BMA6105-20 Managing Sustainability Assignment Sample

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Introduction

Sustainability has now emerged as one of the most important adaptive tools in tackling problems of scarcity and degradation of resources in the current society (Hariram et al., 2023). The Managing Sustainability module has introduced guidelines and practical approaches that help understand how environmental, social, and economic objectives may be integrated for sustainable development within different spheres of human activity. This reflective report explores three key topics studied in the module: the circular economy, the role of business in society, and the sustainable business model concept. All of the issues have been chosen because they fit into the objective of making systematic changes and the impact it has made on me as a learner of sustainability.  For students aiming to master these complex concepts, assignment writing help offers valuable support in research, analysis, and presentation, ensuring a comprehensive understanding and quality academic work. The paper assesses these concepts and considers their applications vis-à-vis my consumer, citizenship, and employee selves.

Section 1: Evaluation of Key Topics/Themes

Topic 1: Circular Economy (Week 3)

Figure 1: Theory of circular economy

The theory of circular economy exists in contrast to the linear economy model by encouraging the maximum use of resources, especially before they have to go through the disposal process (Neves and Marques, 2022). According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2013), the circular economy operates on three key principles: eliminating waste and pollution, reinventing technical products and materials to be utilized continually, and restoring ecosystems. This approach seeks to establish a circular system that will have less recurrent demands on the depleted resources while at the same time reconstructing new sustainability in the environment, in society and the economy.

BMA6105-20 Managing Sustainability Assignment Sample

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Another concept that resonated profoundly when working on the module was the Cradle to Cradle, C2C design put forward by Braungart et al. (2007). It is an approach where concepts for products are designed so that their products have a life cycle that can either be recycled back to the environment or used again. Rossi et al. (2006) described a case study of Herman Miller, detailing how C2C principles were applied in the production of furniture Following the application of C2C principles and a clear vision for sustainable furniture, new furniture products were developed successfully. These examples also underlined that sustainability, on the one hand, implies environmental gains and, on the other hand, business advantage.

Therefore, it must be pointed out that the circular economy concept addresses ecological issues and aims to solve global economic problems (Iacovidou, Hahladakis and Purnell, 2020). The Ellen MacArthur Foundation (2014) notes that to increase circular strategies, circular economy activities can be scaled in global supply chains, which decrease waste, lower climate vulnerability, and generate more value as new industries and employment are generated within the process. The opportunity for some gains is awe-inspiring in the manufacturing, fashion and electronics industries, where waste and inefficiency reign.

When analysing this topic, I thought about how one can apply the circular economy on a societal level and in one’s day-to-day life. For example, I am more careful when deciding which item to buy, focusing on products that can be repaired and on companies that think about sustainability when designing and running their businesses. Now, I understand how I am a consumer and a professional. Therefore, the desire to promote lifecycle thinking and resource efficiency emerges.

The idea of circular economy has contributed to my perception of waste by bringing up the mindset that waste is a resource. This framework matches my belief system and provides me with tools I can use to enhance the world's sustainability as I go about my business in my day-to-day life.

Topic 2: The Societal Role of Business (Week 2)

Business social responsibility and the concept held that organizations have obligations beyond the generation of revenues, protection of the environment, fairness to its stakeholders, and accountability. This module underlined how change can be managed and built through the main sectors of business strategy, operations, and culture. This view supports research by Oxford & Arabesque (2015), who stated that sound ESG outperformance achieves better operating performance by 88% of studies and lower capital costs by 90%.

The first was that sustainability needs to be seen beyond just a cost issue but as a driver of innovation. Furthermore, by putting new restrictions like limiting carbon emissions or trying to eliminate waste, organizations are forced to redesign their procedures and come up with fresh products. Supporting this relationship between sustainable marketing and innovation, Bolderdijk et al. (2013), went further a step to note that those organizations that ensure that their strategies correspond to moral and social requirements tend to create a positive perception of purpose from customers and employees.

Another factor I learned was the reputation that results from sustainability. The case analysis of the BP oil spill example showed that organisations with poor ESG standards lead to serious brand erosion and financial impacts. On the other hand, it is essential to draw attention to corporate examples like Unilever and Patagonia, which show that sustainability increases companies’ performance and appeals to buyers (Iglesias et al., 2023). A survey conducted by Nielsen Insights reveals that up to 73% of customers are more willing to switch their behaviour to help save the environment. These results show that consumers increasingly pressure business organizations to embrace ethical and sustainable practices.

Analysing the societal role of business has enhanced my viewpoint regarding corporate responsibility. I have focused more on choosing products for consumption by dealing mainly with free companies with high ethical standards. It also changed my position as a citizen; now, I am more capable of demanding that such companies be challenged regarding their responsibility to the environment and the people.

In a professional setting, I now perceive sustainability as an expense or a nuisance and an avenue through which value can be co-created and sustainable success attained. Thus, I have high energy to ensure that any organization I join will incorporate sustainable goals into its planning and is ready to support environmentalism activities. This understanding it explains why personal values should be in harmony with organizational behaviour change efforts to produce a positive impact within society.

Topic 3: Sustainable Business Models (Week 4)

Sustainable business models incorporate three facets of sustainable development into organizational processes and objectives (Goni et al., 2020). Sustainable business models on the other hand, focus on making tremendous long-term value by combating various crises and addressing issues like climate change, depletion of resources, and social injustice. This has been developed from ideas such as Bocken et al. (2014) whereby archetypes include materiality by using high-efficiency materials, Circular value propositions, and service kick-off which draws a shift from product ownership to use.

Another useful discussion was identifying circular economy business models, according to Urbinati et al. (2017). These models centre around creating value through reuse, repair or remanufacturing, which means that they fundamentally alter how companies manage consumption and production. For instance, shifting from a sales model to a leasing model is a way of unlocking new revenues while closing the gap in environmental degradation. This insight resonated with previous conversations about the approach to circularity and earlier concepts of systems-level change.

It also explored the contribution which innovation has to more sustainable business models. Schalteger et al. (2012) believe that since innovation is central to sustainability, there is increased emphasis on diffusion whereby organisations integrate sustainability into their business practices using innovative means. For example, firms that install renewable energy systems or engage in closed-loop supply chains as a success story of how sustainability can increase competitive advantage and operational excellence.

Writing this topic, I started to view sustainable business models as a concept that can work to change business for the better in the future. As a consumer, I now consciously look for companies that have adopted these models, such as companies that rely on subscriptions and companies with environmental products. This learning has also impacted the perception that I hold on to the roles and responsibilities of a professional (Richter, Brunner and Richter, 2021). For instance, I understand the need to demand environmental conservation efficiency within an organization, and I work in the diversity of sustainable policies in the firm’s processes.

Moreover, analysing the best sustainable business practices has also made me reflect on my citizenship responsibilities. Most businessmen will strive to answer to these questions when it is conclusively clear that supporting sustainable businesses builds demand for sustainability responsibilities and practices. Shortly, I will consistently support and use sustainable business practices both in my practical experience and everyday life, demanding change on a macro level which is required to meet the challenges of sustainability globally.

Section 2: Personal Reflection and Response

I have learned about various topics in the module, which have given me a broader understanding of sustainability and made me think critically about some of the roles that I assume in life as a consumer, citizen and employee. In this section, I analyse how I have responded to the circular economy, the role of business in society and sustainable business models, and what I will do in the future in these CSP domains.

The idea of circular economy has changed how I consume goods and services. This has shifted my perspective towards buy-say decisions as more focused on lifecycle, where the product is designed to be durable, repairable and constructed from recycled input. For instance, I have recently moved to a subscription model of getting electronic devices, which means people get to update to new ones. In contrast, the old ones are returned, reconditioned, or disposed of as appropriate. Understanding circular business led me to pay attention to how my purchasing decisions can impact the overall shift towards a circular economy (Mostaghel and Chirumalla, 2021).

The societal role of business has also influenced ethical consumerism. In the past few months, I have researched the ESG commitments of brands before using their products and over-powering them in support of environmentally and socially responsible companies. This change is consistent with Nielsen Insights, a global research showing that 73% of consumers globally are ready to change their behaviour to fight environmental conservation. It has taken me this long to appreciate that the actions that I take as a single customer are part of a general demand for sustainability.

As a citizen, the knowledge and information from the module have contributed to my desire to fight for sustainability at the community level. For example, the topic ‘Market failures and climate change’ examined how policy interventions help to solve such failures. This has inspired me to be involved in local processes like support for Drive against single-use plastics and enhancement of proper waste management. It has also made me realize the place of business in society (de Villiers, Kuruppu and Dissanayake, 2020). As a result, it has empowered me to fight for policies that will check corporations for their environmentally irresponsible behaviours.

Moreover, the studies on sustainable business models have strengthened the concepts of societies' structural transformation, for which the change must begin at personal and organizational levels. It has been my practice to attend memberships with local environmental groups to participate in cleaning-up campaigns and tree-planting exercises (Breier et al., 2021). Such actions are indicative of a progressive learning process with regard to the possibilities of enhancing the sustainability message through civil participation.

As an Employee/Manager

On a professional level, the module has revolutionised my knowledge of sustainability about it being a strategic opportunity. I now consider sustainability a non-optional factor more than a niche concern for corporate management. Reading about the concept of sustainable business models by Bocken et al. (2014) and Schaltegger et al. (2012) has made me think about how to implement it in my business environment. For example, I want to advocate for energy conservation plans and circularity processes, including closed production cycles or resource reuse.

Another aspect of the societal role of business is that sustainability has become an integral part of corporate culture. Further, due to my awareness of ESG goals, as an employee of an organization, I would be more aware of and supportive of ESG goals in decision-making. Moreover, the data concerning young people's relationship to sustainable employers (86% of them are ready to choose sustainable employers) have identified the importance of paying attention to environmental issues to achieve employees’ commitment and satisfaction.

Self-evaluation of the learning process

Completing the coursework on these subjects has been enlightening, forcing me to think from a new, expansive appreciation of sustainability (Young and Malone, 2023). One crucial thought was realizing the connections between people’s behaviour, company activities, and systems. This realization further enhanced my understanding of the comprehensiveness of sustainability issues as well as the relation between personal beliefs and organizational behaviour.

Furthermore, thinking about these topics has had its emotional aspect since I tried to recall the importance of fighting for changes in global environmental crises such as climate change and resource depletion. The module has made me take responsibility and focus on positive change within and outside society due to concerted efforts.

Future Actions

As for the future, it is pertinent how the lessons of this module will be used in the future. For instance, as a consumer, I will remain keen on the products that am buying and ensure they are buying only those which can be reused or those which can be recycled. However, I will enact more rigorous policies as a citizen and participate in community activities. As a professional, I will promote sustainability and anchor sustainably into organizational development plans. The holistic approach that follows such principles results from my aspiration to make a better world in all aspects of my life.

Conclusion

The Managing Sustainability module has been one of the most enlightening courses that offer a look at the relations between the social, environmental, and even economic realms. Having learned and discussed the circular economy, the societal role of the business, and the sustainable business model, I have extended my understanding and ideas about how sustainability makes sense, improves the value creation and solves global issues. These concepts have changed my thinking and helped me embrace more responsible behaviour as a buyer, a member of society, and a worker.

Analysing the work done, I have concluded that personal actions should be related to sustainability principles. From making better buying choices to effecting system changes in my communities and my profession, I am now ready to be an active participant in sustainability causes. This module has also shown the possibilities of collective action and the part individuals and companies get to play in creating change.

References

• Bocken, N.M., Short, S.W., Rana, P. and Evans, S., 2014. A literature and practice review to develop sustainable business model archetypes. Journal of cleaner production, 65, pp.42-56
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• Breier, M., Kallmuenzer, A., Clauss, T., Gast, J., Kraus, S. and Tiberius, V. (2021). The role of business model innovation in the hospitality industry during the COVID-19 crisis. International Journal of Hospitality Management, [online] 92(92), p.102723. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhm.2020.102723.
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• Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2013. Towards the circular economy. Volume 1: Economic and business rationale for an accelerated transition. Chapters 1 & 2. Ellen MacArthur Foundation (pp. 13-34)
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