Sustainability and Business Ethics

This report discusses the concept of sustainability and business ethics, benefits of reducing carbon foot print for Microsoft, and strategies for performing in a sustainable and ethical way. It includes a literature review, questionnaire, and data analysis. The aim is to ultimately remove organization carbon foot print to ensure sustainable and ethical global development. The report is relevant for students studying business ethics, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility.

Sustainability and Business
Ethics
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Title: Sustainability and Business Ethics.........................................................................................3
Rationale/ Background...........................................................................................................3
Introduction............................................................................................................................4
Aim of the research................................................................................................................4
Objectives of the research......................................................................................................4
Research Questions Or Hypothesise......................................................................................4
Research Strategy (Qualitative/Quantitative).........................................................................5
P r i m a r y / S e c o n d a r y Research..................................................................................5
Sources of Data Population and Sampling...........................................................................12
Data collection methods.......................................................................................................12
Time plan and resources required.........................................................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
Introduction to business/industry.........................................................................................15
UN Sustainable Development goals considered...................................................................15
Why you’ve chosen this business/industry (gap analysis)...................................................15
Primary research findings.....................................................................................................15
Initiative proposal.................................................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15
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Title: Sustainability and Business Ethics
Rationale/ Background
The selection of the present research topic is based upon sustainable and business ethics in order
to have positive contribution upon communities and individuals lives, as this has been evaluated
that environment is adversely affected due to increase in carbon dioxide and other harmful gases
emitted by companies which is affecting air quality and further affecting individual’s life (Ab
Wahab, 2021). Selection of current topic effectively facilitate efficient form of information’s
relation to the practices through which company can contribute in sustainability with positive
business ethics. Along with the selection of current topic is important in researcher as this fulfil
academic and education purpose and also ensure in making improvement in environment
sustainability.
Introduction
The world is facing with a dire carbon issue which is in environment and is made a cover
of gas that traps heat which is driving towards extraordinary change in worldwide environment.
This is additionally prompting placed expansion in earth temperature and are influencing every
single living perspective in the world. It has been recognized from number of mainstream
researchers that human action is the central point which is delivering huge loads of ozone
harming substances into air of earth. Alongside this carbon dioxide is additionally the significant
component which is making barometrical issue. It is fundamental to embrace critical activity to
battle environmental change by decreasing emanation of carbon and advancing advancement in
sustainable power.
This report is made on Microsoft performing its operations as multinational technology
company. This association is being chosen, as this organization is moving towards ambitious
goal along with this, this company is operating in technology sector which is having major
impact upon upcoming future. Report includes formative discussion upon one of the UN
sustainable development goals which is its Goal number 11: Sustainable cities and communities.
In relation to this, by emphasising upon this goal Microsoft by planning to remove carbon
footprint can effectively support in environmental strengthening by enhancing air quality.
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Aim of the research
“To ultimately remove organisation carbon foot print to ensure sustainable and ethical
global development”. A case study of Microsoft
Objectives of the research
• To identify the concept of sustainability and business ethics.
• To determine the benefit of removing carbon foot print upon Microsoft business ethics.
• To evaluate the ways to remove carbon foot print.
Research Questions Or Hypothesise
• What is the concept of sustainability and business ethics?
• What are the benefits of removing carbon foot print upon Microsoft business ethics?
• What are the ways to remove carbon foot print?
Research Strategy (Qualitative/Quantitative)
Research strategies plays important role in conducting work, there are number of research
strategies that are action research, case study, survey experimental and more. In terms with
present research use of survey research strategy in order to acquire information form respondents
in order to acquire quantitative data.
P r i m a r y / S e c o n d a r y Research
In order to fulfil research objectives, use of both primary and secondary method is
undertaken. This will significantly help in acquiring lot of data and information through which
in-depth analysis and understanding of the research objectives can be undertaken.
Literature Review
Concept of sustainability and business ethics
As per the viewpoint of Buallay, 2021 sustainability is defined as a practice of living in ways in
order to maintain as well as protect natural resources such as forests, air, soil water and wetlands.
It is essential for organisation to emphasize upon sustainable act and practices in their corporate
social responsibility activities in effective manner. While in terms of business ethics it is defined
as potential in analytics framework through which company can determine management
practices in sustainability and general. Business Ethics play important role through which
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company can enhance their reputation. Sustainable practices allow company to attract and retain
new consumers and enhance brand.
Benefits of removing carbon foot print upon Microsoft business ethics
As per the view point of Stough, Ceulemans and Cappuyns, 2021 it has been recognized
that with the assistance of this task Microsoft will underline upon every living in the world. It has
been identified that because of the increment in carbon footprint every single living life form is
confronting number of adverse issues like persistent expansion in temperature. It is also causing
bad impact upon air quality. In this with the help of number of exercises, for example, moving
from fuel to sustainable power will be attempted spot in which organization will likewise
embrace benefit of inexhaustible measures in their creation interaction as to achieve this activity.
With the assistance of this undertaking organization will relieve the issue of expansion in carbon
footprint from the climate, as it has been distinguished that because of carbon there is a cover of
gas made in environment which is constantly catching warmth and changing environment of
world. This is influencing each individual fundamental ability. Subsequently with assistance of
this Microsoft can gain benefits in terms of fundamentally give supportable improvement in
environment and significantly mitigate the issue of poor air quality due to increase in carbon
emission. It will also benefit company in terms of having positive business ethics towards
environment that will increase organisation brand image and long-term sustainability in market.
Ways to remove carbon foot print
According to the view point of Laasch, 2021there are number of ways through which
company can viably move towards this objective. It is perhaps the most important aim of
Microsoft in which they will eliminate carbon from the climate. Thus, in this it is essential for
company to undertake use of various form of ways in order to remove carbon footprint. In this,
with the assistance of buying the evacuation of 1.3 million metric huge loads of carbon from 15
providers across 26 undertakings all throughout the planet. With the assistance of this target
organization can make another point as well as dynamic economic environment which is
considered quite possibly the best starting advance of this organization. Along with this
Microsoft on their first year by decreasing emanation of carbon by 6% which is around 730,000
metric tons can fulfil it’s aim. Along with this, organization with the assistance of submitted
towards straightforwardness will assess these targets as indicated by their yearly manageability
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report. It has been recognized that Microsoft centre capabilities incorporate technological
innovation, brand recognition, talented human resources, product portfolio, financial position and
distribution network. Thus, by emphasising upon all these capabilities company can remove
carbon foot print.
Questionnaire
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Email:
Q1) Are you aware with the concept of sustainability and business ethics?
a) Yes
b) No
Q2) According to you, corporate sustainability is important for company’s international
growth?
a) Yes
b) No
Q3) According to you, what are the strategies through which business can become perform in
sustainable and ethical way?
a) Contribute in environment protection
b) Reduce negative practices that are affecting environment
c) All the above
Q4) As per your opinion, what are the benefits of reducing carbon foot print for Microsoft?
a) Strong business ethical practices towards community
b) Supporting in sustainable development
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c) Increase in company profitability
d) long term sustainability
Frequency Table
Q1) Are you aware with the concept of sustainability and business ethics? Frequency
a) Yes 15
b) No 5
Q2) According to you, corporate sustainability is important for company’s
international growth?
Frequency
a) Yes 16
b) No 4
Q3) According to you, what are the strategies through which business can
become perform in sustainable and ethical way?
Frequency
a) Contribute in environment protection 12
b) Reduce negative practices that are affecting environment 4
c) All the above 4
Q4) As per your opinion, what are the benefits of reducing carbon foot print for
Microsoft?
Frequency
a) Strong business ethical practices towards community 7
b) Supporting in sustainable development 4
c) Increase in company profitability 3
d) long term sustainability 6
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Theme 1) Concept of sustainability and business ethics
Q1) Are you aware with the concept of sustainability and business ethics? Frequency
a) Yes 15
b) No 5
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
15
5
Chart Title
Interpretation:
As per the above graph 15 respondents out of 30 are aware with the concept of
sustainability and business ethics while remaining 5 does not have any form of awareness.
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Theme 2) To identify importance of corporate sustainability for company’s international
growth
Q2) According to you, corporate sustainability is important for company’s
international growth?
Frequency
a) Yes 16
b) No 4
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
16
4
Series1 Series2 Series3
Interpretation:
Above-mentioned graph states that 16 respondents said that corporate social
responsibility is important for organisational international growth. While on the other hand
remaining 4 does not agree with the same.
Theme 3) Strategies through which business can become perform in sustainable and ethical
way
Q3) According to you, what are the strategies through which business can
become perform in sustainable and ethical way?
Frequency
a) Contribute in environment protection 12
b) Reduce negative practices that are affecting environment 4
c) All the above 4
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a) Contribute in
environment protection b) Reduce negative
practices that are
affecting environment
c) All the above
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
12
4 4
Chart Title
Interpretation:
About mental state that for respondents said by contributing in environmental protection
is essential strategy that allowed business to perform in sustainable as well as ethical manner.
While 4 respondents go with reducing negative practices that are affecting environment. At last 4
respondent's out of 20 said all the above strategy will allow company to perform in ethical and
sustainable manner.
Theme 4) Benefits of reducing carbon foot print for Microsoft
Q4) As per your opinion, what are the benefits of reducing carbon foot print for
Microsoft?
Frequency
a) Strong business ethical practices towards community 7
b) Supporting in sustainable development 4
c) Increase in company profitability 3
d) long term sustainability 6
10

0
2
4
6
7
4 3
6
Chart Title
Interpretation:
Above-mentioned graph state that 7 respondents said that the benefit of reducing carbon
footprint for Microsoft is strong business ethical practices towards community. While 4
respondents go with supporting in sustainable development. Along with these 3 respondents said
that increase in company profitability is a major benefit of reducing carbon footprint. At last, 6
goes with long-term sustainability.
Sources of Data Population and Sampling
To acquire data and information selection of sample size from the whole population is
done. In this, probability sampling is being undertaken as this effectively assist in taking
quantitative information. Respondents are 20 stakeholders of company those are selected on
random basis.
Data collection methods
In order to collect data use of both primary and secondary method will be undertaken.
Main reason behind this is to acquire various sources of information and data to accomplish
research objective. In terms with primary data questionnaire method is undertaken while in
relation with secondary data collection methods view points of various scholars are required in
the form of literature review. Both of these methods help in having in-depth analysis of the aim.
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Time plan and resources required
All the objectives will have positive and significant impact on international framework. This will
also aid organisation to undertake use of strong CSR practices through which they can
successfully ensure long term sustainability with higher business ethics. It is essential for large
scale organisation like Microsoft to have sustainable professional practices and aim towards
contributing in sustainable communities (Trollman and Colwill, 2021). Thus, in order to fulfil the
sustainable cities and communities’ goal, company will remove carbon emission in order to
contribute in higher air quality. However, to fulfil this objective company developed a pathway
to be carbon negative by 2030.
Figure 1: Microsoft pathway to be carbon negative by 2030
In addition to this, the resources that are required to accomplish these objectives include
advanced analytics, use of AI, support of all of its suppliers, engagement of all of its
stakeholders, use of market and pricing mechanisms, applied research efforts on carbon,
enhanced cross-border collaboration to develop the breakthrough technologies needed to achieve
net zero global emissions, government funds, carbon-reduction technologies, strong cloud
infrastructure and supply chain and new 24/7 matching solution with Vattenfal
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CONCLUSION
According to the above-mentioned report has been concluded that sustainability and
business ethics plays important role for organisation through which they can not only contribute
positively in community but can also fulfil international goals. It helps company to enhance their
brand reputation and allow them to perform that business operation for longer period of time
while assuring higher profitability growth and development. Present port include certain benefits
and waste through which business can significantly contribute in protecting sustainability of
environment which will provide fruitful results for organisation in number of ways.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Ab Wahab, M., 2021. Is an unsustainability environmentally unethical? Ethics orientation,
environmental sustainability engagement and performance. Journal of Cleaner Production, 294,
p.126240.
Buallay, A., 2021. Sustainability reporting and agriculture industries’ performance: worldwide
evidence. Journal of Agribusiness in Developing and Emerging Economies.
Laasch, O., 2021. Principles of Management: Practicing Ethics, Responsibility, Sustainability.
SAGE.
Ordonez-Ponce, E., Clarke, A.C. and Colbert, B.A., 2021. Collaborative sustainable business
models: Understanding organizations partnering for community sustainability. Business &
Society, 60(5), pp.1174-1215.
Stough, T., Ceulemans, K. and Cappuyns, V., 2021. Unlocking the potential of broad, horizontal
curricular assessments for ethics, responsibility and sustainability in business and economics
higher education. Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 46(2), pp.297-311.
Trollman, H. and Colwill, J., 2021. The imperative of embedding sustainability in business: A
model for transformational sustainable development. Sustainable Development.
Valentinov, V. and Pérez-Valls, M., 2021. A conception of moral wayfinding for business
managers: The obligation for a sustainable corporation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 284,
p.124771.
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