MGT-613 Report: Leadership for Sustainable Futures Analysis

This report provides an in-depth analysis of George Weston Foods (GWF) and its commitment to sustainable development goals (SDGs). It examines GWF's initiatives across various areas, including product quality, supply chain management, employee welfare, community engagement, and environmental protection. The report highlights GWF's efforts to minimize environmental impact, promote responsible consumption, and ensure ethical sourcing practices. It reviews the company's strategies, such as reducing waste, utilizing renewable energy, and supporting community projects. The report concludes that GWF is effectively pursuing SDGs through its focus on quality, supply chain, people, community and environment, offering recommendations for continued improvement. The report also includes a literature review discussing the importance of sustainability in business and the challenges companies face in implementing sustainable practices.

Leadership for sustainable futures

Leadership for sustainable futures 1
Executive summary
The leadership for sustainable development requires an inner procedure in which the
leader is grounded in self-understanding and relational outlook of the world to effectively
working with others to amend changes. The performance of any organization pursuing to
attain SDG depends on the leadership. Attaining SDGs necessitate efforts of the organization
along with the government, society and local community. This report includes the sustainable
development goals of George Weston Foods (GWF). The present scenarios of the
organization are undertaken along with the options for action.
In the end, it can be determined that GWF is effectively gratifying SDGs through the
initiatives deliberated for the quality, supply chain, people, community and environment.

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Contents
Executive summary...............................................................................................................................1
Introduction...........................................................................................................................................3
Background...........................................................................................................................................4
Literature review...................................................................................................................................4
Conclusion.............................................................................................................................................7
Recommendations.................................................................................................................................7
References.............................................................................................................................................8
Appendices..........................................................................................................................................10

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Introduction
Several challenges are being faced in the environment due to climate change,
inequality, water security, and hunger. These problems can be determined at a universal level
by encouraging sustainable development. It is a obligation to social advancement,
environmental stability, and economic growth. The development is driven by one specific
need without even deliberating the wider or future impacts. The sustainable development
comprises a set of measures directing to balance economic progress and environmental
protection along with being aware of the requirement to address several inequalities. The
sustainable development goals as a part of sustainable development protect the planet and
guarantee the wellbeing of the people. Such communal goals entail the active involvement of
the individuals, business, administrations, and nations around the world. This report
comprises the key sustainable development goals of George Weston Foods (GWF). It is one
of Australia and New Zealand’s main food manufacturer. GWF is a completely owned
subsidiary of Associated British Foods plc. The company is committed to reducing the
environmental impact of the business along with offering high-quality products and services
in a sustainable manner. GWF makes it possible by dedicating to customer awareness and
commitment to constantly improving the environment and sustainable performance of the
concerning business activities. This organization has been selected due to its efforts
protecting the interest of the community. The environment is given great importance. The
company acts responsibly towards distributors and retailers in order to minimize the
environmental impact on the earth.
GWF believes in an effective way by striking a balance between economic, social and
environmental responsibilities by adopting sustainable development practices in the business
operations. The company requirements of the present generation without negotiating the
capability of future generations in order to meet needs. The company has gone for several
environmental principles into daily practices like complying with all the government rules
and regulations, performing an audit on a regular basis and executing environment
management systems. GWF believe sin minimizing waste through 3 Rs, reduce, reuse and
recycle. The company makes use of open and honest communication in order to identify
environmental concerns. The senior management of the company also reports regularly on
the environmental status and performance of the company. GWF is utilizing the best
technology which is economically attainable in business activities. The community

Leadership for sustainable futures 4
environmental projects are assisted and inspired by the company. It even makes efforts to
constantly enhancing environmental performance.
Background
This report presents the challenges faced by GWF concerning Responsible
Consumption and Production. The sustainable development goals (SDGs) are aimed by the
company encompassing an extensive range of global sustainable development targets for the
society, environment, and economy. GWF is having a high level of responsiveness towards
environmental sustainability and consumption of the resources (Nicolescu, 2018). The
company is having a accountable food business with the persistence to please people on the
regular possible. It is made possible through the modest preference of good food. The
accountability is one of the morals of the GWF and always looks for the ways to benefit
customers, public, community, environment and business for the long term (Khoo, 2017).
This report provides a detailed analysis of the corporate responsibility along with the
proposed solutions. GWF is deliberated to be an active member of the food industry (Lu,
Nakicenovic, Visbeck & Stevance, 2015).
Literature review
As per the views of Broman, et al. 2017, GWF has made some promises when it
comes to product quality. The company has decided criteria for the sodium as a fragment of
the National Heart Foundation Heart Tick Program and Voluntary Sodium Reduction
Roundtable initiative. The company has decided to reduce salt in its bread and small goods
from 2007. It has made a significant contribution in removing over 340 lots of salt from the
Australian nutrition. Add on, GWF assists customers in making healthy choices. The
organization is a associate of the GoScan program which assists customers in accessing true
information of the products through their mobile devices. Being a associate of the Australian
Food and Grocery Council’s Committee of Health, Nutrition, and Scientific Affairs, the
company offers proficient guidance on the supervisory issues which affects the food and the
concerned industry. According to Nilsson, Griggs & Visbeck, 2016, GWF is also a part of the
Allergen Bureau and share evidence and understanding to the customers to make sure
customers get pertinent, reliable and simple to comprehend info on the food allergens. Add
on, product security is ensured by the organization as a part of social responsibility. The
company is having several household brands and makes sure that products reach to the

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customers in the finest condition. As per the opinions of Warwick, 2016, the manufacturing
facilities of the GWF are certified to the local regulatory requirements accompanied by
globally recognized standards. The dedicated quality and operational teamwork quite hard to
attain austere quality standards.
The effective supply chain is SDG of the GWF. When it comes to the supply chain,
GWF has a most trusted supply chain. It is made sure by the company that suppliers share the
value of the organization. According to the views of Efthimiou, 2017, the company
necessitates its suppliers to abide by accountable obtaining code of conduct. It captures
prospects concerning ethical labor standards, corruption, anti-bribery and obtaining of the
materials and constituents. Other than the parent, the company has made a commitment to the
accountable sourcing of palm oil by 2015. The aim of the company now is to source and
source products which comprise certified sustainable palm oil. On the other side, a company
necessitates all the suppliers to obey with animal welfare laws and morals. It eases
traceability of the published standards of the company all the time. It is the cooperative
responsibility of the company to have safe transport and warehouse traffic management
environment. According to Suriyankietkaew, 2016, GWF has a sovereign inspected chain of
responsibility management system for whole supply chains across the global trade. The
company has even enabled a certified vendor assurance program which is used to audit
suppliers in contradiction of the pertinent supervisory, industry and customer standards.
According to Broman & Robèrt, 2017, GWF has employed over 6500 people in more
than 60 sites in New Zealand and Australia. From the point of view of people, safety is the
first priority of GWF. The company activated a word-class safety program and necessitates
people functioning with the association to be persistent in ensuring the safety of each other.
The company focuses on the development of the people through the literacy and numeracy
training, leadership and behavioral programs. GWF has enhanced working conditions that
people work with each other. Add on, diversity is another concern which is given importance
by the organization. The company believes in connecting the varied skills, proficiencies, and
viewpoints of all people and it is vivacious for the upcoming accomplishment of the
organization. The enclosure is another significant aspect of diversity. This aspect clasps an
extensive range of views in order to enhance decision making in the organization. As per the
views of Janhonen-Abruquah, Topp & Posti-Ahokas, 2018, the current initiative of GWF
comprise round table negotiations with frontrunners and training in mentoring, insensible
bias, consistent contact with the publics on leave and generate prospects for the disabled

Leadership for sustainable futures 6
people. GWF has enabled conditions for making itself a great place to work. The policies of
the organization reveal values from code of conduct to the standards of workplace behavior in
order to make it a great abode to work. The flexible workplace policy assists in balance work
and family commitments.
According to Gardner & Paulin, 2018, GWF has made great contribution in
supporting communities, customers and consumers. The company donates products to the
largest hunger-relief organization in Australia. It even deeds as a drain between the food and
grocery industry’s and the welfare sector’s requirements. The company offers food to more
than 2500 charities, society groups and 100 schools in Australia. The primary contribution to
be made by the company is through product donations. GWF has also taken initiative to
concentrate on the nourishing kids who practice hunger and food nutrition. The company
works straight with the schools and the organizations like KidsCan charity and city mission to
feed and educate kids along with the affordable nourishment. The company has increased its
role in offering to fund and supporting people in order to deliver innovative caring everyday
career program. This program is having the aim to inspire disadvantaged high school students
and familiarize to them to the domain of work. As per the opinions of Kolk, 2016, GWF
assists to its people to volunteer as iTrack an online mentor which is a program to assist
disadvantaged children. This program has a role in making disadvantaged people to realize
their latent in precarious leaving school year. The persons of the organization are permitted to
take 2 paid leaves every year to helper with the designated contributions. GWF also assists
and inspires to the automatic Payroll giving the program.
As per the views of Gray & Jones, 2016, the environmental targets are covered as a
part of the business performance measurements. GWF has deliberated to converse water as a
part of corporate responsibility and SDGs. The company has set a goal to reduce water
consumption 20% by the end of 2020 as compared to the 2011 baseline. The inclusive water
consumption was made less with a diversity of ingenuities like water recirculation; rainwater
harvesting and more advanced washing practices. The company has signed a contract with
the Australian packaging agreement which is an agreement between the organizations in the
supply chain and inclusive stages of the government to lessen the harmful impact of the
custom wrapping. According to Holmberg & Larsson, 2018, the recycling program of the
company also comprises flexible packaging. It also reclaims the packaging into strong
furniture for Australian communities. On the other hand, sustainable palm oil is used by the
organization as a part of being responsible towards the environment. The company is

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committed to the accountable sourcing of the palm oil. The company has also taken stages to
lessen greenhouse gas emissions from processes. It monitors the performance against the core
targets. GWF also requires its suppliers to obey with the accountable sourcing code of
conduct and captures the opportunities concerning sustainable sourcing practices.
Conclusion
From the above analysis, it can be concluded that GWF does not compromise when it
comes to quality. The company has taken significant initiatives to assist customers in making
healthy choices. GWF even ensured product safety by undertaking strict quality standards.
The company has also most trusted supply chain and the suppliers of the company are audited
against the relevant standards. The people of the organization are also safeguarded by the
world-class safety program. They are developed by the programs and training in order to
enhance the way they work with each other. There is an endless number of communities
supported by the organization to empower people. The environmental targets have been also
decided by the company to set the business performance measurements.
Recommendations
GWF is recommended to use more of the renewable energy systems like solar and
wind to conduct business operations. It puts less impact on the environment. The company is
also recommended to get the suppliers on the board and enable them to meet the anticipations
of the responsible behavior concerning issues like fair pricing. They should be displayed past
conduct to make clear what is expected by them (Biggs, et al. 2015).
GWF is recommended to make use of the marketing techniques which are fair enough
to reflect the integrity of the organization. The communication should be avoided which
assume to be manipulative (Zhang, et al. 2015).

Leadership for sustainable futures 8
References
Biggs, E. M., Bruce, E., Boruff, B., Duncan, J. M., Horsley, J., Pauli, N., ... & Haworth, B.
(2015). Sustainable development and the water–energy–food nexus: A perspective on
livelihoods. Environmental Science & Policy, 54, 389-397.
Broman, G. I., & Robèrt, K. H. (2017). A framework for strategic sustainable
development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 140, 17-31.
Broman, G., Robert, K. H., Collins, T. J., Basile, G., Baumgartner, R. J., Larsson, T., &
Huisingh, D. (2017). Science in support of systematic leadership towards
sustainability. Journal of cleaner production, 140, 1-9.
Efthimiou, O. (2017). Heroic ecologies: embodied heroic leadership and sustainable
futures. Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, 8(4), 489-511.
Gardner, S., & Paulin, S. (2018). The journey of self, nature, technology and sustainable
organisational design: insights for transformative leadership praxis. In Disciplining
the Undisciplined? (pp. 243-254). Springer, Cham.
Gray, D., & Jones, K. F. (2016). Using organisational development and learning methods to
develop resilience for sustainable futures with SMEs and micro businesses: The case
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Holmberg, J., & Larsson, J. (2018). A Sustainability Lighthouse—Supporting Transition
Leadership and Conversations on Desirable Futures. Sustainability, 10(11), 3842.
Janhonen-Abruquah, H., Topp, J., & Posti-Ahokas, H. (2018). Educating professionals for
sustainable futures. Sustainability, 10(3), 592.
Khoo, S. M. (2017). Sustainable knowledge transformation in and through higher education:
A case for transdisciplinary leadership. International Journal of Development
Education and Global Learning, 8(3), 5-24.
Kolk, A. (2016). The social responsibility of international business: From ethics and the
environment to CSR and sustainable development. Journal of World Business, 51(1),
23-34.

Leadership for sustainable futures 9
Lu, Y., Nakicenovic, N., Visbeck, M., & Stevance, A. S. (2015). Policy: Five priorities for
the UN sustainable development goals. Nature News, 520(7548), 432.
Nicolescu, B. (2018). The transdisciplinary evolution of the university condition for
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Appendices