Question

*****This is for BA 381 NEED THIS TONIGHT!!!*****

Case Problem 4.2 Greening Product Design

Hal Parker was not convinced that customers cared about green design. “Sure, if it reduces their power consumption, they care, but using less resources to produce the product or using recycled raw materials to begin with? I think our efforts are wasted there.”

“But doesn't that save us money in the long run?” commented Sasha Minolta, the finance director.

“If we're in business that long to reap the benefits,” Hal retorted. “A recession is not the time to go green.”

“Why are you fighting this?” Alex Verera, the CEO, questioned. “Just redesign us a sustainable product and be done with it!”

“That's my point,” Hal replied. “Just change the product platform, the basic materials used, the tooling, the operating requirements, the power source, the supplier specs, the quality standards, the production runs, the warranties and take-back conditions, and toss in untested new technology with a product that won't have the feel and performance of the previous version … all to say we are green, too. Let's make sure this is really what we want to do. I need some guidance here.”

QUESTIONS

1. Do you think Hal's concerns have merit?

2. How would you present the case that a green design will help the company in the future?

3. Should a company engage in green design if it is not required by law? Under what circumstances? Is a recession an appropriate time to go green?

4. As a consumer, do you select products for their sustainability? What types of products are you more likely to buy green?

Answer 1

1: No. Green intiiatives is a part of sustainability practices. In business we cannot put all investment in the bucket of immediate returns. Certain investment like green approaches requires years to sustain and to to give qualitywise results from it. The point from Hal does make an ethical sense as he is looking into business which can convert directly to results.

2:Geen design will help company :

• To acheive sustianability
• To enhance the brand value
• Top attract more customers through qualitative approach
• helps in getting govt subsidary from carob reduction
• Return on investment after long years helps in reducing costper unit ( total landing cost)

3: Yes the company should consider that as their ethical practice and under sustainability development. Even if doesnt require under law company can take such initiatives as their good practice which will be good for future generation as well. Green initiatives helps in developing proper plan and re design the process which reduce the usage of resources, recyle the materials as possible and optimise cost for production and other processing.

4: Yes: Sustainability product actually serve good for ecosystem as they put investment for producing those products with extra effort which will be good in future. Would like to buy products from green initiatives in the category of utensils, electronic products which usually contribute a lot in depletion of ozone layer kind of hazardous chemical diffusion. Thus sustanability product reduce the gloabal warming effect and also protect the natural resources to a great extent. As a customer we should promote such product and help organisation to achieve their target.,