Business operational sustainability is a method of evaluating whether a business can maintain existing practices without placing future resources at risk. Sustainability can refer to any one of a variety of areas, though it is often linked to ecological resources. Operational sustainability is also focused on social or economic resources.
Operational sustainability from the ecological standpoint refers to a company's ability to use natural resources at its current pace without depleting the resources it relies upon. This can be a company perspective or an industry-wide perspective. Global ecoefficiency exists when delivering goods and services minimizes the effects on the environment. Ecological sustainability looks at a company's use of natural resources, recycling and waste reduction through the production and sales process.
Social sustainability refers to the ability of all persons in a community to access equal or similar resources. Often these are parts of city planning programs. Large companies seeking to develop large production plants or development centers might look to become involved in social sustainability, demonstrating an understanding of the basic needs of all residents.
Long-term strategies of business development and growth must consider economic sustainability. Should one business have a dramatic effect on the overall economic condition of one region, the effect not only hits the people in that region but the business's ability to continue and prosper. Think about a city where a car factory is the center or the economy. If the factory closes, the city and its residents will find itself in economic strife.
Businesses must focus on more than just products, sales and profits to succeed in the 21st Century. For some businesses, developing operational sustainability models can increase costs. However, the partnership of industry and community has many benefits for business in terms of better employees and a positive public image that attracts more customers seeking to support companies that support a high quality of life for this and future generations.
- The Mindful Network; The Sustainabile Small Business; Sally Lever; November 2008
- Sustainable Operating Strategies: Sustainable Operation
- The Sustainable Scale Project: Sustainable Business Practices
- Sustainable Operating Strategies: Identifying, Classifying and Evaluating Inputs and Outputs
- City of Boulder: Social Sustainability
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