Corporate Responsibility to the Environment - Literature review Example

Corporate Responsibility to the Environment Abstract Environmental specialist argue that businesses and organizations have an obligation in maintaining and supporting environmental projects. These businesses depend on the environment for the provision of some common necessities. However, other scholars and professionals may argue against such claims. In some cases, certain organizations are identified as contributors to the pollution of the environment due to their failure in implementing measures to control their waste and effluences. This report focuses on corporate responsibility with respect to the environment. The paper applies two approaches from different authors who examines this area that has gained fame over the past two decades[WMi14]. Keywords: environmental specialists, corporate responsibility, pollution and business. Introduction With the increasing environmental awareness and carbon crediting, business incorporation in this trending discussion is not left out. Different views are experienced in that discussion with those arguing in favor of business incorporation into the environment, conservation, supporting their claims under moral obligation and moral ethical perspective. According to Sims (2003), social corporate responsibility (CSR) refers to how organizations manage their business processes to impact society positively. Embracing CSR is not only beneficial to the business, but also a way forward to improving the social status of the business to relate well with the community in the society as part of their stakeholders. The reason for the business to support corporate responsibility to the environment or not forms the foundation of this study. Theoretical Arguments Opposing obligational Business Approach on Environment According to Michael, Robert, & Mark (2014), some businesses have broken the laws and harmed nature in their operations. Business may influence the environment through input or outputs. These include over exploitation of resources and pollution respectively. However, these authors argue that this should not lender business to the obligation of solving the environmental crisis. From William Frankena point of opinion, an indebtedness is specified by its level and complexity in ascending order of execution. These factors are grouped in their ascending order as follows: avoiding, preventing and doing good[WMi14]. Avoiding here illustrates that the business should not cause harm unless a compelling moral reason to do so. Such obligation is referred to as a minimum obligation of the businessvand is viable only when it has no harm to others. In preventing the harm, the business should provide its support up to a certain level that they can comfortably offer. They should not be obligated to compulsory obligations of the society in their capacity. Considering the obligation in doing good is applied to solve problems occurring in the society where the business has the capacity and resources to solve[Pra13]. However, their ability to do good should not be expanded without a definite limit. Considering that it is the business obligation to conserve the environment ignores the impact such motive has on the abilities of the business and profit consideration[Pra13]. Considering the descending order of obligations, the role of business in the environment would lie in the minimum obligation category. In their argument, Michael, Robert, & Mark (2014) points out that in case of a motor company, production of safest car possible to safeguard life as an obligation violates the justification for the company. The manufacture is entitled to minimum moral obligation in the car manufacture where they have to consider the price of their target customers. This means that the company should not be obligated to manufacture the safest vehicle they can[WMi14]. These arguments are against the company policies on moral obligation where it can only guarantee minimum obligation to preventing accidents and the rest is dependent on the customer. It is notable that by producing more environmentally friendly products, the consumers are not willing to pay for the extra cost applied in making of such a product. With the environmentalist stand on the damage caused to the environment by disposable diaper, the American population are unwilling to use of re-usable cloth diapers[WMi14]. Supporting Business Obligation on Environment According to Sumita & Niraj (2012), business has a moral obligation to solve environmental challenges since they influence its productivity and success. The authors argue this on the basis of two theories. These theories are natural resource based theory and neo-institutional theory. These theories explores the areas involved that shows why corporate business obligation to environmental conservation and adherence. The author argues that the business might experience competitive advantage as a result of going green and developing environmentally friendly products[WMi14]. Every business should understand the available regulations and permits regarding their activities to ensure the amount of waste produced is minimized and managed. Through research, businesses may use environmentally friendly products that are cheaper and available. Such measures would ensure they reduce their impact on the environment as well as maximize their profits in the line of production. Some government policies on the environment are on benefits to the organizations, though subsidies and carbon exchange programs that improves the products of the organization and compensation for extra cost the company has incurred in protecting the environment[Ron03]. Through research some of the huge bulk waste companies may produce is recyclable or reusable that helps in minimizing their effects on the environment. The government may also come up with policies that encourage the corporate world to cater to the environment. Depletion of natural resources by the businesses can be fatal in the circumstances it affects the environment. For example, in the horticultural organizatíons, the waste from their farms and groceries may be applied in production of biogas that can run some simple machineries on the farm. Such strategies reduce the cost of production increasing the profit for the company[WMi14]. In addition, sustainability of the business determines the future market control and expansion of the business. Praveen & John (2013) point out that the success and future of a business organization are determined by the sustainability of the resources. Availability of resources is key running the business and in its future endeavors. Natural resources such as water is used in running the industry ad production of hydroelectric power are dependent on the sustainability of the environment. This shows that environmental conservation and management is an important aspect in any business that has a future[Sum12]. Recommendations Business success is influenced by both internal and external factors. The environment is an external factor influencing the business. As a result, the business should play a central role in assimilating its obligation to the environment. However, the environmentalist and government should set out clear cut policies that favor both the business as well as the environment[Ray10]. To protect the business from market failure, certain projects should be enhanced to ensure that the business is in a position to withstand environmental changes. Efforts should be applied by all stakeholders in the environmental field to ensure that business comes in only where the organizations might have failed[Ron03]. Furthermore, Michael, Robert, & Mark (2014) argues that environmental movements ought to ding ways of of incorporating and protecting the living organisms in the process of securing the ecosystem. The significance of the interaction between environment and businesses has a long lasting solution to the prevailing challenges. The decision on whether the business is obligated to serve the environment in a given was done in the organizational level and not through other inconsiderate channels[WMi14]. Conclusion Throughout the paper different perspectives has been discussed regarding the controversial discussion of the obligation of business to environment conservation. Both the environmental organizations and business enterprise has a role to play[Ron03]. The business should ensure compliance with the set regulations and laws regarding how it ought approach environment matters in its running[Pra13]. Furthermore, the environmentalists should ensure they set in effective systems that facilitate the development and sustainability of the environment. Changing the traditional approaches on the relationship between business and environment, we can achieve sustainability both in the environment and business setting as well[WMi14]. References WMi14: , (Michael, Robert, & Mark, 2014), Pra13: , (Praveen & John, 2013), Ron03: , (Sims, 2003), Sum12: , (Sumita & Niraj, 2012), Ray10: , (Raymond, 2010), Read More