A. How could Jeff's attitude toward social responsibility impact Perry's
strategy? Justify your rationale with support from course materials.
Social responsibility has a great impact on a company’s profitability as it
can increase customer retention and loyalty. By Jeff making the statement
“I am not sure I even believe in all this stuff, but our operation's manager
insists on these processes” he shows a negative attitude towards social
responsibility and therefore his customers and other people. Taking
environmental concerns seriously and trying to improve sustainably is very
important for any company as it has an impact on their corporate social
performance score. Caring about the environment creates value which in
turn increases profitability ("Leading an Ethical Organization: Corporate
Governance, Corporate Ethics, and Social Responsibility," n.d.).
B. Should Perry's Printing respond to this new strategic plan published by
their competitor? Why or why not? Justify your opinion with support
from course materials.
Perry definitely should respond to this new strategic plan published by
their competitor to show Perry’s social responsibility. According to the text
it shows that Perry’s business practices are similar to those of the
competitor besides Perry has not published it. Doing so will keep Perry
competitive in the market and help to retain customers. There are some
changes Perry will have to do to but it seems like it is minor changes that
need to be done. By letting the public know about their business practices,
Perry will show social responsibility and transparency.
Over the past years many companies have shifted their focus on
sustainability. Doing so a strategy was used to increase reputation and
attract customers. A company creates value by offering the consumers
what they want. The interest of being environmentally friendly has been
rising among consumers among all generations and therefore showing
consumers to be an environmentally friendly company ensures staying
competitive in the market and gives consumers a sense of trust.
C. Porter identified one of the most commonly accepted definitions of
strategy as "choosing a unique and valuable position, rooted in systems
of activities that are difficult to match." In other words, differentiation is
the key to strategy. If all competitors are choosing sustainability as part
of their processes, can sustainability really be a strategy? Support your
opinion with course materials.
Sustainable design is the objective to decrease or eliminate negative
environmental impacts. By following good design practices, companies can
promote sustainability and provide innovative solutions for customers and
others involved. When creating value through sustainable designs it is
important to focus on the customers and their preferences as this can help
opening up new opportunities. Value can be created by driving growth,
enhancing customer experiences, or increasing the productivity of the
energy and resources used (Creating value through sustainable design,"
2017). One of the major topics many businesses are concerned with is
being an environmentally friendly business to reduce the negative impacts
on the environment. Many businesses have developed sustainable designs
to support their objective to reduce such impacts.
Sustainability can definitely be a strategy, however, to stay ahead of other
competitors there are other areas a company should focus in addition to
that.
For example one company that is doing great in promoting social
responsibility is Toms. The company uses business to improve lives. Their
mission is to make choices that benefit its customers, employees and the
planet by using environmentally friendly and recycled products, reducing
waste and energy use, and increasing transparency. Its products are
sustainable, and the company offers full list of each of their products and
what materials are used to make it. The company is very transparent about
their practices which gives the customer and user a sense of being a
trustworthy company "Leading an Ethical Organization: Corporate
Governance, Corporate Ethics, and Social Responsibility," n.d.).
References
Creating value through sustainable design
. (2017, July 25). McKinsey &
Company. https://www.mckinsey.com/business-
functions/sustainability/our-insights/creating-value-through-sustainable-
design
