Wednesday, May 16, 2012

CHAPTER 10

VIGNETTE
PROBLEMS WITH SUPPLIERS

1. How can an organization ensure that all the members of its supply chain will behave ethically?
Answer:

            Here are some research which I gethered on how can an organization ensure that all the members of its supply chain will behave ethically
             SOURCE: http://www.smarta.com/advice/suppliers-and-trade/business-suppliers/three-ideas-make-your-supply-chain-more-ethical

1. Create guidelines for your suppliers

While the jargon-tastic term 'ethical supply chain management policy' makes us shudder, the idea behind term is very sound: create a list of guidelines for those involved in your supply chain to ensure at every point, suppliers are observing best practice.
If parts of your supply chain are abroad, consult with local trade unions and NGOs to identify areas of concern. Take into account issues such as forced labour, whether the supplier allows trade union activity, workplace health and safety, workers' ages, wages, working hours, known cases of discrimination, and any history of inhuman treatment. Outline how you expect your suppliers to behave and what sort of conditions you expect to see in factories. See the Ethical Trading Initiative's (ETI) base code for inspiration.
For the best results, communicate your policy as much as possible: identify employees such as buyers or managers who will need training - but ensure the policy is available to all your staff so they know exactly how you manage your supply chain.
If you want to go the extra mile, take inspiration from Divine Chocolate and incentivise your suppliers into becoming more socially conscious. The business' suppliers all have a stake in the company - which means they have a vested interest in maintaining its ethical image.

2. Look out for suppliers' credentials

Your suppliers may say their practices are squeaky clean, but if they can't prove it, how can you trust them? Instead, find out if they have any certification: bodies such as the Fairtrade Foundation, the Soil Associationthe Forest Stewardship Councilthe Marine Stewardship Council and the Product Authentication Inspectorate (PAI) all have the power to determine whether a company's products can be deemed ethical or not.
Take a look at the Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI)Business Social Compliance Initiative (BSCI), Business in the Community (BITC) and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR) websites as well - all four feature lists of members with socially responsible credentials.

3. Waste

Making your supply chain ethical isn't all fair wages and eliminating child labour - how the chain deals with its waste is equally important. Ask your suppliers to cut down on unnecessary packaging - particularly if it's plastic - or look at more sustainable alternatives. The government's Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has made a voluntary agreement, called the Courtauld Commitment, with a range of British retailers, to cut down on waste. Its website lists targets and timescales supply chains should be aiming for.
Find out from your suppliers how they handle the rest of their waste, as well. Electrical items should be disposed of in accordance with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which says all electronic equipment should be disposed of at no cost by the manufacturer. Look into your industry's best practice, and make your suppliers are following it, ensuring they do everything they can to cut down on the amount of waste they produce. Remember: if your suppliers aren't following best practice, it will reflect badly on your own business.
2. What responsibility does an organization have to ensure that its supplier and business partners behave ethically?
Answer:

            I think responsibility of organization that have to ensure that its supplier and business partners behave ethically are the following: must have to ensure the safety and precautions of the product, they must have warranty, they must be able to respond quickly for the customers who have problems and many more.

CASE STUDY 3
MANUFACTURERS COMPETE ON GREEN COMPUTING

1. How have green computing efforts lowered the total cost of computer ownership?
Answer:

             Source: http://thefutureofthings.com/articles/1003/green-computing.html
         Green computing, the study and practice of efficient and eco-friendly computing resources, is now under the attention of not only environmental organizations, but also businesses from other industries. In recent years, companies in the computer industry have come to realize that going green is in their best interest, both in terms of public relations and reduced costs. This article will take a look at several green initiatives currently under way in the computer industry, as well as issues that have been raised regarding these initiatives. We will also have a talk with VIA to learn more about the future of green computing.
          
2. Which approach can yield greater benefits- building greener computers of implementing programs that change users' behavior so that they operate their computer in a more responsible manner? Explain your response.
Answer:

           
      Green computing is an eco friendly which might help us to not getting danger our nature. It may help us to protect away from any harmful effects such as using computers that has radiation that may get everyone of us in danger.



SOURCE: http://www.internetionalmedia.com/Article/The-Advantages-of-Green-Computing-For-Businesses-and-Individuals/6007


 Green computing is a rising trend that looks to establish itself as the preferred IT philosophy -- not because techies are tree-huggers, but because green solutions are affecting their bottom lines. Many businesses today are asking the questions: "What is green computing?" and "Why is green computing so important to society?''

What is Green Computing?

Today, the term green computing embodies the entire life cycle of technologies, including research, manufacturing, use, and disposal. Green IT takes a much more holistic approach than it once did, especially as companies are brainstorming solutions to cut costs and increase revenue.

Why is Green Computing Important?

Green computing benefits the environment. Reduced energy usage from green computing techniques translates into lower carbon dioxide emissions, stemming from a reduction in the fossil fuel used in power plants and transportation. Conserving resources means less energy is required to produce, use, and dispose of products. Put simply, saving energy and resources saves money.

The advantages to green computing are realized on both large and small scales. Green technologies are available for an entire organization or for a single employee's workstation. Unfortunately, many companies and business owners are stalled by the initially larger investment in green technology, and fail to realize the long-term benefits and cost savings. As such, let's examine adjustments that can be made regarding green computing and IT support, big or small.


System-Wide Green Computing

When investigating green alternatives for your entire organization, consider technologies like cloud computing. Basically, cloud computing eliminates the need for hardware like servers. Also known as virtualization, cloud computing replaces hardware with "virtual" servers or servers in "the cloud." Essentially, cloud computing allows companies to reduce their need for big, bulky, energy-consuming servers by relocating them on the Internet. Cloud computing may also be used in areas like networking, data storage, software applications, and operating systems, again, potentially reducing the need for hardware. As a result, businesses stand to save a lot of time, money, and resources on maintenance and support by switching to cloud computing set-ups.

Individual Green Computing

There are many other green computing techniques at the personal computer level. For instance, power management can be an easy and effective means of saving green while conserving energy. While many operating systems come with power-saving settings, there are also a variety of products that monitor and adjust energy levels to increase performance and reduce wasted energy. For instance, some surge protectors can sense when a master component (like a computer) is turned off, and respond by cutting off power to any peripheral machines, such as like printers and scanners.

System-Wide and Individual Green Computing

Finally, green computing initiatives can reap savings in both big and small ways. Technologies that save paper, like email, can have a huge impact on costs as well as the environment. As companies and employees develop methods and habits of conservation, simple practices like emailing memos or printing in smaller fonts can bring instant results. Additionally, policies like telecommuting or teleconferences pose additional benefits by reducing the amount of carbon dioxide produced by travel.

Green computing is quickly emerging as the most effective means of utilizing technology. No matter whether your organization's needs are big or small, green IT can reduce costs, increase productivity, and even do something good for the environment.


3. Do research at the EPEAT Web site and determine which computer manufacturer currently has
the best green computing ratings.
Answer:



SOURCE: http://www.epeat.net/
  EPEA® is a comprehensive environmental rating that helps identify greener computers and other electronic equipment.
The EPEAT system was conceived and developed through the collaboration of stakeholders from the business, advocacy, government and academic arenas.
EPEAT is used by hundreds of companies, universities and government agencies in dozens of countries.  Its rigorous requirements and searchable product database let buyers bypass marketing hype and confusing specifications.
For participating manufacturers, EPEAT is a chance to showcase and validate greener designs and cleaner production.
EPEAT is a  powerful tool for enhancing the sustainability performance of virtually any organization.


Source:  http://www.eweek.com/c/s/Green-IT/


Base on my research there are 5 top companies who has best computer which has green computing. Here are the list.

Hewlett Packard

In recent years, Hewlett Packard has introduced many Energy Star qualified computers onto the market, including several that have won high EPEAT ratings. For example, the HP EliteBook 2530p notebook computer is Energy Star 5.0 qualified and has earned EPEAT gold. Also, Hewlett Packard has qualified for the Environmental Protection Agency's SmartWay label, which is applied to products and services with reduced transportation emissions. HP is striving to use more recycled materials in its products and product packaging. HP has also instituted buy back and recycling programs for all brands of computers, monitors, printers, scanners and other computer technology. HP has its own huge recycling facility in Roseville, California which processes about 4 million pounds of electronics per month.
Download Open Source BPM Software

Dell

Dell has introduced an ultra-green desktop computer called the Studio Hybrid. Its greenest desktop computer to date, the Studio Hybrid is Energy Star 5.0 qualified, has an 87% efficient power supply and an EPEAT gold rating. The Dell Studio Hybrid can be customized with interchangeable sleeves; there's even a sleeve available that's made from renewable bamboo. Dell has also made other strides toward becoming a greener technology company. Each year since 2004, Dell has increased its investment in renewable energy from wind, solar and natural gas capture. Dell has also made significant efforts to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Dell offers free recycling of Dell computers and will recycle other computer brands for free with purchase of a new computer. Dell also accepts donations of working computers from companies all around the world.

Apple

Apple is has begun to make many of its green computers with recyclable materials such as aluminum, polycarbonate and glass. Apple has made efforts to remove toxic substances, such as brominated fire retardants (BFRs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), arsenic, lead and mercury from its products. Since 2008, the Apple MacBook Pro has been free from each of these dangerous environmental pollutants. By 2009, all Mac notebook and desktop computers had earned an EPEAT gold rating. The Apple MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and iMac and other Apple models also meet Energy Star 5.0 guidelines. Another green computer made by Apple is the Mac Mini, which is an extremely energy-efficient desktop computer. The Mac Mini uses less than 14 watts when idle, and is free from BFR, PVC and lead. Like Dell, Apple will recycle any computer for free with the purchase of a new computer. Apple has recycling programs in most of the countries where their products are sold.

Lenovo

Lenovo uses post-consumer recycled materials such as plastic water bottles in the manufacture of its green computers. Lenovo also uses recycled and recyclable materials for its product packaging. Lenovo was the first to earn an EPEAT gold rating for a computer monitor. Many Lenovo computer models, such as the IdeaPad and the ThinkCentre meet Energy Star 5.0 requirements. All Lenovo ThinkPad laptop computers contain 85% recyclable materials and have achieved an EPEAT rating of either silver or gold. Through its Eco Take Back program, Lenovo offers free recycling of all of its computers and other electronic products for small businesses and consumers in the United States. This green technology maker also has recycling programs in countries throughout the Americas, Asia and Europe.

No comments:

Post a Comment