Operation
Designing a Sustainability Management System at BMW Group
The Designworks/USA Case Study
Kellie A. McElhaney and Michael W. Toffel
Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, USA
Natalie Hill
Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley, USA
G Sustainable management system (SMS) G Industrial design G Triple bottom line G Sustainability G UN Global Compact G Case study
This case study describes how an industrial design company developed a sustainability management system (SMS) standard, designed and implemented an SMS throughout its business, and then became the first company in the world to achieve third-party SMS certification by a third-party certification organisation.
Kellie McElhaney is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Corporate Responsibility and the Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Business at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on developing and analysing companies’ CSR strategy, and its fit with their core business objectives, core competencies, and link to generating business and social value. She also looks at the correlation between gender and CSR, and using CSR as a hook to re-engage women with business, as mid- to upperlevel managers, as consumers, and as shareholders. Finally, she writes case studies highlighting good practices of CSR within global companies. Michael Toffel’s research focuses on industry self-regulation, management standards, sustainable enterprise, and innovative environmental policy. He received a PhD at the Haas School of Business, where he is currently a postdoctoral scholar. He has worked as an environmental management consultant in the United States and as a director of environment, health and safety for companies throughout Southeast Asia. His work has been published in journals including California Management Review, Environmental Science and Technology, The Journal of Industrial Ecology and Business Strategy and the
The Designworks/USA Case Study
Kellie A. McElhaney and Michael W. Toffel
Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley, USA
Natalie Hill
Human Rights Center, University of California, Berkeley, USA
G Sustainable management system (SMS) G Industrial design G Triple bottom line G Sustainability G UN Global Compact G Case study
This case study describes how an industrial design company developed a sustainability management system (SMS) standard, designed and implemented an SMS throughout its business, and then became the first company in the world to achieve third-party SMS certification by a third-party certification organisation.
Kellie McElhaney is Adjunct Assistant Professor of Corporate Responsibility and the Executive Director of the Center for Responsible Business at the Haas School of Business, University of California, Berkeley. Her research focuses on developing and analysing companies’ CSR strategy, and its fit with their core business objectives, core competencies, and link to generating business and social value. She also looks at the correlation between gender and CSR, and using CSR as a hook to re-engage women with business, as mid- to upperlevel managers, as consumers, and as shareholders. Finally, she writes case studies highlighting good practices of CSR within global companies. Michael Toffel’s research focuses on industry self-regulation, management standards, sustainable enterprise, and innovative environmental policy. He received a PhD at the Haas School of Business, where he is currently a postdoctoral scholar. He has worked as an environmental management consultant in the United States and as a director of environment, health and safety for companies throughout Southeast Asia. His work has been published in journals including California Management Review, Environmental Science and Technology, The Journal of Industrial Ecology and Business Strategy and the
References: BMW Group (2001) Sustainable Value Report 2001/2002 (Munich: BMW Group, www.bmwgroup.com/ sustainability). Elkington, J. (1998) Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business (Gabriola Island, Canada: New Society Publishers). GMI 46 Summer 2004 © 2005 Greenleaf Publishing 115 kellie a. mcelhaney, michael w. toffel and natalie hill Global Reporting Initiative (2002) Sustainability Reporting Guidelines: 2002 (Amsterdam: Global Reporting Initiative, www.globalreporting.org). World Commission on Environment and Development (1987) Our Common Future (‘The Brundtland Report’; New York: Oxford University Press): 43. q 116 © 2005 Greenleaf Publishing GMI 46 Summer 2004