Sustainability: Benefiting the Bottom Line?

1477 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Contrast qualitative vs quantitative research

When needing to understand the true issue and coming to a valuable solution, time may be considered an enormous issue as implementation of a solution may require quick action.
Quantitative research
As indicated, research requires a process in order to collect data and analyze the data to come to a correct conclusion. Quantitative research is different from the qualitative research as researched above. Quantitative research focuses on amounts or quantities of one or multiple variables (Leedy, & Ormrod, 2010). To further explain, Fischler (2010) states, “a type of educational research in which the researcher decides what to study; asks specific, narrow questions; collects quantifiable data from participants; analyzes these numbers using statistics; and conducts the inquiry in an unbiased, objective manner” (p. 12). In order to utilize this philosophy, the problem needs to be clearly identified, data needs to be collected and analyzed in order to come to a solid evaluation or conclusion.
Chosen research methodology
The chosen methodology to observe if sustainability programs increase an organizations bottom line will be the use of qualitative research or case studies. The research completed to back the chosen method is illustrated below:

(Leedy, & Ormrod, 2010, p.99).
The case studies indicate a high ability to work with individuals and have inductive reasoning and a need for strong attention to detail. The available literature is extremely controversial on sustainability programs and how it has an effect on the bottom line of an organization. The qualitative research approaches make sense for the economic dilemma organizations face with the implementation of sustainability programs. However, there is a general limitati...

... middle of paper ...

...13). Sustainability Is about Long-Term Thinking, Planning & Profitability, Part II. Environmental Leader. Retrieved from http://www.environmentalleader.com/2013/09/12/sustainability-is-about-long-term-thinking-planning-profitability-part-ii/
Schroeder, H. (2012). The art and science of transformation for sustainability. Journal of Asia Entrepreneurship, 8(2), 131-148. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/1285650445/9560AABFD6AC4352PQ/1?accountid=28180
Starbuck, S. (2012). The not-so-odd couple: The CFO and sustainability. Corporate Finance Review, 17(2), 5-8, 10. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com.proxy1.ncu.edu/docview/1434979666/fulltextPDF/22A89E19CB425DPQ/13?accountid=28180
Zikmund,W., Babin, J., Carr, J., & Griffith, M. (2013). Business research methods. Mason, OH. South-Western, Cengage Learning. ISBN: 9781111826925

Show More
Related

  • Analysis: Burt's Bees

    1501 Words  | 4 Pages

    With forward movement in society, it is important to consider not just what will propel most toward success, but also what will help to sustain the environment along the way. What may have been considered appropriate decades ago, may no longer be socially acceptable due to the changes observed in both the business world and the environment (Fiske, 2010). Therefore, it is important for organizations thriving in today?s economy to consider how they may capitalize most effectively from their product or service of choice while minimizing or eliminating any damages along the way (Knoke, 2012).

    Read More

  • Riordan Manufacturing and Strategic Planning

    1907 Words  | 4 Pages

    Wheelen, T. L., & Hunger, J. D. (2010). In Concepts in Strategic Management and Business Policy Achieving Sustainability, Twelfth Edition. Pearson Education.

    Read More

  • The Biopsychosocial Model and Research in Mental Health

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    Research can be quantitative and qualitative. Quantitative research is objective and involves measuring the phenomena under investigation. Qualitative research is subjective, explores experiences and feelings, and involves the recording of phenomena that cannot easily be quantified (Toates, 2010, pp. 5-6). Both are empirical since they involve data collection (OU, n.d.).

    Read More

  • The Sustainability Strategy of Nike Company

    2752 Words  | 6 Pages

    This paper critically analyzes Nike company sustainability strategy. Every investor or a group of investors wishes to see the business profitable at the current time as well as having good prospects for future (Werbach, 2009). For this reason, business sustainability strategy is very important. A strategy is a plan that guides the company or a business firm towards a certain direction or set goals. Thus, sustainability strategy is an action plan that a company set in order to maintain the plan toward the achievement of company’s goals in future. Sustainability strategy puts into consideration aspects such as the source of raw materials, competition, human resource development, and sustainability, and the general business environment. Thus, in evaluating a business’ sustainability, it is important to consider the business planning in this direction (Heslin and Ochoa 2008)

    Read More

  • Making Sustainability Work in the Business World

    990 Words  | 2 Pages

    Protecting the environment has become an important issue in today’s society. There is no longer any doubt that businesses should consider their social responsibility and the impact of their activities on their stakeholders. In addition, firms are beginning to realize that corporate sustainability can prove to be a win win. There are multiple benefits of sustainability linked to costs, revenues, community relations, and more. The decision to strive for sustainability is obvious, but this process is easier said than done. Developing a sustainability strategy is difficult in itself, but the most challenging factor is the actual implementation. Marc J. Esptein, the author of Making Sustainability Work: Best Practices in Managing and Measuring Corporate Social, Environments, and Economic Impacts, provides companies with tactical methods and approaches, as well as real life examples and personal advice in order to assist in helping companies with achieving corporate sustainability.

    Read More

  • Importance Of Triple Bottom Line

    1143 Words  | 3 Pages

    A declared goal of multiple corporations, non-profit organizations, and local/state/federal governments in the past ten to fifteen years has been sustainability. Although sustainability is a goal for many, measuring the degree to which a business is being sustainable or tracking sustainable growth can be challenging. A man by the name of John Elkington saw the need for a sustainable growth measurement system, and strove to measure sustainability by bringing to view a new outline to measure sustainable performance in corporate America. This outline, called the triple bottom line, went beyond the customary measures of shareholder value, profits, and return on investment to include social and environmental dimensions. By focusing on widespread

    Read More

  • Research Analysis: A Discussion of the Four Worldviews

    2174 Words  | 5 Pages

    Zikmund, W., Babin, B.J., Carr, J.C., & Griffin, M. (2010). Business research methods (8th ed.). Mason, OH: Thomson/South-Western

    Read More

  • Why Sustainability Is The Key Driver Of Innovation Essay

    1210 Words  | 3 Pages

    In a Harvard Business Review (HBR) article, “Why Sustainability is now the Key Driver of Innovation”, the contributors argue against the common view: that as businesses become more environmentally friendly they become less competitive and profitable (Nidumolu, Prahalad, & Rangaswami, 2009) The contributors go on to say that companies who initiate environmental sustainability will develop competencies that competitors won’t be able to match and that ultimately, “sustainability will always be an integral part of development” (Nidumolu et al., 2009). In the year 2016, their statements are still valid and applicable to the biggest corporations in America. The largest corporation by revenue in America with over 482 billion dollars is Walmart (“Wal-Mart”).

    Read More

  • PricewaterhouseCoopers Sustainability Services

    491 Words  | 1 Pages

    Under the business strategy of services, PwC will assist clients in identifying risks and opportunities with strategic sustainability goals in mind. They also provide guidance when developing strategies for change management, stakeholder engagement and reporting. They support and encourage organization to moving towards Sustainability 2.0 which “process that builds prosperous businesses creating innovative products and services; businesses founded on good financial results, responsible use of resources, and community well-being” (as cited by Albinson, 2011). Sustainability becomes a means for an organization to strategically change business processes, create new innovative products, and implement new updated technologies (steps to sustainability, 2011).

    Read More

  • Sustainability and Sustainable Business

    1481 Words  | 3 Pages

    When it comes to defining the meaning of “sustainability”, there are many different perspectives from different people. One may say “sustainability” relates to “going green”, and another may conclude that it refers to reducing negative effects to the environment. These thoughts are not wrong at all, but I personally think “sustainability” in a broader concept since it can relate to many things such as business sustainability, social sustainability, or even human sustainability. For me, “sustainability” is simply about developing and sustaining something in an efficient and harmless way. For instance, I think of “sustainable business” as the way a specific business maximizes its profits and revenues through an efficient operation without causing any negative externalities. This essay will focus on the major ideas of sustainability and sustainable business, the relationship between profitability goals and sustainable business, and how marketing can be involved in this topic.

    Read More

  • Benefits of Sustainable Business Practices

    1812 Words  | 4 Pages

    Sustainability could be defined in many ways. It could be defined as the process to sustain a process or develop new technologies to reduce environment pollution. It also means a measurement how badly the environment is being polluted by other factors. I have to admit that sustainability is a great idea related to many fields such as healthy, economy, food, social, and etc. However, I still remember the first day of “Sustainable Business” class, Professor Laverty showed to my class an example of sustainable product with the idea of “produce more with less waste”. This example narrows me down to one idea of “Sustainable Business”, which is producing the product and services in an efficient and sustainable way without causing harms to environment. In this essay, I want to emphasize into impacts of businesses on environments, profitability of sustainable business, and responsibility of business.

    Read More

  • The Concepts of Sustainability

    2727 Words  | 6 Pages

    Sustainability is a concept with a diverse array of meanings and definitions – a widely used glamorous, ambiguous, ambivalent and vague concept that is used by different stakeholder groups in various ways. Presumably to avoid noodling over a terminology or to avoid the confrontation with a definition, most widely the concept is broken down a planning process (c.f. e.g. Döring & Muraca, 2010). That is why most common sustainability is understood as sustainable development.1

    Read More

  • Characteristics of "Green Business"

    1515 Words  | 4 Pages

    1.- INTRODUCTION: Without doubt, the 20th century has changed our priorities, especially when it comes to the way we do business. Popular sustainable business models, as advertised in the media, have evolved into much more than a moral obligation or an external requirement to generate money. Essentially, they are forcing companies to reinvent the systems and approaches with which they generate value and profitability for the company.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Sustainable Human Resource Management

    835 Words  | 2 Pages

    Since the Industrial Revolution of the late 1700’s and early 1800‘s organizations have become increasingly prosperous. With this rapid growth, however, has come irresponsibility in the management of business resources. This irresponsibility increases the costs to the company and is also taxing on the environment, increasing: ozone depletion, deforestation, and global warming (Shrivastava, 1995, p. 936). Sustainability in the business sector goes beyond environmental initiatives and includes the company’s financial and managerial performance, and employee quality of life. The movement of sustainable human resource management provides a balance between economic development, environmental stewardship, and societal equity—often

    Read More

  • Improving Organisational Performance

    1879 Words  | 4 Pages

    Vora, M,K, (2013) "Business excellence through sustainable change management", The TQM Journal, Vol. 25 Iss: 6, pp.625 – 640, Emerald, [Accessed 31st January 2014]

    Read More

More about Sustainability: Benefiting the Bottom Line?

Open Document