zero solid waste and recycle rainwater (Olympic, 2013, p.1). Moreover, the organizers and committee co0mmitted that the events will be completed based on the usage of renewable energy resources. Most importantly, it is highly important for the committee to maintain sustainability of entire country. Use of rainfall water may have justified the sustainability of the event. But, this recycling of rain water can create water crisis in near future that can hamper the environmental or ecological sustainability of entire country. Drought and loss of rain fall can be considered as the major consequence of havoc use of natural rainwater. This can be considered as one of the most critical gap and weakness of this developed sustainable policy. Secondly, use of renewable energy sources also can be considered as an effective initiative towards the maintenance of the sustainability of the event. On the other hand, havoc use of water and other natural resources to generate energy can be considered as huge cost consuming. Moreover, it requires huge manpower that can create several social issues. Moreover, similarly it can affect the ecological balance as use of rain water in energy generation process can reduce the availability of natural resources, which can pose serious threat to the mankind. TBL to critique the Policy It has been mentioned earlier that TBL or Triple Bottom Line theoretical approach can be considered as an important framework to measure and determine the sustainability of a particular event. In this case, TBL framework will be applied in order to criticize the sustainability of developed policy of London Olympics 2012. TBL theoretical framework consists of three Ps, such as people, planet and profit. In terms of people, the organizing committee of London Olympics has mentioned in sustainability report that the event will followed by social sustainability parameters developed in the policy. But, unfortunately the committee lacked behind this commitment due to some issues. First of all, the committee faced several employment issues, such as wage distribution issues and long working hour issues. Moreover, lack of stakeholder engagement in decision making and strategy development process affected the sustainability of the society. This aspect hampers the sustainability of the project. In terms of planet, the organization has used several natural resources, such as wind, water, soil and other resources to ensure sustainability. But, havoc use of rain water and other resources can limit the availability of useful resources in nature. Therefore, it might create future environmental issues, such as water crisis, drought and low rain fall. Last but not the least; it can also be stated that London Olympics 2012 has generated huge revenue comparing to previous events. But, use of wind and water energy has increased its overall operation cost as it required huge manpower and execution effort (Action sustainability, 2013, p.1). This aspect hampered profit or economic sustainability. Shortcoming and Problems It is clear from the above critiques, analysis and discussions that the organizing committee tried their level best to maintain sustainability of this event through the development of sustainable and green policies. But, lack of integration and efficiency created some shortcomings and problems. First problem is carbon neutrality as it is impossible for any organizer of an event to maintain carbon neutrality during that event (Jones, 2009, p.18). It is the first shortcoming of the policy. Secondly, havoc use of natural resources to maintain sustainability can be considered as second shortcoming as it can create future environmental crisis. Already, several parts of the world are facing, serious and critical issues, such as water crisis. It has been predicted that, water crisis can hamper the health of several emerging and developed countries in near future. Lastly, inadequate business operation cost management can be considered as one of the major shortcomings of this event. Therefore, it can be stated that London Olympics 2012 is not 100 percent successful. Conclusion It is clear from above discussion that London Olympics 2012 can be considered as one of the most important and popular sporting events. It was a successful event within the sports and tourism industry. This industry can be considered as an integral part of the hospitality industry. This success of this specific industry depends upon the constant visit of sports loving people to the organized location. This concept drives both sports and tourism industry at a glance. However, the organizers or the committee members of London Olympics tried to maintain sustainability during the event. Therefore, they have developed several sustainable green policies to ensure sustainable event. However, the organizers somehow failed to maintain this due to several reasons. Havoc use of natural resources somehow justified the sustainability of the event. But, most importantly it has created the possibility of future environmental crisis. Now-a-days, the entire world is suffering from environmental issues. Moreover, it is true that the organizing committee ensured that the event will be 100 percent carbon neutral. But, in reality the organizer failed to fulfill their commitment. According to several critiques, it is really hard for the stakeholders to maintain the 100 percent carbon neutrality. However, the organizers admitted that they tried to reduce the carbon emission level during the event. But, it was their false statement to maintain 100 percent carbon neutralism. These issues actually hampered the overall sustainability process of London Olympics in the year 2012. Recommendation Despite the policies, the organizing committee of London Olympics has faced several criticisms due to some inadequacies in the policy development process. Following recommendation process would have made the policies more fruitful. First of all, the policy makers and organizers should have focused on recycling of waste waters instead of the use of rain water. It is true that both are sustainable process. But, looking into the future consequences, use of waste water and maintaining zero solid waste should have improved the efficiency of the developed policies. Secondly, the organizers should have focused on the stakeholder engagement in decision making process. It is true that the organizing committee faced several employment issues. Stakeholder engagement would have helped the organization to abolish these issues and problems. It is true that, in future, London will try once again to host the Olympics as this sporting event is real revenue generator. But, employment issues in this event can create negative image of the committee in society. Moreover, it can reduce the reputation in the eyes of the stakeholders. As a whole, it can create several legal issues in case of violation of the developed codes. Last but not the least; the organizing committee should have developed long term vision and action plans based on the existing issues of previous issues. It should have helped the organization to reduce the possibility of error during policy development and implementation process. References Action Sustainability., 2013. 2012 Olympics: a mixed record so far on environmental issues. [Online]. Available at: http://www.actionsustainability.com/news/174/2012-Olympics-a-mixed-record-so-far-on-environmental-issues/. [Accessed on October 8, 2014]. Aras, G., and Crowther, G., 2009. Making sustainable development sustainable. Management decisions, 47(6), pp. 975-988. Cslondon., 2012. Sustainable Games? [Online]. Available at: http://www.cslondon.org/sustainable-games/. [Accessed on October 8, 2014]. Jones, V., 2009. The Green Collar Economy. London: Routledge. Olympic., 2013. One year on from the London 2012 Olympic Games, the sustainability benefits of the event are still being felt. [Online]. Available at: http://www.olympic.org/news/london-2012-s-sustainability-legacy-lives-on/205777. [Accessed on October 8, 2014]. Sridhar, K., and Jones, G., 2012. The three fundamental criticisms of the Triple Bottom Line approach: An empirical study to link sustainability reports in companies based in the Asia-Pacific region and TBL shortcomings. [PDF]. Available at: http://download.springer.com/static/pdf/852/art%253A10.1007%252Fs13520-012-0019-3.pdf?auth66=1412680984_cca8490593d4a266182fa532e38e3cd2&ext=.pdf. [Accessed on October 8, 2014]. Read More