Sustainable Business: Key Issues

Description

Sustainable Business: Key Issues is the first comprehensive introductory-level textbook to address the interface between environmental challenges and business solutions to provide an overview of the basic concepts of sustainability, sustainable business, and business ethics. Fully updated for the third edition to take into account recent developments and trends, such as the climate emergency, COVID-19, and supply chain sustainability, this textbook introduces students to the background and key issues of sustainability and suggests ways in which these concepts can be applied in business practice. Though the book takes a business perspective, it is interdisciplinary in its nature and draws on knowledge from socio-economic, political, and environmental studies, thereby providing a critical understanding of sustainability in the changing paradigm of global business. It goes beyond the conventional theories of sustainability and addresses critical issues concerned with population, consumption, and economic growth. It discusses realistic ways forward, in particular, the circular economy and Cradle to Cradle frameworks. The book is both a theoretical and a practical study guide for undergraduate and postgraduate students of broad areas of sustainability, teaching ways to recognize opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship at the intersection of environmental, economic, ethical, and social systems. It takes a strategic approach in applying the power of business methods and policy to address issues of global importance such as climate change, poverty, ecosystem degradation, and human rights. This textbook is essential reading for students of business, management, and sustainability courses. It is written in an engaging and accessible style, with each chapter including case studies, discussion questions, and end of chapter summaries. Cover Half Title Series Page Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Table of Contents Figures Tables Boxes Preface to the third edition Abbreviations Section I: Key Concepts 1 Introduction: Key Concepts in Sustainability and Business What is this Book About? Business Sustainability Eco-Efficiency What links Business, Ethics, and Sustainability? Chapter Organization Case Study: Patagonia – ‘Don’t Buy this Jacket’ Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: How to Save the Planet: Degrowth vs Green Growth? 2 Business Ethics Linking Sustainability and Ethics Different Types of Ethics Corporate Social Responsibility Human Rights Labour Issues: Poverty, Pay, and Working Conditions Business and Poverty – ‘Bottom of the Pyramid’ Corporate Governance Case Study: Volkswagen’s Response to the ‘Emissions Scandal’: Was it Ethical? Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Volkswagen Management Game Section II: Critical Evaluation: Key Challenges 3 Environmental Challenges What is Meant by ‘Environment’? Environmental Problems Causes and Explanations Commodification of Nature Ecological Restoration and Pollution Control Ethical Considerations Case Study: Shell and the Sustainable Development Goals Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity 4 Social and Economic Challenges Poverty Economic Development Inequality and Development Post-colonialism and Neo-Colonialism Population Growth What is Sustainable Development? Business and Sustainable Development Case Study: Who is the Victim of Climate Change? Question Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Debate Whether Economic Growth can be Decoupled from an Increase in Consumption of Natural Resources 5 Key Challenges for Making Sustainability a Reality The Changing Global Business Environment Paradoxes of Sustainability Possibility Versus Dream Practical Challenges Globalization of Consumption Disputing the Mainstream Sustainable Business Models Short-Term Versus Long-Term Solutions Critique of the Triple Bottom Line Critique of ‘Sustainable’ Consumption Rebound Effect Tackling Oil Dependency and Climate Scepticism Ethical Challenges Intergenerational Justice Biospheric Egalitarianism Environmental Justice Versus Ecological Justice Charity Paradox The Question of Demographics The Role of Decision-Makers Case Study: Smartphones at School Questions Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: No Impact Man Section III: Globalization, Technology, and new Trends in Business 6 Globalization and Business What is Meant by Globalization? The Relationship Between Globalization and Sustainability Globalization of Technology Digital Technology Globalization of Neo-Liberal Democracy ‘Groupthink’ or Cultural Hegemony: Global Spread Theories of Development and Innovation Case Study Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Imagine you are the CEO of a Global Company 7 Strategic Change for Sustainability Sustainability and Competitive Advantage Role of Consultancies in Promoting Sustainability Case Study: ‘B Corp’ Certification Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Marketing a Green Enterprise 8 Human Resource Management, Green jobs and a Green Economy Knowledge and Skills: Human Resource Development Sustainability and HRM Continuing Professional Development UN Principles for Responsible Management Education Sustainability and Leadership Decent and Sustainable Work Green Jobs in a Green(ing) Economy Eco-Entrepreneurship Case Study: Unilever, Oxfam, and Labour Rights in Vietnam Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Imagine you are the Head of an HR Team Section IV: Solutions 9 Creating Sustainable Business Practice Government Regulation and Policy Environmental Management Systems Sustainable Supply Chain Management Change Management Eco-Labels Corporate Reporting Global Reporting Initiative Green Accounting Systems and Investment Strategies Case Study: Supply Chain Innovation within the Palm oil Industry Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Companies Meeting SDGs 10 New Strategic Thinking Structural and Social Solutions Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement Communication: ‘Talking the Walk’ Initiatives Understanding Sustainable Consumption Consumer Choice Editing Sharing Economy Realizing Impacts: Direct and Indirect Private and Public Action Business and NGO Cooperation Green and Ethical Investment Business and Technological Solutions Business Ecology Industrial Ecology Life Cycle Assessment Sustainable Design Biomimicry The Blue Economy Case Study: The Rise of ‘Slow Fashion’ Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Sustainable and Ethical Investment 11 Cradle to Cradle Cradle to Cradle: The Cycle of Rebirth Being ‘All Good’: Eco-Efficiency Versus Eco-Effectiveness Nutrient Cycles Challenges to C2C Case Study: OLIO: Addressing Food Waste via an Innovative Circular Business Model Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Converting an Existing Product into Cradle to Cradle 12 Towards a Circular Economy From Optimizing Existing Models to Revolutionary Change Background of the Circular Economy Concept Case Study: Philips’ ‘Pay-Per-Lux’ Product-Service System for Lighting Assessing Progress Towards Circularity Scaling up Circular Economy Closing the Loop Summarizing Hopeful Sustainability Frameworks Case Study: Creating a Circular Economy for Plastics: The Case of BarePack Case Study: The Circular Economy – Business as Usual or a Necessary Change? Key Terms Discussion Questions End of Chapter Summary Class Activity: Cradle to Cradle and a Circular Economy Glossary Bibliography Index