University Business Development: Sustainability Reflective Report

This reflective report delves into the concept of sustainability and its relevance across various business domains. The report highlights the importance of sustainability in corporate settings, emphasizing the need for responsible practices to ensure long-term business viability. It explores sustainable development, change management, and the adoption of ethical considerations in business operations, including the application of Lewin's change management model. The author reflects on the benefits of incorporating these practices, such as improved resource management, the development of ethical values, and enhanced corporate social responsibility. The report also discusses the challenges of scarcity of resources and the importance of change management in the current business environment, concluding with a call for the adoption of sustainability policies based on ethical principles for both present and future success. The report references various academic sources to support its arguments, offering a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

SUSTAINABILITY

TABLE OF CONTENTS
REFLECTIVE REPORT.................................................................................................................1
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4

REFLECTIVE REPORT
The concept of sustainability refers to level which is necessary to be maintained at a
specific rate. The mentioned concept is relevant in various areas as it helps in managing the
resources that have been used in work. From various studies about the concept of sustainability
in various areas, I have learnt about the necessity of it in each and every area. I learned that this
concept has got more relevance in the present time as it is not only essential in present context
but also with regards to future time. In corporate business terms, the organisations can be termed
as responsible if they follow the concept of sustainability in their work (Hawken, 2010.). I came
to know from various studies carried which were carried out by me that in context of
management and businesses, it is crucial to perform all types of work with a scope of
sustainability so that the companies can have a space to develop themselves in a better way. By
learning about sustainability, I personally learned to take care of things and using them wisely
which will be beneficial for me. Apart from this, it will also help in using the resources in a best
possible way so that there can be the least harm. The said concept is also related with the
development of ethics and values as with the helps of this habit, a person naturally develops
some ethics and values in himself which aids in moving towards the proper path. The study on
these factors have helped me in developing the required values and ethics in myself which are
essential at every stage of personal and professional life. Apart from this, I also made a deeper
study on sustainable development which is related with a principle of organising that can assist
in meeting varied goals. The concept of sustainability and sustainable development is mainly
concerned with management of resources and use it in wise way so that in future, there are less
possibilities of any short comings (Crane & Matten, 2016). I came to know that sustainable
development is based on a holistic approach. Sustainability and sustainable development, both
the concepts have been a matter of criticism.
I noticed that in context of business world, the changes are an inevitable concept that all
business organisations experience. The competition has increased to a great level which has
made all the firms to make plans that can help in incorporating strategies for surviving in a better
manner. I came to know that for attaining the better position in market it is necessary to adopt
changes as soon as possible so that any adverse impact of that change can be less. In addition to
this, the flexibility in working pattern must be developed so as to gain advantages with the
essence of sustainability. The changes in environment that can impact the business firms have
1

been discussed about in the model proposed by Lewin. Thus, I also learned a lot about the
change management in context of corporate world along with its importance for organisations.
This model has 3 stages of unfreeze, change and freeze (Melville, 2010). Through this model I
learned that for incorporating any type of change it is essential to understand the need for it. This
will help in better implementation with effective strategy. Apart from this, in any organisation,
change cannot be implemented directly as it needs a proper communication with all the persons
who are concerned with it and may be impacted from such changes. From this study, I came to
know that through this, way there will be less number of resistance towards change. This model
is also known as phase model of change. Further, the sustainability concept's importance is also
apparent in the economic production which refers to the system of ownership and control. I
learnt that with the concept of sustainable development, there is a need of maintaining the human
and social capital which gets exhausted through continuous use. This necessitates the condition
of implementing the concept of sustainability so as to maintain the required resources in plenty
quantity (Wiek, Withycombe & Redman, 2011). Besides this, I also noticed that, industries and
various sectors operating in the society have gained a better position and a positive image in the
market after adopting the concept of sustainability.
From the study of report which contains various discussions about sustainability and
development, I have learned a lot more things about it which will be beneficial in respect of
personal and professional career. Apart from this, the discussion about the change management
has also proved to be of good knowledge which has helped me in understanding the importance
of applying change within organisation. Further, the application of change with its proper
process through which it can be applied with less number of resistance has helped me in gaining
the knowledge of managing the people and change in a better context. Moreover, with the
development of knowledge the discussion over the sustainability and change management has
also helped me in knowing about various issues that are prevailing in present context (Markard,
Raven & Truffer, 2012). The most crucial issue is related to scarcity of resources for business
firms and proper implementation of change within the premises. Because of these issues, various
problems are faced by the people concerned with the companies both in direct and indirect way.
Thus, I discovered that it is necessary to have a wise use of all the resources so that a better and
efficient management can be done. In addition to this, the role of ethics and value have a special
importance as it will help in bringing the improvements. I came to know that with the help of
2

ethics and values, the concept of sustainability can be developed among various individuals in a
better way that can help in gaining the required relevance in the field of sustainability. With the
help of developing this concept in a better way, the companies can manage themselves in a good
way. I learned the importance of various ethics related to corporate business world which is a
necessary element to be incorporated by every business firm so as to maintain a better position.
In all these activities, I also learned about the Corporate social responsibility which is also
closely linked with business development activities. All the knowledge gained from the study
carried out on all these activities have helped me in enhancing my personal and professional
knowledge (Hawken, 2010). The application of sustainability and change management can be
done easily on the basis of development of ethics and values.
In my opinion, the sustainability and its concept is highly important in present context
which will be beneficial for business organisations and society. But, in this implementation, it is
essential to carry out the activities on the basis of ethical considerations as well so that the
development phase can be implemented in a better way. Moreover, the relevance of change
management in the current business scenario is high as it helps in developing the business
concerns in a positive and efficient way. Thus, overall, I can say that for every business
organisation it is crucial to adopt the policy of sustainability so as to gain a better position in
present as well as in future.
3

REFERENCES
Journals and Books
Crane, A. & Matten, D., (2016). Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and
sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press.
Hawken, P., (2010). The ecology of commerce: A declaration of sustainability. New York, NY:
Harper Business.
Markard, J., Raven, R. & Truffer, B., (2012). Sustainability transitions: An emerging field of
research and its prospects. Research Policy. 41(6). pp. 955-967.
Melville, N.P., (2010). Information systems innovation for environmental sustainability. MIS
quarterly. 34(1). pp.1-21.
Wiek, A., Withycombe, L. & Redman, C.L., (2011). Key competencies in sustainability: a
reference framework for academic program development.Sustainability science. 6(2). pp.
203-218.