Sustainability and Risk in Operations and Supply Chain Report

Sustainability and Risk in Operations and Supply Chain Report

Select a firm of interest and read their most recent citizenship / social responsibility report and communicate the primary social-, environmental-, and supply chain-related initiatives—as they relate to the firm’s operations and supply chain—underway in the company and the relevant performance outcomes of these initiatives (if they are available).As a foil to the company’s self-reported information, spend some time researching what other organizations (e.g., press and NGOs…with cited sources!) have to say about the company’s activities, checking to see if they are engaged in potentially harmful activities not mentioned in their report (Do the other voices corroborate or contradict what the company has said about their own actions?). Finally, comment on your personal reactions to the report and other voices.

Pasting images in the bottom three rows of the table can help to explain/support your text entries.

ENVIRONMENTAL elements/issues/initiatives

  • Identify two or three primary initiatives the organization is reporting that address most important ENVIRONMENTAL issues facing the company.
  • The issues should be related to operations and can address inputs, the transformation process, or outputs(e.g., waste, emissions, etc.).
    • When possible, do identify the quantitative benefits/results of the initiatives (e.g., tons of emissions saved, water saved, etc.).

SOCIAL elements/issues/initiatives

  • Identify two or three initiatives the organization is reporting that addresses an important SOCIAL issue facing the company.
  • Initiatives addressing social issues in the workplace are likely candidates here (e.g., workplace safety, child labor). Customer issues (e.g., reducing magnetic exposure from mobile phones) maybe included as well.
    • When possible, do identify the quantitative benefits/results of the initiatives (e.g., worker injuries reduced).

SUPPLY CHAIN elements/issues/initiatives

  • Identify two or three initiatives the organization is reporting that address important SOCIAL or ENVIRONMENTAL issues that are in their SUPPLY CHAIN.

OTHER VOICES: Consider what other organizations (NGOs, press, etc.) are saying about the company and its actions, including perspectives that might differ from the one presented in the organization’s report. Be careful about using unsubstantiated information (e.g., statements from blogs).

PERSONAL REACTION: Share your thoughts about the company after reading their report. Why do you think the firm published this report, in its current form? What surprised you? Did your feelings about the firm change after reading the report?  Why or why not? Did it change after reading other voices of the firm?

Sustainability and Risk in Operations and Supply Chain Report