College of
Business
Administration
College of
Business
Administration
Readings:
"The Ecology of Commerce" book and Articles 22 & 23 from the readings packet. The facilitators are hoping to get together next Thursday (25th) for dinner/drinks to see what the class REALLY thinks about some of these questions.......
Questions:
1. In "The Ecology of Commerce", Hawkin stated that companies which try to initiate an ecological commerce should not have to pay more for raw materials that are produced in a sustainable manner.
Would applying green fees work to alleviate this situation, as Hawkin suggests?
Where should the proceeds go?
Could green taxes really revolutionize our economy and production practices, or, like most other taxes, would they be met head-on with direct resistance?2. According to the "Greenmoney Journal" (Article 22), Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is personal, and approximately half of the 1000 largest public US companies meet most socially responsible mutual fund's basic social criteria.
How might this figure compare with your personal estimation of the percent of "socially responsible" large businesses?3. Do you see green marketing as an exploitative attempt to capitalize on conscientious consumers?
Is there a difference between green marketing and having truly "green" products?
If so, what implications does that have for consumers and businesses?4. Hawkin wrote, "The world is being destroyed by the greed of the rich and powerful. It is also being destroyed by the popular demand. There are not enough rich and powerful people to consume the whole world; for that the rich and powerful need the help of countless ordinary people."
Assuming ordinary consumers and businesses are responsible for environmental degredation, which has a greater influence over the other?
As far as adopting more ecologically sustainable manufacturing practices, would large firms respond quicker to governmental pressure or to consumer pressure?5. What should be the relationship between business and the natural environment?
What changes will help foster that relationship?6. What do you think are some of the most "green" businesses that currently exist, and how could they be improved?
What is your vision the "ultimate green" business?
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