Management in Action case study “UPS Actively Pursues Sustainability”

Read the Chapter 3 Management in Action case study “UPS Actively Pursues Sustainability” on pp. 97-98（SEE ATTACHMENT）

Then analyze and answer each of the questions in the case study.  It is not necessary for you to type the question itself, but you should number your answers to correspond to the question you are answering.  Your assignment should be 3-4 pages long (excluding cover page, attachments, etc.), double-spaced, using 12-point font and 1-inch margins.

Keep in mind that, while there are no “absolutely correct” answers for these questions, this is not an opportunity for opinion alone.  Grading will reflect your reasoning and critical thinking skills, your ability to integrate what you have assimilated from material presented in the textbook and other learning materials, the clarity of your response and its appearance.

Please remember that, if your paper integrates information from published sources and/or you build on the work of others, you must be careful not to plagiarize. You can find information about plagiarism at the Plagiarism.org website; a link to this website has been provided under the “Resources” tab in the main menu of the course.  Please also see the rubric posted under the “Resources” tab in the main menu of the course for additional guidelines on grading.

To submit your assignment, click on the link above.  Scroll down to Section 2 (“Assignment Materials”) and then click “Browse My Computer” to find and attach your .doc or .docx file.  Write any comments to your instructor in the “Comments” box.  Click “Submit”.  After you submit your report, you can tell it has been received by clicking on “My Grades” in the main menu of the course.  You will see a “!” in the grade book.  After your instructor grades the assignment, you will see a score instead of the “!”

Please note:  Your assignment must be submitted as a .doc or .docx file.  If you fail to do this, your instructor may be unable to open or grade your assignment.

1. How does UPS’s approach toward sustainability impact the triple bottom line? Be specific.

 

In order to answer this question, you need to be sure you understand the definition and concept of sustainability. If you ever need help understanding a term, look in the glossary at the back of your text. A glossary is a list of terms used in a text. It will direct you to the page in the text where that info is found.

 

2. Which internal and external stakeholders are positively and negatively affected by UPS’s approach to sustainability?

 

Do you know the difference between a stakeholder and a stockholder? You’ll need to know that before you can answer this question. You’ll potentially have four parts to this question, since there will be internal stockholders positively affected and others negatively affected. The same goes for stakeholders, positive and negative. It might help to visualize it.

 

	stakeholders	stockholders
positively affected
negatively affected

 

 

 

3. Which of the six general environmental forces influenced Mr. Kuehn’s approach toward sustainability? Discuss.

 

You’ll need to be familiar with the general environmental forces before you continue. Textbooks are divided into chapters and sections, and you can usually scan the chapter for headings to find what you’re looking for. You will see these forces described on p. 81-82. Next, notice that the question says “discuss.” That requires a few sentences at least, telling which environmental forces you believe influenced Mr. Kuehn, and why you think so. If you only list the forces, you will not be completely answering the question. Your instructor will be looking for one or more of the forces by name, along with your comments.

4. To what extent is UPS’s approach toward sustainability consistent with the four approaches to deciding ethical dilemmas?

 

Ethical dilemmas? Four approaches? That ought to be a clue to finding them in your text. Remember, you can always look in the glossary for help. When you read them, stop and think about what UPS’s goals are. Are their actions in alignment with their goals? This will take some thinking and analyzing on your part.

 

5. Evaluate UPS’s approach toward sustainability against Carroll’s model of social responsibility shown in Fig. 3.2.

 

More thinking and analyzing on your part. Take a look at the drawing which shows levels of social responsibility. Where does UPS fit on that model? What are their priorities? Why do you think so?

 

6. How does UPS’s approach toward sustainability “pay off”? Discuss.

There’s the word “discuss” again. Now that you’ve read about, analyzed and discussed UPS’s approach, what do you think? Is it practical for a company like UPS to be socially responsible and still be profitable? How? Why? Give you reply in a few sentences at least.