Talk:Chem395:April 25 discussion

How could one change the corporate culture within a company from a traditional view (environmental regulations are just a burden) to a progressive view, where environmental factors are considered right from the start in product & process design, as well as in the accounting. Today's discussion will consider how best to convince both managers and workers. See the article page for background information.

Preparation

• Chem395:Unit 12

Agenda

• What strategy should we use for changing the corporate culture at a company like Acme? At a major company, like Du Pont?
• How could we convince management to support such a change?
• How could we convince ordinary workers to support such a change?

Some of the Acme people may drop in to help the discussion.

Discussion

Is everyone here now? Walkerma 15:59, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

Hello! J-Fed 16:01, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

Yes sir. Murphy44 16:02, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

OK. You're an enlightened 21st Century executive in a company. How do you go about changing the corporate culture? What's the best strategy to make the environment a real priority, instead of just something you tack on for PR for marketing? Walkerma 16:05, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

The Three-Factor Scorecard is an excellent method for the company. The scorecard measures long-term strategies for competitive success. It will help cover performance indicators and develop management systems that cover: economic, environmental and social performances. According to Dorff (435) "The advantage of the scorecard approach is that it trains business attention on a range of different performance measures." "[...]A well-developed TFSC provides a company's strategy and vision and serves to create shared understanding." "It enables learning at all levels of the organization." J-Fed 16:09, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

Quality of life (QOL) can be measured as well as improved (Dorff 435). This allows questions concerning results, outputs, performance etc to be asked. J-Fed 16:11, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

Balance is needed in the economic sector, community broad participation and measurable goals are the components of QOL. It is necessary to follow these in order to evaluate QOL in the company. J-Fed 16:13, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

It is important for social investing and innovation to take place within the company. Fostering the knowledge and improving morale is important to boost productivity. J-Fed 16:15, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

I completely agree with what J-Fed is speaking about, This idea of a TFSC "provides a company's strategy and vision and serves to create shared understanding." Dorrf (435) thus understanding is created through a medium that big business can relate to. The goal will be to create a greener world and the TFSC is the medium to get there. Murphy44 16:17, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

Corporate culture has thus been altered in such a way that will be beneficial to the environment. Murphy44 16:19, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

For the TFSC I would break down the company as follows - Main Factors include objectivity, performance and output. These are combined with the company's management strategies, vision and goals. These combine with the customers / community and the business (processes/ outputs/inputs). All of these stem from the learning and growth from th employees and supervisors. J-Fed 16:18, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

Social investing is a major factor in business. I'm assuming the company is public, but if not private companies still require their board members (shareholders) to be socially responsible managers.J-Fed 16:23, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

How would this work at a company like Acme? Walkerma 16:21, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

A company like ACME the social investing and Innovation that J-Fed talked about would be a great way to get the ball rolling. New R&D could result in new greener processes that could benefit both the environment and ACME in the long run. Murphy44 16:23, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

R&D is all well and good, Murphy, and I agree it goes a long way, though it's also expensive, and equally important that a company keep a finger on the pulse of the industry so to speak.. be ready to take advantage of ingenuity elsewhere. Don't be afraid to stand on the shoulders of giants (IE.. subscribe to some trade journals,they're worth it). JGrinst21 16:25, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

I'm the Chief Financial Officer at Acme, and I'm sorry to say we can't afford to do all these things. The company is really hurting in the current economic climate, so we can't afford to indulge in these sorts of programs any more, however laudable they may be. We need to be cutting costs, not adding to them. JaneDoe 16:27, 25 April 2008 (EDT)

The TFSC would work at ACME because of the strong environmental and social influence it possesses (with the ISO 14000 certification!). The strategies ACME has been pushing for are easily mapped onto a TFSC. Utilizing such a system is beneficial for all of the workers there. Having a clear vision and goal (strategies), looking at the customers and suppliers, the financial aspects as well as the business itself allow for discussion and social investing. Social investing will reduce risks at ACME and provide more stable returns. J-Fed 16:27, 25 April 2008 (EDT)