I Explain the Principles of Sustainability Sustainability is the ability to maintain a certain process or state. It is now most frequently used in connection with biological and human systems in a broad sense. The most commonly used definition of sustainable development meets the needs of present without compromising the ability future governments to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is existed in 1987 United Nations World Commission on Environment
and
Development
‘Our
Common Future’. Therefore, it has been also defined as balancing the fulfillment of human needs with the protection of the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. A primary goal of sustainable development is to achieve a reasonable and enjoyable distributed level of economic well-being that can be. And hard working in achieving the goals, the field of sustainable development which can be conceptually divided into four general dimensions: social, economic, environmental and institutional apply for in principles of sustainability. The first three dimensions address
key principles of sustainability while the final dimension addresses key institutional policy and capacity issues.
II Explain the Factors that Affect the Sustainability of an Organization’s Activities Corporation sustainability development is that whatever organisation achieve existence or develop sustainably, organisation must consider not only realizing the goals but improving the market shares. At the same time, they have to keep the increasing profit and competition ability in which the competition areas they had and expand the future organize environment. They are always sparing their effects to promise businesses’ profit at a long time. Sustainable development is to consider the needs of current development but also the future development. Sustainable development should not at the expense of costing the latter part benefits, which is to be in exchange for the development and meeting the benefits now. At the same time, sustainable development also includes the face of unexpected shocks of the environment while continuing to maintain the development trend of a development. Factors that affect the sustainability of an organization’s activities are from the seven areas: a) business environment industries b) strategic resources which companies owned or controlled c) business core competencies d) the capacity of corporate strategy e) entrepreneurship f) enterprise culture and continuous innovation.
Nowadays, more and more studies divided the factors that affect the sustainability into three levels: a) the relationship between organizations and external market b) the dominant external market c) Corporation core sustainable abilities. Generally speaking, the relationship between business and external market is at the most outer layer. It is important to the formation of business sustainable conditions which can enhance or weaken the ability to achieve or loss of resources. The dominant external market is a prerequisite for the formation of dominance relation which have a basic implementation and in a relatively outer. Corporation core sustainable abilities are the most important sustainable resource for providing creative and decisive which decided the adaptability to changes in the market and it is in the most persistent factor in layers. It is the unique knowledge of non-tradable and non-imitate owned by corporation. The analysis figure about factors that affect the sustainability of an organization’s activities as follows:
III Discuss How an Organization Can Improve Sustainable Practice on A Local and National Scale For more than 130 years, Henkel has worked toward achieving sustainable development. Sustainability and corporate social responsibility (CSR) are part of their DNA. In their corporate values, they therefore declare our dedication to sustainable and responsible business practices. Through their brands and technologies, and as an employer, they work to meet the needs of people today without compromising the development opportunities of future generations. This principle applies to all operations and throughout entire value chain – from raw materials, production and logistics to the use and disposal of our products.
The Wal-Mart Sustainability Award was presented to Henkel at Wal-Mart’s recent Supplier Summit held in Bentonville, Arkansas. This award recognized Henkel’s global effort as the supplier making the biggest contribution to sustainability. Key to this recognition is that Henkel, with its 130-plus years of experience in the sustainability field, has forged a significant partnership with Wal-Mart in their Sustainable Value Networks, including those focused on ingredients and packaging efforts. Henkel’s strategy includes a strong focus on its customers, and the company’s dedication to sustainability is one of the factors that generates real added value for its customers. Henkel is committed to ensuring that all its new products will make a contribution to sustainable development in at least one of its declared focal areas: Energy and Climate, Water and Wastewater, Materials and Waste, Safety and Health, and Social Progress (See figure). In 2008 Henkel launched a broadbased and globally aligned sustainability initiative for its laundry and home care products, under the framework “Quality & Responsibility.” Detailed information is provided to customers and consumers, explaining how they can conserve resources, contribute to climate protection and avoid waste by using Henkel products. In a word, Henkel’s record on sustainability and corporate social responsibility has been recognized on a global level. In December 2008 the company was recognized as “Germany’s Most Sustainable Brand” at the first German Sustainability Congress. And in September 2008, Henkel was the only company in the FMCG
(fast moving consumer goods) market segment to be included in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index (DJSI World). Only 10 percent of the world’s 2,500 largest companies make the grade for inclusion in the DJSI World.