Sustainable Business

Running Head: SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS
Sustainable Business
Name
Institution Affiliate

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Sustainable Business
I perceive a sustainable business as an enterprise which strives to have a minimal
negative influence on the environment, community and its people. A sustainable business is also
referred to as a green business since it normally acts in the favor of people and the environment
by observing the rights and policies enacted (Capaldi, Idowu, & Schmidpeter, 2017).
Examples of business using sustainable business
A sustainable business to me comprises of principles and products which are
environmentally friendly. The Ford Motor Company which was created by Henry Ford was the
pioneer for sustainable business in the early years (Shurtleff & Aoyagi, 2011). In 2008 a Subaru
assembly plant in Lafayette implemented the principles and policies of a sustainable business
into their organization. This led to an increase in production of the automobiles and also a
decrease in the number of accidents in the years between 2008 to 2012. A sustainable business
also faces some challenges and issues. Hence approaches and concepts of surpassing these issues
are incorporated into the business (Heizer & Render, 2014). Nike franchise is a giant in the
sports industry by using efficient innovation and technology strategies on its products
production. The company uses a sustainable business plan and this has led to its current success.
75% of all Nike shoes and other products contain recycled materials. Nike creates a vast list of
products from plastic materials and manufacturing scraps into new products (Hargadon, 2015).
Triple Bottom Line and business
I regard it as a system used by a business to assess the profits it generates through its
corporate sustainability solutions. This type of thinking enables the business to broaden its profit-
making indifferent. The triple bottom line has three concepts social, environmental, and

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economic or financial profits. Social sustainability measures the business profits in human
capital. If one endorses fair and beneficial labor practices through engaging in the corporate
community with his or her employees the business tends to profit immensely. This ensures a
reliable workforce for even the future since the community will be motivated to join the business
after witnessing what the organization is all about. Environmental sustainability enables a
business to realize that to be successful, it must use small amounts of natural resources for it to
have a smaller impact on the environment. It also encourages waste reduction and green policies
to be included in business strategies. Economic sustainability tends to measure the influence of
the business economic capital has on its economic environment. The business flourishes because
it supports all the economic health of its community. I believe that using the triple bottom line in
business helps you understand and identify the impact your business has on the environment and
its community (Weidinger, Schmidpeter, & Fischler, 2014).
Forms of Capital
To me, a sustainable business uses all forms of capital that the business has. Financial
capital is normally generated from debt and equity of the business because it tends to influence
the successful start of the business. Human capital is the skills and abilities that the employees
provide the company with. Companies that value human capital that is the well-being of their
employees experience immense benefits. This occurs because the employees are happy and
efficient work is normally carried out. Intellectual capital is the skill sets and knowledge that
employees provide for the company that gives it an advantage to its other competitors.
Manufacturing capital is the economic value of all the resources used. Companies should ensure
that all the resources are used effectively and efficiently. Social capital involves the tangible and
non-tangible resources such as information, innovative ideas and financial support which aid in