Business Sustainability and Social Media Tools

The provided assignment emphasizes the significance of businesses in sustainable development. It highlights how businesses can contribute to reducing water pollution, conserving water, and promoting environmental awareness through social media campaigns. The assignment also mentions the role of governments and regulatory bodies in supporting sustainable activities and business efforts.

Portfolio

Table of Contents
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
METHODOLOGY..........................................................................................................................1
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH.........................................................................................................1
CONCLIUSION..............................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
Analysis of social media conversation........................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

TASK 1
INTRODUCTION
In present report the title chosen is to generate awareness about sustainable development
related to availability of clean water, sanitation issues to people. in present era, people are highly
facing issue related to clean water. The title is refined by analyzing practices which is been
adopted by business in sustainable development.
METHODOLOGY
There were several methods which was used or applied in finding out relevant data and
information. it helped researcher in conducting research in systematic way.
Research design- In this basically there are two types of research design followed. They are
qualitative and quantitative (Holden and et.al., 2017). in this qualitative research method was
used to find out what efforts are been taken by company to resolve clean water issue.
Research philosophy- There are many philosophy approaches such as realism, positivism, etc.
for present research realism approach is followed. This will assist researcher in finding what is
the impact of following sustainable practices.
Research approach- There are three types of research approach that are inductive, deductive
and conclusive. in context to present research, inductive approach will be used.
Data collection - usually, there are two types of data collection method that are primary and
secondary. here, secondary data collection method was used to gather data.
SUMMARY OF RESEARCH
In recent time, people are facing many issues related to availability of clean water.
Generally, the issues are occurring in rural areas due to lack of availability of clean drinking
water is not available. Therefore, it is highly affecting physical health of people. In order to get
fresh drinking water rural people, have to go to other places. They have to cover a large distance
to find water. Furthermore, in villages the sources of clean drinking water are finished. The water
contained by them is polluted and not good for using purpose. Sanitation is also a major problem.
due to improper disposal of waste human health condition is highly affected.
As said by Charles Jr, Schmidheiny and Watts, 2017, in may urban areas people have
stated facing similar problem. they are not getting clean water for household purpose. This is
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because of increase in level of water pollution. Thus, it is necessary to reduce pollution so that
clean water can be available. This can be done by businesses by following the concept of
sustainable development. here, they need to make efforts to reduce water pollution. In a study
conducted by Nicolescu, 2018, it has been found that many large organizations have taken major
steps in sustainable development. they are highly involved in following different types of
practices. By implementing the concept of three R’s that is reuse, recycle and reduce great
improvements is been made. Now, water is disposed at a particular place. Alongside it,
hazardous waste materials are disposed far away from lakes and rivers.
In the view of Nilsson, Griggs and Visbeck, 2016, water treatment plants are
established by business where water is refined and harmful pollutants are removed from it. then,
it is disposed in rivers or lakes. It has led to decrease in water pollution. In addition to this, water
is reused in areas such as washing, gardening, etc. thus, rives are not polluted and people in rural
areas get clean drinking water. For example, in country like India government has launched a
national campaign namely Swachh Bharat. The aim of this is to provide a clean and safe
environment to society. It has allowed businesses and public to get involved and contribute
towards society. The performance of sustainable development is measured to identify what
efforts were made in these areas. So, accordingly strategies are developed and actions are taken
to improve it. it has beneficial in developing long term plans and contributing more towards
sustainable development.
According to Wheeler and Beatley, 2014, for providing clean water businesses highly
contributes in CSR. the major step taken by them is developing household water treatment and
safe storage. Organizations are providing those facilities and building those plants in rural areas.
Another practice taken is reducing the use of chlorine. company are trying to eliminate chlorine
by modifying their production process. as elucidated by Vladimirova and Le Blanc, 2016,
different awareness and campaign are been organized by businesses. It has helped in decrease in
water pollution. They have collaborated with NGO’s and local authority to aware people about
consumption of water. There are several start ups which are been established to work towards
solving these issues. companies have taken step to reduce carbon footprints. It has provided
major benefit in decrease in water pollution.
In opinion of Imran, Alam and Beaumont, 2014, in order to provide sanitation facilities
financial support is been provided to people. Business have fixed a percentage of revenue to
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contribute towards improving sanitation system in rural areas. Biodegradable products are been
produced through waste materials. Also, products like tissue are been developed and provided to
people. In rural areas basic infrastructure is been developed to provide necessity sanitation
services. According to Holden and et.al., 2017, in countries like South Africa international
agencies with help of big organization are making efforts in clean drinking water and reducing
water pollution. Besides this, businesses are innovating procedure or method to for disposal of
human waste. This has resulted in effective and proper treatment of waste materials. Sanitations
vehicles are deigned to allow poor people to use that. The sewage systems are linked together
with urban areas. They are used to dispose human waste and outside city.
Hence, initiating these steps has contributed in improving sanitating facilities.
As said by Nicolescu, 2018 sustainable development is integral part of business. they
have to engage in following several practices so that issues such as clean water, sanitation, etc.
are solved. Many agencies are involved providing those facilities to people. Also, country like
India have taken initiative that till 2030 safe drinking water will be provided to all. Till 2020 to
protect water resources such as lake, rivers, etc. there are many other actions which is taken in
order to improve sanitation services. According to Wheeler and Beatley, 2014, the focus is on
rural areas where such issues are commonly faced. There is shift in strategy and emphasis.
Another step taken is integrating with other businesses to make developments in rural areas. In
today’s era, reverse osmosis equipment is used by people in urban and rural areas. Enterprises
are providing this tool to poor people at free of cost. it is used to purify water by removing
harmful particles from it. this has helped to a great extent in refining water in rural areas.
CONCLIUSION
It can be concluded that sustainable development is a major concern for many businesses.
It is because people are facing problems like non availability of clean water, sanitation, etc. in
regard to this, big firms have certain initiatives to practice sustainable development. they have
applied concept of three R’s that is reduce, recycle and reuse. Furthermore, business have taken
certain initiatives and developed long term plans on how they will promote sustainable
development. they have organized various awareness programs and campaigns and collaborated
with NGO to practice services. They have also built household water treatment plants in rural
areas to provide clean water. The use of chlorine is reduced and hazardous materials are disposed
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far away from water sources. The performance of sustainable development is measured to
identify what efforts were made in these areas.
TASK 2
Analysis of social media conversation
Introduction
After gathering information about sustainable development, the analysis of social media
conversation was done. It helped in finding out what methods or action are been taken by
business to provide clean water and improve sanitation facilities.
Search methodology
In order to identify and collect proper data and information on sustainable development a
proper methodology was applied (Holden and et.al., 2017). In this there were several elements
taken into consideration. Also, there were some key terms on which emphasis was made such as
clean water, sanitation, etc. moreover, only recent data was taken and rural areas was focused on.
In addition, the secondary data was searched by inserting key word of sustainable development.
apart from it, the countries which are underdeveloped or developing was determined and then
data was collected. Another key term used was government. It helped in finding how local
authorities are supporting businesses. Therefore, by key terms it was easy to collect data in
proper way
The limitation of analysis is it only focuses on recent data, so it becomes difficult to
identify what contribution is made by business earlier and how it has resulted in sustainable
practice. Furthermore, the data of developed countries was ignored, so what business has done
there was not included. It could have given knowledge about present measures been taken and
how it has helped in providing clean water. Thus, the data was not proper analyzed.
Results and analysis
The business organizations must understand the need of sustainable development so that
they can continue their long term growth despite of emerging challenges. On social networking
sites people, other competitive organizations and government regulating authorities are initiating
campaigns for promoting the goals of sustainable (Rowledge and et.al., 2017). The efforts of
business groups are promoted and appreciated on twitter and other networking sites. This
promotion creates a positive impression on the target audience as well as on government bodies.
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The range of people who are having more concerns towards the protection and
conservation of the environment tend to prefer product and services which are in alignment with
the sustainability. The number of such people is rising day by day. Thus, it is important for the
business groups to understand these demands and to make strategies accordingly. The business
organizations can also use social media networking sites as the monitoring and evaluation tools.
They can search the tools for sustainability which are used by different people and organizations
in various parts of the world. Thus, information assets and innovations can be introduced by
analyzing these efforts.
When people observes the sustainability related activities and measures adopted by the
organizations then they tend to develop more loyal behavior and interest towards the company.
In such cases people believes that by supporting the organization they are supporting
environment indirectly. It is directly beneficial for the business as it increases sales and give
positive mouth referrals. The promotional benefits achieved by the organization through these
events is long lasting and has more influence on the consumers. The suppliers and other
stakeholders of the business processes are motivated to join hands with the business which is in
news for its positive efforts.
The business efforts towards sustainability are also beneficial for the growth of
organization. Along with the business organizations and communities there are various
government officials and regulating bodies which provides support to such sustainable activities
and business efforts (Maes and Jacobs, 2017). The governments can approach the business
groups and can provide suitable rewards, taxation benefits or appreciation in context with the
corporate social responsibility of the business groups. Thus, it can be analyzed that for ensuring
long term productivity and success the business organizations must make their business,
sustainability goals and social media tools in alignment with each other. This approach will make
the business process more cost effective, beneficial, productive and efficient.
Conclusion
It can be summarized that businesses are highly involved in sustainable development.
they have developed strategies and organized awareness programs. Moreover, they have started
taking initiative to reduce use water pollution. Many organizations have created long term goals.
there has been rise in maintaining of sewage facilities in rural area. Business has designed tools
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on how to conserve water and implemented in rural area. Also, the collaboration with local
agencies has contributed in monitoring of policies. However, businesses are promoting
campaigns on social media through help of their plans and goals.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Charles Jr, O.H., Schmidheiny, S. and Watts, P., 2017. Walking the talk: The business case
for sustainable development. Routledge.
Holden, E. and et.al., 2017. The Imperatives of Sustainable Development: Needs, Justice,
Limits. Routledge.
Imran, S., Alam, K. and Beaumont, N., 2014. Reinterpreting the definition of sustainable
development for a more ecocentric reorientation. Sustainable Development. 22(2). pp.134-144.
Maes, J. and Jacobs, S., 2017. Nature‐based solutions for Europe's sustainable
development. Conservation Letters. 10(1). pp.121-124.
Nicolescu, B., 2018. The transdisciplinary evolution of the university condition for
sustainable development. In Transdisciplinary Theory, Practice and Education (pp. 73-81).
Springer, Cham.
Nilsson, M., Griggs, D. and Visbeck, M., 2016. Policy: map the interactions between
Sustainable Development Goals. Nature News. 534 (7607). p.320.
Rowledge, L.R. and et.al., 2017. Mapping the Journey: case studies in strategy and action
toward sustainable development. Routledge.
Vladimirova, K. and Le Blanc, D., 2016. Exploring links between education and sustainable
development goals through the lens of UN flagship reports. Sustainable Development. 24(4).
pp.254-271.
Wheeler, S.M. and Beatley, T. eds., 2014. Sustainable urban development reader.
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