Assignment Task 1: Case Scenario

In 2008, the emissions rules for diesel cars that operated in the United States were substantially tightened. No corresponding tightening happened in Europe until 2015. So Volkswagen decided that rather than change the Volkswagen engines to meet the tougher emission standards, they would instead change the Volkswagen software programming to enable the diesel engines to pass the tougher tests.

Volkswagen engineers thus designed software that allowed Volkswagen diesel engines to pass emissions tests. The engines did not lower the actual emissions, but they did pass the test!  The Volkswagen scandal clearly eroded consumer trust. Mathius Muller has taken over as new CEO, since the occurrence of emissions scandal at Volkswagen.

Submit a report (1000-1200 words) by referring to the Volkswagen case scenario, to answer the questions given below.

1. Provide an overview of the VW emission case in general. Discuss the key sustainability issues prevalent in the automobile industry. Demonstrate a critical awareness of the challenges faced in the implementation of sustainable initiatives.
2. Critically review some of the strategies that VW has implemented to gain back consumer trust, as well as be able to manage sustainability in its various business functions.
3. Critically evaluate the role of the CEO in dealing with such a crisis and provide suitable recommendations.

 Assignment Task 2: Case Study

The Garment Industry in Bangladesh: A Human Rights Challenge

Keeping the paper by Peter and Sarah Stanwick as a frame of reference, please submit a compelling essay (1700-2000 words) that;

1. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the UN Sustainable development goals of ‘Reduced Inequality’, ‘Responsible Consumption and Production’, and ‘No Poverty’ and critically analyze these forefront issues in relation to the apparel industry.
2. Demonstrate a critical understanding of the effects of sustainability on supply chains in the apparel industry.
3. Critically evaluate some of the global best practices in ethical sourcing implemented by organizations in the apparel industry. (You will have to read about some of the market leaders who have adopted sustainable practices/initiatives in the apparel industry to be able to address this part).
4. Critically analyze the role of HR in driving sustainability in these organizations.
5. Based on your critical analysis and evaluation done while answering the above questions, formulate sustainable strategies to find a solution to permanently improve the working conditions of the garment workers in Bangladesh, as well as to incorporate the development of a more comprehensive corporate social responsibility philosophy related to issues pertaining to global outsourcing.

Assignment Task 3: Project Report

Submit a report (2000-2300 words) with the aim to discuss the linkages between business operations and the environmental and societal challenges with regards to sustainability. For this task, you can choose an organization/industry you currently work in, or an organization/industry you are familiar with as a frame of reference, to answer all questions given below.

1. Demonstrate extensive, detailed, and critical knowledge and understanding of the effects of global warming, resource scarcity, population growth, and loss of bio-diversity on your chosen organization/industry.
2. Identify financing challenges and solutions for sustainable development and provide suitable recommendations based on independent research and discussions with peers and specialist practitioners from your industry.
3. Identify and discuss the implementation of innovative business strategies that will help in addressing the sustainability challenges in your chosen organization.
4. Critically review sustainability & its influence on production & design in the chosen industry.
5. Critically review the impact of regulations & international codes on sustainability in the chosen industry. How can you influence the management to adopt the regulations and codes in your organization? (Discuss your role as the change initiator and agent)
6. Demonstrate a general understanding of the importance of sustainability reporting. Critically discuss the sustainability report (last financial year) of your chosen organization or any other organization in your industry, clearly interpreting and evaluating the numerical and graphical data.