In recent years, the topic of sustainable management has gained an appreciable amount of substance. Just a few years ago, sustainable management was usually discussed in terms of the communications benefits of creating a ‘positive image,’ whereas today it is gaining prominence due to discussion of long-term economic aspects. The fact is that China, India, Brazil and South Africa are no longer considered the world’s ‘factories’; they are also the most booming markets. Western companies are rethinking their conduct in developing and emerging countries. Their production facilities are taking on the role of ‘social anchors’; they are insisting that their suppliers comply with global standards, and they are recognising the value of sustainable management. AgenZ has been observing these companies and providing advice on how to implement appropriate measures.
Managing the business environment
For a German-based company, the world extends beyond the factory gate. Recognising that they need skilled workers, companies invest in apprenticeship positions and vocational training; knowing that they need healthy workers, they invest in preventive health measures and health care. Companies in Germany manage their business environment and those with operations in developing countries would be well advised to put even more effort into that for reasons that go beyond merely maintaining their image.> more …
Study: Sustainable management in emerging countries
‘Corporate sustainability is like teenage sex. Everybody talks about it. Nobody does it very much. And when they do they don’t do it very well,’ said Joel Makower, founder of GreenBiz.com a few years ago, joking about the CSR initiatives of billion-dollar multinationals. GIZ AgenZ carried out a study in India to determine whether that also applies to German companies’ involvement in emerging countries.> more ...
Presentation: Five theories concerning sustainable business management
Why is sustainable management both an art and a craft at the same time, what challenges do businesses today have to face and what has the Chinese cork oak got to do with the philosopher Jürgen Habermas? Andreas von Schumann, Director of GIZ AgenZ, shed light on these questions in a presentation he gave at Berlin’s Akademie der Künste on 10 September 2009.> The presentation (in German) in pdf format
Study: Sustainable business management as a key factor in the future
It is important that businesses avoid simply using sustainability as a convenient label; it is crucial that they actually do what it says on the box. In 2006, GIZ (then GTZ) AgenZ conducted a survey of 20 German companies ranging from Adidas to Volkswagen asking them about their attitude and actions with regard to sustainable management. The findings: although all the companies engage theoretically with the topic, in most cases a decisive building block is missing.> more …
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