Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at Ecolab Inc. Saint Paul
Sustainability Management Principals (CSR) Final
Company "Ecolab Inc Saint Paul" Presentation and Paper
Learning Objectives
1. Demonstrate a basic understanding of the meaning of corporate social responsibility and an Organization's CSR/sustainability approach.
2. Discuss and analyze what and to whom an organization might be considered responsible.
3. Describe some of the activities organizations may engage in to manage social Responsibility.
4. Discuss the four types of organizational approaches to social responsibility.
5. Critique and/or evaluate an organization's corporate social responsibility and sustainability Program.
Final Requirements
1. Research, Develop and Present on your selected "Company."
2. Prepare a 6-page Report due at the time of the Presentation.
1. How did your company define success in corporate social responsibility and Sustainability for the next decade? How did your company translate this definition into action? Critique your company's CSR and sustainability program. Evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. What changes or improvements would you recommend?
2. What view of corporate social responsibility or sustainability do you think your company holds?
3. Explain and assess the economic argument that a firm's goal is to maximize profits. What counterarguments do you have? Use the information provided in this case, as well as course reading materials, to support your answer.
4. Discuss the four types of organizational approaches to social responsibility and sustainability. What approach do you believe your company is taking?
5. What are the four key pillars of CSR and sustainability identified by your company? For one of these pillars, evaluate your company s activities and outcomes. What, if any, changes would you recommend? Why? Please use evidence from Text readings to support your answer.
Ecolab Inc. Saint Paul
Name
Institution
Course
Instructor
Date
Ecolab Inc. Saint Paul
Introduction
Ecolab Inc. Saint Paul denotes a worldwide leader in infection deterrence processes, water, hygiene, and services that allow the protection of the planet, people, and business wellness. The Company offers detailed data-focused insights, science-based long-term solutions, and topnotch services meant to encourage food safety, aid in sustaining clean and secure surroundings, optimize energy and water usage, and, most importantly, enhance operational effectiveness and customer-centered sustainability in all corners of the planet (Ecolab, 2022).
The Company's Success Definition in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Like other companies, Ecolab looks forward to achieving the specific desired success. Most importantly, the Company defines its CSR and sustainability success as the urge to continue accelerating progress with its clients to produce a quantifiable, positive influence on the planet, people, and business prosperity. As of 2021, the Company translated this definition into action in different ways based on its CSR and sustainability program. According to the Company's previous program, it has engaged in various activities and projects with a target of realizing CSR and sustainability success. Specifically, Ecolab has used science-based approaches to reduce carbon emissions, which are dangerous and likely to trigger climate change. This has happened through the firm's efforts to source about 69% of its total electricity from renewables (Ecolab, 2022). Secondly, Ecolab always looks forward to attaining a positive water impact. Its visualization of a water-resilient future depends on substantial action. For Ecolab in Minnesota, this means ensuring water management with its clients while as well recognizing chances to execute water stewardship projects.
Thirdly, the corporation has remained dedicated to assisting clients by offering adequate safe, and high-quality food to accommodate 2 billion individuals for a year, preventing numerous diseases. Finally, Ecolab has also continued its mission of reducing infections by implementing safety-based interventions among millions of people. All these operations constitute Ecolab Inc. Saint Paul's CSR and sustainability program aimed at realizing sustainable development and overall positive impact on the planet, people, and business. Moreover, this program's strength is that it is executable, practical, and, most importantly, a significant approach to sustainability and CSR. However, it seems that communities and customers have less involvement in its decision-making framework. It is recommendable that Ecolab should always hold decision-making meetings with these stakeholders so that its operations can be more customer-and-community-centered. Otherwise, the Company's efforts are critical and contribute well to society and the planet's resilience.
The Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability View that the Company holds
In my opinion regarding corporate social responsibility and sustainability, Ecolab Inc. Saint Paul believes that working towards a more sustainable future entails solving the planet's biggest challenges via its commitment to safeguarding the environment, tackling social problems, and conforming to reliable policies and practices. Specifically, this is because the Company admits that sustainability is central to everything it does, from creating environmentally friendly decisions in its operations to encouraging business cohorts globally to progress toward sustainable outcomes. From the environmental perspective, Ecolab reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in its operations and product development procedures. This is always to leave a positive impact to favor resilience and sustainability for the present and future generations. From the social perspective, the Company values its relationships with individuals and communities as it works to promote social progress. It partners and collaborates with Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) mainly to address global challenges affecting society. For instance, Ecolab partners with other bodies or firms to start initiatives that encourage sustainability.
The Economic Argument that a Firm's Goal is to Maximize Profits
Most large, medium or small corporations experience a huge dilemma regarding profit maximization or corporate social responsibility (CSR) (Debnath et al., 2018). Though most companies prioritize CSR, these organizations' managers still generally believe that companies should maximize returns to their Company stakeholders. There are always two ways of arguing concerning this position. The first one is Friedman's viewpoint that increasing stakeholder returns is CSR for the respective companies (Friedman, 2007). The second viewpoint is one voiced by most company managers that CSR and profit maximization go hand in hand. Maximizing profits from their operations is among a business's top goals. Since fetching more profit is every business's top goal, profit maximization within organizations can consider emphasizing more profits and considering less emphasis on other business elements such as social wellness, economic progress, customer retention, satisfaction, and other important company objectives. If a company holds that profit maximization is its top goal, it is worth understanding that profit maximization has its set of limitations and might never be the best route to follow. For example, operations based on increasing profits might imply reducing product quality through utilizing reduced quality resources and foregoing firm values to generate higher profits. Boosting profits can develop business chaos and could trigger radical harm to workers, clients, and the entire business.
Four Types of Organizational Approaches to Social Responsibility and Sustainability
Sustainab...