A. Rusanov
Ye. Baklanov
Alfred Nobel University, Dnipropetrovsk
SUSTAINABLE
MANAGEMENT: STEPS TO A GREENER OFFICE
Sustainable
management combines the concepts from sustainability and management.
Sustainability has three branches: the environment, the needs of present and
future generations, and the economy. Using these branches, it makes the system
run without depleting resources, maintains economic viability, and also
satisfies the needs of the present and future generations. Sustainable
management has the application of sustainable practices in the categories of
businesses, agriculture, society, environment, and personal life by managing
them in a way that will benefit current generations and future generations [1].
Sustainable
management is needed because it creates the ability to successfully maintain
the quality of life on our planet. Sustainable management can be applied to all
aspects of our lives. For example, the practices of a business should be
sustainable if they wish to stay in businesses, because if the business is not,
then it falls out of the competition. Communities are in a need of sustainable
management, because if the community wants to prosper, then the management must
be sustainable. Sustainable management can be applied to many things, as it can
be applied as a literal and abstract concept [1].
We are
living in the industrial age where everything is a producer – consumer chain.
In order to satisfy consumer demands huge factories and plants emit millions of
tons of various pollutants and this way or the other exhaust Earth’s resources.
Environmental issues are a sensitive subject. The opinions around this topic
are very different and are usually polarized, particularly when government
policy or the long-term view is concerned.
Obviously,
sustainable initiatives are fundamentally important for certain consumers no
matter what personal opinion you prefer to adopt. In fact, companies'
environmental efforts (or lack of them) do not produce a desirable effect on
consumers.
Big
names such as Microsoft® and Wal-Mart® are now working on major sustainable
initiatives such as harnessing renewable energy, and this both differentiates
them and enhances the power of their brands [1].
Why
does sustainable management matter so much for big companies worldwide?
Organizations that prefer to manage their activity in accordance with
environmentally-friendly policy receive an improved brand and company image.
This is indicated in the report published by MIT Sloan Management Review.
Employee
health can represent another significant reason for changing to sustainable
management. For example, improving indoor air quality and avoiding strong
chemical cleaning agents can help those who suffer from respiratory illnesses
or skin conditions.
Going sustainable
can also make your relationships with the customers, suppliers government
agencies, and the media more positive. Many people and institutions now expect
organizations to reduce their impact on the environment, and when you can prove
that your company is a "good corporate citizen", they become
satisfied.
Sustainable
initiatives can also reduce costs. The savings depend on the size of your
organization and the steps you take to reduce energy consumption, but some
businesses have seen utility bills fall by 20 percent or more.
Finally,
sustainable initiatives can stimulate innovation. Some companies have
discovered new sources of revenue – or even entirely new products – after
starting sustainability efforts. Others have found that going sustainable has
helped them manage risks more effectively, enter new markets, use resources
more efficiently, and improve their competitive position.
Seven
Steps to a Sustainabler Office:
1. Watch Power Use. Replace regular bulbs
with compact fluorescent bulbs (CFLs) or light-emitting diode bulbs (LEDs).
Encourage team members to turn off lights when they aren't using them. Finally,
make use of natural light to save power. If practical, rearrange workspaces to
take advantage of light from windows, and turn off overhead lights. This is
also an important part of creating a healthy workplace.
2. Think Twice Before Purchasing.
3. Use Reusable Products. For example,
disposable cups, plates, eating utensils
in the break room can be replaced with conventional ones and a dishwasher will
help washing them afterwards.
4.
Plant Trees. Where it is practical, you can save energy and improve the
appearance of your work environment by planting trees around your building. You
can also reduce costs and improve energy efficiency by shading your air
conditioning unit from hot summer sun.
5.
Telecommute. Allow team members to work from home one or more days each week.
This can yield great benefits for both your organization and the environment.
6.
Limit Business Travel. Technology has made it possible for organizations to
limit business travel without this having a knock-on effect on efficiency.
7.
Create a "Sustainable Team". A sustainable team creates and monitors
environmental initiatives that are tailored to your organization. Members are
responsible for seeking new ways to lighten the organization's footprint, and
should also report on it. You can use their findings to customize future
efforts towards the needs of your organization.
Sustainable
management appeals to both consumers and staff. It makes a powerful statement
about your brand, improves employee health, reduces staff turnover, and can
impact your bottom line.
Regardless
of your opinions on environmental issues, there are compelling business reasons
for thinking carefully about sustainable management.
Another
important issue is to reduce energy consumption and waste in supply chains. Paul
Brody and Mondher Ben-Hamida are supply chain experts for IBM Global Business
Services and they offer 12 steps for companies to make their supply chains
“greener,” more efficient and more cost effective. These apply to all major
industries, such as electronics, retail, food and beverage, consumer packaged
goods, industrial etc.
1. Redesign
the product. Even simple changes to a product design can reduce energy
consumption and waste throughout the product life cycle. Innovation or new
technologies may make it possible to eliminate components or ingredients
entirely and thereby shorten the supply chain.
2. Reconfigure manufacturing. Reducing energy use
and limiting use of pollutants and toxic materials can have a big impact on how
green the supply chain is. With the application of a product lifecycle
management process it becomes possible to take into account green issues.
3. Shift to green suppliers. Green suppliers may
sell at higher costs but this can have a considerable effect on the carbon
implications of bringing products to market. An analysis of alternative
suppliers may reveal potential benefits from such change.
4. Shorten distances. Rationalization of
sources, assembly and distribution in relation to markets may bring change to travel
distances and the amount of fuel burnt. For some products, simply working with
suppliers who are closer to major markets can significantly reduce energy use.
5. Alter service-level agreements. The cost paid for
carbon dioxide emission should be added to the traditional measurements of
cost, quality and service when the effectiveness of a supply chain is evaluated.
6. Shrink packaging. The advancement in
the sphere of new materials and designs allow companies to make packaging
smaller and lighter. This leads to holding more in shipping containers and
trucks and, thus, to carry more products in a load. Improved package designs
can also lead to simpler recycling.
7. Plan for reverse supply chain activity. Products that are
reclaimed from the market for upgrade, refurbishment, recycling or disposal
require some kind of reverse supply chain. By doing so it is possible to reduce
high waste and energy costs. How products are originally designed, assembled,
labeled, and packaged can have a profound effect on the efficiency of any
reverse supply chain.
8. Consolidate shipments. There is a reason why
some company charge less or even nothing for shipping if you consolidate your
order and have all items shipped at once – it saves them money.
9. Plan smarter routes. Planning of distribution
routes and choosing the right transportation modes will allow considerable
annual saving of petroleum. Modern technology, e.g. software planning tool, will
assist in it.
10. Coordinate with partners. Careful
coordination with allies both upstream and down will provide many opportunities
to make your supply chain greener or more transparent. Be prepared to share
your goals and plans and incorporate plans and priorities of others into your
solutions.
11. Take a life-cycle view. Look at the whole
life of the product to understand where energy is being used and find
opportunities. Energy used while a product is in service can be significant.
12. Start now. The opportunity to eliminate
waste and pollution is becoming an increasingly important criterion for buyers.
Opportunities that deserve investment immediately should be analyzed first. [3]
REFERENCES:
1.
Sustainable management. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Available
at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sustainable_management.
2.
Green Management. Taking Steps Towards a Greener Brand. Available at https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/green-management-tips.htm
3.
12 Steps To A ‘Greener’ Supply Chain. Available at: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2008/11/30/12-steps-to-a-greener-supply-chain/
Scientific supervision by A.Y. Gluha
Language supervision by S.I. Medynska,
Senior Lecturer