...Measuring sustainability Performance in Higher Education: Implementing a Sustainability Scorecard By Toni Washington Gov’t & Not for Profit – ACC 410 Prof. Sandra Smith March 14, 2012 1. Determine how SU specifically gained support for implementing the STARS model and whether this was good management practice. In the beginning, when SU began the participation in the STARS pilot program, some of the faculty was not interested in participating. SU gained support for implementing the STARS model once people began to understand the importance of it and how it would help each campus and the individual departments. Some felt that the students should have been able to participate in the pilot program rather than just certain student organizations. 2. Determine the most difficult challenge faced by SU in implementing the STARS model. The most difficult challenge faced by SU in implementing the STARS model was getting the faculty to participate. Some did not respond to the survey nor did they provide any information pertaining to their teaching or research. It was probably mainly due to the fact that they did not understand what was meant by sustainability-focused or related teaching and research pertaining to particular programs. 3. Analyze whether or not SU’s participation in the STARS pilot study will/did add value to the institution. SU’s participation in the STARS pilot study did add value to the institution by pointing out the different things...
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...Semester 1, 2012 Week 9: Innovation II Product Innovation Dr Gary Buttriss 9.1 What is a product-service system? What may be the impact on its own sustainability of a corporation currently providing products moving towards a product-service system? (See especially reading 9.1.) Answer • What is a product-service system • “A marketable set of products and services capable of jointly fulfilling a user‟s need. The product/service ratio in this set can vary, either in terms of function fulfillment or economic value. (p.238) • Also a system of products, services, supporting networks and infrastructure designed to be competitive, satisfy customer needs and have a lower environmental impact than traditional business models (p. 239) • Impacts on sustainability of a corporation • Drivers: Can provide access to new strategic markets opportunities, market trends and developments and potentially stay competitive as patterns of production and consumption are transformed. • Barriers: Fundamental cultural shifts are required. Markets and products may be hard to develop, consumers may resist. MGMT2001 - Corporate Sustainability 2 Context and Characteristics • Blurring of manufacturing and service: The role of services in providing value is ever more important. Added value is created by technological improvments, intellectual property, product image and brand names, aesthetic design and styling that differentiate and diversify products. Functional economy: Function...
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...INTRODUCTION Education for Sustainable Development(ESD) allows every human being to gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values necessary to build a sustainable future. Education for Sustainable Development means including key sustainable development issues into teaching and learning, for example climate change, disaster risk reduction, biodiversity, poverty reduction, and sustainable consumption. It also requires teaching and learning methods that can motivate and encourage learners to change their behaviour and concern for sustainable development. Education for Sustainable Development also promotes competencies like critical thinking, imagining future scenarios and making decisions in a collaborative way. Sustainability education (ES), Education for Sustainability (EfS), and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) are interchangeable terms describing the practice of teaching for sustainability. Various approaches to ESD encourage people to understand the complexity, and synergies between, the issues threatening planetary sustainability and understand and assess their own values and those of the society who live in the context of sustainability. ESD seeks to involve people in sustainable future negotiation, decision making and acting on them. It is generally agreed that sustainability education must be customized for individual learners, according to Tilbury and Wortman, the following skills are essential to ESD. Envisioning – being able to imagine a better...
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...Childhood/Education – Azim Hashim Premji was born on July 24, 1945 and he studied the Electrical Engineering from Stanford University, USA. Due to unfortunate death of his father, he was called to take over the family business. He started managing his family business at a young age of 21 years in 1966. At a time when Azim Premji took over the company, Wipro was into hydrogenated cooking fats. It got diversified later into ethnic ingredient based toiletries, bakery fats, hair care soaps, lighting products, baby toiletries, and hydraulic cylinders. Premji focussed his efforts from soaps to software and created one of the biggest IT Company of India. Wipro has shown phenomenal growth under Azim Premji’s leadership and got transformed from hydrogenated cooking fats company to leading integrated business, technology and process Solutions Company. Wipro Technologies is widely recognised on a global scale and is the largest independent R&D service provider throughout the world. Wipro is also at the forefront of leading IT and software companies of India. Achievements – Azim Premji is the Chairman of Wipro Technologies and is among the richest Indian for past so many years. In year 2005, he was honoured with Padma Bhushan. He is a leading icon among the Indian businessmen and his story has inspired many budding entrepreneurs. He has achieved several milestones in his career and he was vote among the 20 most powerful men in the world in 2000. He was in the list of 50 richest people...
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...ACC 310 Fall 2013 – Case #1 Due Date – October 22, 2013, 1:30 pm An introduction to the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and sustainability reporting The Sustainability Initiative at NC State was started through the endowed gift of Lonnie Poole. As part of the Initiative we are examining sustainability issues throughout the curriculum. For accountants one of the most important issues of sustainability is reporting information to stakeholders. Just as we are learning about financial reporting in Intermediate Financial Accounting we also want to learn about sustainability reporting. The purpose of this case is to make you aware of sustainability reporting and sustainability reports. On the moodle site I have assigned each student a company that has prepared a report based on the GRI Sustainability Reporting Framework and filed it with GRI. Each student should obtain the company’s report from the GRI webpage (globalreporting.org) or from the company’s corporate webpage. Sustainability reporting is not required Even though more and more companies are providing sustainability reports there is no requirement to report or any required standards like GAAP. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) currently provides a framework, with over 3,500 companies filing under the GRI framework. However, given that there is no enforcement of reporting companies may select different levels of reporting and different indicators to report on as well. This results in varied reporting...
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...Term Paper #3: Urban Sustainability GEOG330 Due: December 11, 2015 I am analyzing College Park, Maryland. College Park is a city in Prince George’s County, Maryland that is occupied by more than 31,000 residents. (College Park MD, Welcome To College Park Intro Paragraph) Majority of the economy in College Park is fueled by the jobs offered through the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD). This university host over 13,000 employees, making them the biggest employer in the city. University of Maryland, University College is the second biggest employer, providing work for 2,790 employees. The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Koppen Climate Classification system, College Park has a humid subtropical climate. (Climate, Climate: College Park) I currently live in Lanham, MD, which is about 12 miles away from College Park. As a kid, I always passed by the city and always dreamed about going to the University of Maryland. I attended multiple basketball and football games as a kid, and attended programs that occurred on campus. As a close residing area, College Park is considered home to me. I’ve lived in this area all my life. When my parents moved from Nigeria to the United States, they chose to live in this area because of the lack of extreme weather and excellent higher-level education system provided in the area. I would love to stay here after graduation, but I will go wherever my occupation...
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...Issues) “For a newly internationalised company, like Elecdyne, discuss one of the following sets of issues (from 1-4), plus you must discuss issue 5.” 1. The centralisation-decentralisation debate You should identify where the various functions of management sit in terms of being upstream, downstream, neither, or both, and how developments in technology may affect these functions in the next 10 years. | 2. Social innovation and networking You should undertake an analysis of the social innovation based opportunities that might develop for a newly internationalised company, like Elecdyne in different sectors (e.g. health and education) over the next 10 years. | 3. Sustainability and the potential impact of related issues on the company’s innovation, production and / or logistics functionsYou should analyse the sustainability based opportunities that might develop for a newly internationalised company, like Elecdyne over the next 10 years and evaluate the potential impact of these on the company’s innovation, production and / or logistics functions. | 4. Corporate social responsibility (CSR), including 5 key CSR related issues, Pyramid of CSR etc. You should evaluate the issue of corporate social responsibility using the “Pyramid of CSR framework” and analyse 5 key CSR related issues (recycling, ethical business, working condition, environmental issues, and philanthropy activities) or factors that you think a newly internationalised company, like Elecdyne...
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...Sustainability from an economic perspective Introduction In 1987 the World Commission on Environment and Development tried to resolve the problem that lies in contradictions between environment and economical goals; the result was formed in definition of sustainable development: ‘Sustainable development is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs’ (Smith & Rees 1998, p. 15). Since that long time ago 1987, there have been a lot of researches in this field, and three essential aspects of sustainable development have been defined (Kronenberg & Bergier 2012, p. 24). At first, there is economic – a sustainable system must be able to produce goods and services on a permanent basis, to maintain appropriate levels of debt (government as well as external one), and to avoid significant disbalance in different sectors (that can damage agricultural or industrial production). Second one is environmental aspect – a sustainable system must maintain a stable resource base, avoid over-exploitation of renewable resources, and exhausting nonrenewable resources only if adequate substitutes exist. The last aspect is social one - a sustainable system must characterized by fair distribution and opportunity for everybody, provision of social services (like health, education, etc.) on the adequate level, gender equity, and political accountability and participation (Hofkes 1996, p. 342).These three aspects of sustainability...
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...Are Determined 4 5 Star Hotels – Ritz Carleton 4 4 Star Hotels – Hyatt 5 3 Star Hotels – Hilton 7 2 Star Hotels – Days Inn (Wyndham) 8 1 Star Hotels – Econo Lodge 9 Conclusion 9 Bibliography 10 In today’s world environmentally sustainable management is an important issue in many industries. The tourism industry has a large impact on the economic benefits of a country by increasing jobs, increasing income, and GDP. However, the tourism industry also has a great impact on the environment. These environmental impacts are not always as positive as economical one. It is important for hotels to help their communities by reducing their carbon footprint. It is for this reason, that many hotel chains have created environmental sustainability strategies. In this essay, I will briefly discuss agenda 21, and other sustainable management initiatives. I will also examine, several different hotel chains, in an attempt to see if their environmental strategies are consistent with a hotel’s rating. Sustainable Management Initiatives Agenda 21 was presented at the World Summit in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Its purpose it “to provide a blueprint for securing the sustainable future of the planet” (Agenda 21, n.d.). This initiative outlined the following areas that may help hotels create their environmental sustainable strategies: 1. Waste minimization. 2. Energy conservation. 3. Management of fresh water resources. 4. Wastewater...
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...When the movement has started as an environmental movement, but it has developed economic and social aspects in time. The article mentions the Higher Education for Sustainable Development (HESD), which has been a primary accelerator to universities along with the nongovernmental organizations, academy, business communities and the government. This article speaks of the history and definitions of HESD, Agenda 21, international HESD declarations, US statements, a model of sustainable institution and suggested curriculum, research, operation and award system in the institution. 5.2. Elder J. L. “Think Systemically, Act Cooperatively: the Key to Reaching a Tipping Point for the Sustainability Movement in Higher Education”, Sustainability: The Journal of Record, Vol. 1, Issue.5. pp 1-12, 2008.4. Today, implicating sustainability as social movement is a growing trend for universities. This article analyzes the major accelerators of the movement for last few years, reviews the current situation of institutions and the gaps in the system. Finally it gives suggestions about best probable steps and a systematic-strategic approach where we can profit high leverage opportunities and possible collaboration-cooperation to gain economies...
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...RESPONSIBILTY SUSTAINABILITY ANALYSIS INTRODUCTION Larsen and Toubro is a USD 9.8 billion, technology, manufacturing, finance, engineering and construction conglomerate, with global operations. The company is headed by Mr. A.M Naik, CEO and M.D. During times when sustainability as the biggest challenge faced by mankind today, L and T has always pursued its long term strategic plans, remaining steadfast in its sustainability journey. 1.1 Sustainable Development United Nations in 1983 defined it as ‘Development that meets the needs of the present, without compromising the ability of the future generations to meet their own needs’. 1.2 Corporate sustainability Strategies and business practices adopted by the company to achieve corporate growth and profitability as well as to pursue societal goals, specifically those related to sustainable development-environment protection, social justice and economic development. In simple words, the well being of the society depends on the economy and the economy depends on the global ecosystem. 1.2 Corporate sustainability report L& T’s sustainability report is based on Global reporting initiative, i.e. GRI's Reporting Framework that is developed through a consensus-seeking, multi-stakeholder process. L and T reports are ‘ GRI Checked ‘ and graded as A+ reports, which is the highest grade for GRI reports. 1.3 L&T’s Take on Sustainability L & T views sustainability in terms of three...
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...SUMMARY INTRODUCTION I. WHAT IS ‘SUSTAINABILITY’? * BEHIND THE HEADLINES * Population * Poverty * Environmental degradation * Democracy, human rights and peace * Development * Interdependence * NORTH-SOUTH DIFFERENCES * TOWARDS A DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABILITY * A dynamic balance * An emerging vision * EDUCATION: THE FORCE OF THE FUTURE II. PUBLIC AWARENESS AND UNDERSTANDING: THE FUEL FOR CHANGE * THE NEED FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION * CONFRONTING VESTED INTERESTS * COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES * COMPLEX MESSAGES * THE MESSENGERS * REASON FOR OPTIMISM III. REORIENTING EDUCATION TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABILITY * IMPORTANCE OF BASIC EDUCATION * WHAT CHANGES DOES SUSTAINABILITY REQUIRE? * Curriculum reform * Structural reform * EDUCATIONAL REFORM: A CASE STUDY * REFORM AT DIFFERENT SCALES * CONTRIBUTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION * INTERDISCIPLINARITY IV. SHIFTING TO SUSTAINABLE LIFESTYLES: CHANGING CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION PATTERNS * INDIVIDUAL CHOICES AND LIFESTYLES * COLLECTIVE DECISION-MAKING V. ETHICS, CULTURE AND EQUITY: SUSTAINABILITY AS A MORAL IMPERATIVE * SOME ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY * The ’ethic of time’ * Complexity as an ethical issue * Continuity: the ethical link between past, present, and future * CULTURE AND SUSTAINABILITY * TOWARDS A COMMON ETHIC * EDUCATION, ETHICS, AND CHANGE VI. MOBILIZING...
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...employment, human capital, inequality, poverty, sustainability and socio-economic development. These questions are studied in an international comparative perspective including advanced economies, developing economies and economies in transition. The analysis of growth and development will be enlarged to include processes of catch up, forging ahead and falling behind. In the sense that the study of micro-dynamics of households, firms and sectors contributes to our understanding of relationships at the macro-level. A key concept relating innovation and technology with growth and development is productivity. Technological transformation is one of the major forces resulting in enhanced productivity and growth of income per capita. Productivity growth implies enhanced productive capabilities, which can potentially be used to fulfill a variety of human needs and realize social goals in the context of economic development. Socio-economic development is a broader concept than economic growth. It includes aspects such as the degree of inequality within and between societies, the environmental sustainability of increased production, the creation of employment and the fulfillment of basic human needs. Drivers and mechanisms of technological change and their contribution to growth and development * the impact of demand factors on growth and technological change * the role infrastructure in growth * resource availability * education and human capital and their contribution to...
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...The case was very well thought out, read like a professional document and was intuitive in the design and layout. The information contained seemed to follow a logical flow; however, the environmental and social justice sustainability issues were not well vetted nor were they supported throughout the case study. The web site touts many awards and achievements and I believe that Dell is, within its industry, moving in the right direction. When you dig a little deeper, though, you find that many of their successes are focused on the reduction of electrical usage. Ok, I’m all for this as a goal, but the overarching assumptions from Dell seems to be that they are really better than they are. By there own admissions, their chosen sustainability goals were not appropriate and they have yet to outline what these will be in 2012. Hmmm. Dell readily admits that they do not sufficiently measure sustainability, nor are there thorough upstream and downstream management of the supply chain as it relates to the environment. This is critical and should have been the focus of the sustainability segment of the case study. While I agree with Dell that there exists varying and sometimes contradictory measures of both environmental sustainability and environmental recycling processes and procedures, it would be reasonable to have the same passion about solutions about there internal core business and profitable moving this forward as it is about more difficult and less measurable softer...
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...new laws, and arbitrate conflicts to benefit the society in several ways including sustainability. Business owners whether for profit or non-profit are held accountable to the current Federal, State, and Local laws. If corporate sustainability reporting is not a current law then a company does not have the responsibility to incorporate disclosures relating to environmental, social and economic trends of the company resulting from sustainable actions into its financial statements. Milton Freedom put this best “"there is one and only one social responsibility of business – to use it resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits so long as it stays within the rules of the game, which is to say, engages in open and free competition without deception or fraud" (Freidman 1970). Thus we believe that whether private or public, a business does not have the responsibility to report on sustainability as well as take sustainable initiatives if it is not required by the law. However, according to the trend more and more businesses are reporting on sustainability, and taking initiatives to become sustainable. Cascade Engineering is one of them. Based on our analysis of the sustainability report by Cascade Engineering, and knowledge gathered about the organization, we have concluded that there are several reasons for it to produce a sustainability report. Most importantly, sustainability is fundamental to its mission statement, “To have a positive impact on our society...
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