Sustainability: Ethical and Social Responsibility Dimensions
Faculty: Case Study Henry Siegel
Student:
Allen Johnson
National University
December 12, 2012
Table of Contents Introduction 3 Issues Raised 4 Textbook Questions 5 References 6
Introduction When making business decisions that impact the environment, there are often risks and issues that affect an organization. It is important to identify those issues and risks to promote sustainability. Stakeholders have concerns about different aspects of the environment and how organizations should respond to them through strategies and how they operate. A positive ethical culture can be created when a business shows concern for the environment. According to Ferrell, Fraedrich and Ferrell (2011) “corporate social responsibility performance has been found to increase employee’s company identification and commitment” (p. A-2).
Essential Facts
A major issue in the twenty-first century is the protection of our natural resources such as air, water, land, biodiversity, and renewable natural resources. Governments around the world have responded to pressures put on the sustainability of these resources by environmental protection laws. Companies have been increasingly incorporating these issues into their business strategies to not only reduce their own environmental impact, but to create a reputation as eco-responsible companies.
Issues Raised
Air pollution can harm animals, plants and bodies of water. There is a substantial amount of pollution that comes from man-made sources such as from factories, cars, planes and trains that have an effect on the quality of air we breathe. These conditions can reduce life spans and cause chronic respiratory issues in animals and humans. Some of the chemicals that are associated with air pollution have been known to contribute to birth defects, cancer and other damages to the human body. According to Ferrell, Fraedrich and
References: Ferrell, O. C., Fraedrich, J., & Ferrell, L. (2011). Business ethics: Ethical decision making and cases. (9th ed., Vol. ed.). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.