When needing to understand the true issue and coming to a valuable solution, time may be considered an enormous issue as implementation of a solution may require quick action.
Quantitative research
As indicated, research requires a process in order to collect data and analyze the data to come to a correct conclusion. Quantitative research is different from the qualitative research as researched above. Quantitative research focuses on amounts or quantities of one or multiple variables (Leedy, & Ormrod, 2010). To further explain, Fischler (2010) states, “a type of educational research in which the researcher decides what to study; asks specific, narrow questions; collects quantifiable data ...view middle of the document...
In the article by Bowers (2010), the issue to be determined does decreasing risks and environmental impacts remain a fundamental part of an organization’s sustainability efforts or are efforts being placed in terms of economic predictions? Over the last few years, civilization has increased the acknowledgement of sustainable practices and the importance of the welfare of the globe and the future generations. Organizations are also leveraging sustainable practices to increase their competitive advantage through economic prospects.
Ten organizations were studied and a noteworthy shift in the direction of economics is apparent with the increased presence of determinations to support the business case for sustainability (Bowers, 2012). According to Bowers (2010), “lessening environmental impacts and attending to social problems can reduce operating costs, generate revenue, open new markets, and provide a competitive advantage” (p. 258). From this study, it clearly shows that organizations are looking for more than their social and environmental responsibility. They are leveraging sustainable practices to boost their economic position to gain a competitive advantage. One noteworthy element of this movement is to deliver definite measures of the cost savings and economic development by utilizing sustainability activities (Bowers, 2010). The organizations are utilizing financial reports to measure the economic benefits of sustainability.
Article assessment: From image to economic value: a genre analysis of sustainability reporting.
Bowers (2010) did a superb job of analyzing ten organizations and how these organizations are leveraging sustainable practices. He indicated how the organizations are continuing to minimize environmental impacts and attending to social problems which can in turn diminish operating costs, produce revenue, emerge into new markets, and provide the organizations a competitive advantage (Bowers, 2010). However, the research was merely limited to ten organizations. More research should be completed in the arena of how sustainability helps an organization’s bottom line. Not all environmentally friendly practices and sustainable initiatives can produce a cost savings for an organization as a change in their business model may require adaptation. As indicated by Goh, Kiron, Kruschwitz, and Reeves (2013), “Managers who say that their company’s sustainability activities have added to the company’s profits are more than twice as likely to say that sustainability has caused their organization to change their business model than not” (p.69). Changing the business model will definitely increase costs and this may perhaps be short term or long term based on the new model.
Article examination: The not-so-odd couple: The CFO and sustainability.
Meeting the needs of the stakeholders and the organization is extremely important when implementing sustainable practices and policies. In the article by Starbuck (2012), the issue to be...
