Scenario Planning For Environmental Sustainability In Australian Retail Firms

Scenario Planning helps managers to ensure the saftey of the environment for society.

Effectiveness of Scenario Planning among Managers for Environmental Sustainability

Scenario planning refers to strategic decision making, which helps an organisation to develop a sustainable business venture. With the help of scenario analysis, managers assume what is going to be happened and based on that they make decisions for the benefit of the company. In production process, minimization of waste plays a major role in protecting the environment. In Australian Retail firms, scenario planning for environmental sustainability is highly required due to excessive release of carbon footprint. This literature review will elaborate on the effectiveness of scenario planning among managers for environment development as well as for the betterment of the society.

This research is based on qualitative data and descriptive analysis. Meissner & Wulf (2015) have focused on the scenario method of scenario planning with wide range of logistics. It has also introduced another enhanced approach such as the antifragile (AF) for mitigating the obstacles. According to the researcher, the methodologies does not deliver appropriate benefits of scenario planning, as they mainly concentrate on the development of macro environmental scenarios which already exist. The research work determines managers can undertake an organizational strategy for environment development through scenario planning. This can benefit the future decision-making process of the company.

According to Vollmar, Ostermann, & Redaelli. (2015), the scenario projects focused on health-related issues at an organization level, different healthcare professionals on the labour market and also dealt with the general health care and other technology developments. This research includes both quantitative and qualitative elements. The aim of this paper is to give an overview of the scenario method, health-related issue and also make a suggestion for better reporting in future scenario project.

Sidebottom et al. (2017) introduced some effective steps at reducing theft and also applied the EMMIE framework which highlighted the complexity involved in the retail environment. This paper includes quantitative data on the effectiveness of tags in retail environments. This research paper has focused on security tags to reduce the theft in a retail business. Researching on the current evidence this paper suggests more visible tags with greater reduction in theft in the conclusion.

Nyuur (2015) gives a conceptual review of the literature on scenario planning and SMEs are unable to adopt that and practice the technique. The research is able to manage some activities such as desk research, networking, brainstorming, and expert interviews. This research includes qualitative data and the purpose of this paper is to focus on the value of scenario planning to small and medium size enterprises and also research on some challenges.

Qualitative Data and Descriptive Analysis on Scenario Planning Research Articles

Phadnis, Caplice, C., & Sheffi. (2016) have depicted a nutshell of a scenario planning. An effective scenario planning is required to deal with legwork and research. This paper delivers evidence for objective with the use of strategic planning which influences on long-termed strategic decision-making. At the end this paper, the researcher has organised number of workshops for understand influence of strategic planning on investment decision.

Ionescu, Chivu, & Chivu (2014) focused on the economic transaction which is interacted with the environment. The main objective of this study is to analyse business practices related to environmental issues, both in environmental management strategies and accounting treatment to entities that perform activities of environmental degradation. The researcher also described the Sustainable development and gives some global issues as for example and gives concept on both macroeconomic and microeconomic to reduce the environmental pollution.

Martí-Borbolla & Ortiz-Arango (2016) establishes the importance of the Corporate Social Responsibility as a vital element to the survival and development of business. The author narrated and ranging from the stages some fundamental elements of CSR including the benefits of CSR practices. The types of the CSR to the social implications which is related with social innovation, social entrepreneurship and business mentoring are also described in this paper.

Hensen, Keeling, de Ruyter, Wetzels, & de Jong. (2016) have invested in or identified the factors which facilitate the successful implementation of environmentally responsible strategies across a network of customer-facing sales units. The researcher proposed some examples of store manager’s ability by fostering a supportive climate to store environmental stewardship. This study demonstrates that the manager can fulfill SENS-climate by articulating environmental responsibility in their operational decisions.

According to Cox et al. (2016), this study supports the business leader in the retail SME who takes challenges and actions. The researcher presents opportunities through online retailing and also uses big data for developing the future retail propositions. The paper also describes various activities taken by retail sector to protect environment. The result gives a positive impact on local economic and environmental development via Local Enterprise Partnerships.

According to Cáceres-Escobar, Davis, Atkinson, Possingham, & Kark (2018) this paper represents invasive species management application on the basis of decision making structure, resource allocation tool. This research suggests the best decision cost-effectiveness of budget.

Conceptual framework

The factors that are helping the managers to maintain safety of environment are as follows-

Importance of Environmental Safety in Modern-day Business

In the modern days, it has been seen that people are conscious related to their environment in order to provide a pollution free environment to their future generation. In this context, Perry et al. (2015) stated that business organisations try to focus on their production procedure and selling system. The organisational authorities of different industries like retail industry try to use innovative procedure of production for reducing carbon emission. It assists to manage wastage of the industries. However in the current economic scenario the companies have to engage in various corporate social responsibility activities like waste management so that they can help in the creation of a safe environment for the society in which the people live. In addition to this, CSR activity increases sale of ventures around 27% along with the environmental safety (researchgate.net, 2018).

In many countries the use plastic bags have been banned at it is not a biodegradable product. On the contrary, Yue et al. (2017) mentioned that if the components of plastic do not mix with soil, it can decrease the safety level of environment. Instead of using plastic bags the stores are using bags made of various other materials such as jute bags, cloth bags and bags made out of sugar cane fibre. As stated by Ionescu et al. (2014), the use of these biodegradable and reusable bags are helping in the growth of various small and medium scale industries which have been neglected for so many years. Previously paper was being manufactured by using tree pulp which was derived from various trees that were being uprooted by using deforestation method that was the main cause of global warming.

As mentioned by Yue et al. (2017), environmental theory assists to develop the safety of current atmospheres. In this context, different ventures under various industries like retail industry, manufacturing industry has tried to use machine, which can reduce the carbon emission. Samson, Donnet & Daft (2018) stated that due to excessive pollution, scenario planning assists to make an effective plan related to the production procedure of venture as they can reduce pollution of society. On the other hand, organisational theory helps to make an effective culture for completing the activities in an appropriate way. If employees follow the discipline and rules of venture, authority can ensure environmental safety in the contemporary era. For example, in context of retail industry, they try to provide eco-friendly products for getting fruitful outcome.

Environmental Theory and Organisational Theory in Promoting Environmental Sustainability

Scenario planning helps business to operate in a better manner with the proper plan and strategy. Ramirez & Selin, (2014) stated that in the business scenario planning is the most essential elements to identifying the critical uncertainties of the organization. One of the major examples can be seen in the case of James Richardson Corporation as this company involves in scenario planning for the welfare of society. This works as CSR of the company as it has focused on bio-degradable waste management strategy for environmental sustainability.

Scenario planning is the main tool to prevent the uncertain future risk. It is the important tool for organisation for the long-term business planning and strategy. Kolk (2016) stated that perfect Potion is one of the organisations which indulge it in delivering organic skincare products. It considers environment safety while manufacturing these products.

The success of the scenario planning entirely depends on the continuous process of revision, refinement and control by the specialised team. Ionesco, Chivu & Chivu (2014) asserted that some of the small business organisation are failed to meet the requirement. Scenario planning is unable to implement in the short term oriented business organisations. Oteros-Rozas et al (2015) stated that Myer being a retail firm failed to assume the future requirements of environmental sustainability which negatively affect the society as well business.

Through the help of scenario planning companies are able to analysis the market, identifying the key variables that affect both demand and supply. If managers are not preparing the organisation for the future, the company will have to face unpredictability and uncertainties. Scenario planning contributes to environmental sustainability by understanding future environmental requirements. Martí-Borbolla & Ortiz-Arango (2016) narrated that in the recent context, global warming is being one of the challenges for the society for which society is highly concern. de-Andrade, Albuquerque, Teófilo, & da Silva. (2016) In the business firm like Woolworths, it has proved that scenario planning has worked in benefit society as well as company’s corporate image. Kaplan, Uhing, Kingry & Dai Adam. (2015) stated that it has planned environment safety through waste management and eco-friendly packaging. During the planning process, it may not seem like the optimum utilization of the resource and time.

 In the literature review section, the duration of success and critical success factors have not discussed properly. However, most of the company do not adopt this particular strategy as this might lead to future complexity and budgetary complications.

CSR Activities in Promoting Environmental Sustainability

Conclusion

Scenario planning has been successfully applied by the many Fortune 500 listed companies; however, it is not used in the short-term basis. In addition, scenario planning is not universally successful due to having the number of potential pitfalls. It helps to deliver competitive advantage for the firm and maintain environmental sustainability. This literature review has delivered thorough evaluation of existing literature which has explained that if a company is planning to implement environmental safety then scenario planning can positively contribute to this.

Reference:

Samson, D., Donnet, T., & Daft, R. (2018). Management (6th Asia Pacific edition). South Melbourne, Australia: Cengage Learing Australia

Cáceres-Escobar, H., Davis, K. J., Atkinson, S. C., Possingham, H. P., & Kark, S. (2018). Integrating local social-ecological knowledge to prioritise invasive species management. PeerJ PrePrints, doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.7287/peerj.preprints.27113v1

Cox, A., Hay, G., Econometrics, C., Hogarth, T., Brown, G., Writing, G. B., & Limmer, H. (2016). Productivity in the retail sector: Challenges and opportunities. Recuperado de https://www. employment-studies. co. uk/system/files/resources/files/ukces0816d. pdf.

de Andrade, P. R. M., Albuquerque, A. B., Teófilo, W. D., & da Silva, F. A. (2016). Change management: Implementation and benefits of the change control in the information technology environment. arXiv preprint arXiv:1603.03110.https://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1603/1603.03110.pdf

Hensen, N., Keeling, D. I., de Ruyter, K., Wetzels, M., & de Jong, A. (2016). Making SENS: Exploring the antecedents and impact of store environmental stewardship climate. Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, 44(4), 497-515. doi:https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11747-015-0446-5

Ionescu, C., Chivu, R., & Chivu, M. (2014). Management strategies and environmental accounting in economic entities. A contribution to sustainable development. Journal of Economic Development, Environment and People, 3(1), 11-18. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1660472736?accountid=188056

Kaplan, A., Uhing, P., Kingry, N., & Dai Adam, R. (2015, May). Integrated path planning and power management for solar-powered unmanned ground vehicles. In Robotics and Automation (ICRA), 2015 IEEE International Conference on (pp. 982-987).

Kolk, A. (2016). The social responsibility of international business: From ethics and the environment to CSR and sustainable development. Journal of World Business, 51(1), 23-34.https://daneshyari.com/article/preview/1002092.pdf

Martí-Borbolla, L. F., & Ortiz-Arango, F. (2016). Business and corporate social responsibility. Journal of Advanced Research in Management, 7(2), 79-88. doi: https://dx.doi.org/10.14505/jarm.v7.2(14).01

Meissner, P., & Wulf, T. (2015). The development of strategy scenarios based on prospective hindsight. Journal of Strategy and Management, 8(2), 176-190. Retrieved from https://search.proquest.com/docview/1680409225?accountid=188056

Nyuur, R. B. (2015). Unlocking the potential barriers on SMEs' uptake of scenario planning. Journal of Strategy and Management, 8(2), 139-154.

Oteros-Rozas, E., Martín-López, B., Daw, T. M., Bohensky, E. L., Butler, J. R., Hill, R., ... & Thyresson, M. (2015). Participatory scenario planning in place-based social-ecological research: insights and experiences from 23 case studies. Ecology and Society, 20(4).https://repositorio.uam.es/bitstream/handle/10486/676494/Participatory_Oteros_Rozas_es_2015.pdf?sequence=1

Phadnis, S., Caplice, C., & Sheffi, Y. (2016). How scenario planning influences strategic decisions. MIT Sloan Management Review, 57(4), 24-27.

Ramírez, R., & Selin, C. (2014). Plausibility and probability in scenario planning. Foresight, 16(1), 54-74.https://eureka.sbs.ox.ac.uk/4754/1/ACCEPTED__Plausibility_and_Probability_in_Scenario_Planning_March_24_2013.pdf

Sidebottom, A., Thornton, A., Tompson, L., Belur, J., Tilley, N., & Bowers, K. (2017). A systematic review of tagging as a method to reduce theft in retail environments. Crime Science, 6(1), 1-17. Doi https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40163-017-0068-y

Vollmar, H. C., Ostermann, T., & Redaelli, M. (2015). Using the scenario method in the context of health and health care - a scoping review. BMC Medical Research Methodology, 15 

Yue, W., Cai, Y., Xu, L., Yang, Z., Xin’An Yin, & Su, M. (2017). Industrial resources management based on violation risk analysis of the total allowable target on wastewater discharge. Scientific Reports (Nature Publisher Group), 7, 1-11.