Article Critique Practice: Greener Business Directions ✓ Solved

Article Critique Practice Greener Businessdirections1 Read The Art

Read the article "Greener Business" again, and re-read your written summary. Review the article, answering any of the questions below to form an essay critique. Feel free to write about any other discussion questions that aren’t listed below, but that seem relevant to discuss in response to this article.

Introduction Paragraph: What is the main purpose of this article? State the author’s thesis or main message in your own words. Write a thesis statement that states what your evaluation of the text is—positive, negative, or mixed. In other words, take a position on whether the author’s article is mostly successful or unsuccessful at achieving its purpose, effective/ineffective, strong/weak, and/or on whether you agree or disagree with the author’s ideas.

Evaluation Body Paragraph(s): Answer questions regarding the author’s assumptions, approach, credibility, and perspective. Does the author make assumptions? Are they correct? What approach does the author use (stories, facts, examples, diagrams)? Does the information seem credible? Does the author present both sides or only one side?

Conclusion/Summary Paragraph: Restate your thesis in different words. Summarize the article’s strengths and weaknesses. Finish with a clincher statement about the article’s purpose and its success in achieving it.

Paper For Above Instructions

The article "Greener Business" discusses the common perception of businesses as detrimental to the environment, yet also highlights how companies can implement environmentally friendly strategies that also enhance profitability. The main purpose of the article is to challenge the misconception that profit and environmental responsibility are mutually exclusive and to illustrate successful examples of "green" business practices. The author emphasizes that with thoughtful strategies, businesses can contribute positively to sustainability while remaining profitable.

My evaluation of the article is that it is largely successful in achieving its purpose. It effectively combines examples, facts, and case studies to reinforce the idea that environmentally conscious business practices are attainable and beneficial. The article assumes that companies are generally driven solely by profit, which might overlook instances where environmental priorities have historically taken a backseat—though this assumption is partially correct in many industries, it oversimplifies the motivations of some businesses. The approach used by the author involves illustrating specific strategies such as product differentiation, waste reduction, and investment in renewable energy, supported by real-world examples like 3M, Asahi Breweries, Shell, and others. The credibility of the information is reinforced through these well-documented cases, demonstrating genuine initiatives and measurable benefits such as waste reduction and cost savings. The author predominantly presents one side—the advantages of adopting green practices—without delving into potential challenges or criticisms, which would have provided a more balanced perspective.

Overall, the article's strength lies in its optimistic presentation of green business strategies supported by compelling case studies. Its weakness is the limited discussion on the obstacles and costs associated with implementing these practices, which would be pertinent for a comprehensive analysis. In conclusion, the article effectively promotes environmentally friendly business practices, illustrating that profit and sustainability can coexist, but could be improved with more acknowledgment of the difficulties involved.

This article is a significant contribution toward understanding how businesses can be environmentally responsible while maintaining profitability. It encourages a shift in mindset for business leaders and policymakers toward sustainable development. In my opinion, the article succeeds in its purpose by inspiring action through real-world examples, though it could benefit from a more nuanced exploration of the challenges faced by companies in adopting greener practices.

References

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• Porter, M. E., & Kramer, M. R. (2006). Strategy & Society: The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility. Harvard Business Review.
• Schaltegger, S., & Burritt, R. (2018). Contemporary Environmental Accounting: Issues, Concepts and Practice. Routledge.
• Hart, S. L. (1995). A Natural-Resource-Based View of the Firm. Academy of Management Review, 20(4), 986-1014.
• Montiel, I. (2008). Corporate Social Responsibility and Corporate Sustainability: The Growing Importance of Stakeholder Management. Journal of Business Ethics, 78(2), 153-164.
• Elkington, J. (1997). Cannibals with Forks: The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business. New Society Publishers.
• Delmas, M. A., & Toffel, M. W. (2008). Organizing Corporate Environmentalism: The Strategy and Structure of Firm Action. Business & Society, 47(1), 1-20.
• McWilliams, A., & Siegel, D. (2001). Corporate Social Responsibility: A Theory of the Firm Perspective. Academy of Management Review, 26(1), 117-127.
• Hart, S. L., & Ahuja, G. (1996). Does It Pay to Be Green? An Empirical Examination of the Relationship Between Environmental Performance and Firm Profitability. Business Strategy and the Environment, 5(1), 30-37.
• Winston, A. S. (2003). Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value, and Build Competitive Advantage. Harvard Business Press.