Host Europe: Advancing CSR and Sustainability

Host Europe: Advancing CSR and Sustainability

 Q1. What would be an even more complete Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) engagement of Host Europe look like? Which kind of measures could be introduced to further improve the ecological and social aspects of sustainability without jeopardizing economic success at Host Europe b‌‍‍‌‌‍‍‍‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍‍‌‌UT, maybe even enhancing?

Host Europe is the third largest company in providing web hosting services in the German-speaking markets. In 2009, the commission took the lead to develop further its sustainability and corporate social responsibility strategy. It is in the same year that it introduced sustainability as part of its corporate mission statement. In addition to that, it also hired full-time employees to run the corporate social responsibility, which was developed in the same year as an organizational unit. In the history of its existence, the commission has always been on the lead in pursuing environmental sustainability, committing more of its efforts to constructing a new energy-efficient data center. It has also invested much in mainstreaming its policies to accommodate the rising need to have a low-carbon-economy. However, there still exist many areas that require more action as they show consistency in unsustainable trends. Putting that in the account, the review makes reference to the EU policy measures in the areas that are covered by the European Union Safety Datasheets. It also discusses recommendations for having a complete Corporate Social Responsibility engagement of Host Europe. The recommendations include the green IT environmental standards and certification, raising awareness on sustainability issues, addressing gender ratio in the IT-related industry, and recruiting skilled professionals.

“Green IT” refers to environmentally sustainable practices in computing. It is a strategy dedicated to minimizing the harmful effects of its operations on the environment (Hahn, 2010). This can be achieved through proper disposing of computers and related products, sustainable manufacturing practices, and sustainable operational practices related to IT. A complete CSR engagement for Host Europe should, therefore, have full accountability for these operations. The case study revealed that a large amount of energy usage in IT goes to waste, with only a quarter of it being used for core functions. To avoid this, the company should introduce energy-efficient measures in their policies. In addition to that, it should have virtual servers and eliminate physical servers as the two provide similar services. By so doing, energy conservation issues will have been addressed.

In addition to that, it should have more sustainable E-waste dispose of measures. The company generates piles of e-waste materials that pose a threat to sustainability. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency publication (2009), 80% percent of E-waste materials can be recycled. This is one strategy expected in the complete CSR engagement of Host Europe. In addition to that, it should embrace the EU legislation guidelines promoting the recycling of WEEE, which was in force since 2003. Either it should invest in creating awareness of sustainable practices through its employees and agents across its market. This will show a high involvement as its impact will be intensified through the many organizations that Host Europe influences. These will be the best characteristics for a more CSR engaged Host Europe.

In line with that, there are a number of measures that the host company can introduce to improve both ecological and social aspects of sustainability without necessarily compromising its economic success. One of them is actively involving its employees in sustainability campaigns. In all organizations, employees should share a joint mission and vision with the organization. Stating its sustainability pursues in its vision and mission will, therefore, play a significant role. This is considering the fact that it has more than 180 employees, who when they own the mission, can be very instrumental in sensitizing even the community.

In addition to that, the company could also design customized adds to create awareness about environmental conservation to its customers. This will intensify the call of everyone to live up the standards of sustainability. Moreover, it could also recycle E-wastes where possible. This should be taken to the level of buying the wastes from members of the community, recycling them, and selling them back to society. As they do so, they should make known to the members that the practice is to enhance the sustainable disposal of e-waste in order to continue creating awareness. This will not only improve aspects of sustainability but also boost their revenue.

Q2. Examine the benefits (and drawbacks) of integrating a certified (environmental or social) management system. Which system would you choose? Give a proposed implementation plan.

One significant benefit of the certification of management systems is to enhance the company’s reputation. It shows the commitment of the firm to best practice hence giving it a competitive advantage. It also helps to save costs by reducing many supplier audits and associated costs.  Certification also enhances communication with the employees as a way of ensuring their involvement. In addition to that, it also provides streamlined operations hence reduced wastage of resources. Lastly, it ensures good management of business risk by allowing easy measurement of performance.

On the other hand, the process is cumbersome and may incur an additional cost of training some members of staff to be conversant with the system. This means that even the managers or owners should have a good understanding of the same, failure to which it will be a waste of time and resources. However, this does not a certified management system is comparatively better.

A good proposal for the execution of a management system is as follows. First, the organization should defined and well-mapped processes. The flow of the main activity of the business processes should be identified in order to determine the responsible person for that. The quality policy and objectives should also be defined. This helps to emphasize the journey towards completion of the organization’s mission of consumer satisfaction, profit-making, and employee contentment. Metrics to monitor data should then be developed, defects defined for every process, and then the creation of documents. Lastly,  the quality process should be identified, and employees are trained in line with the quality process requirements. After that, the management system will be ready for implementation.

Q3. Discuss the benefits of Host Europe CSR and sustainability measures and different stakeholders and how these benefits could be measured?

CSR and sustainability measures have helped the Host Europe Company in a significant way. First, the measures have helped it to improve the quality of its products hence producing efficient products. Many customers prefer the sustainable consumption of all products. The organization has even influenced several others to deliver goods that do not involve the high emission of greenhouse gases.  This is one achievement and a benefit for Host Europe as it has invested a lot to ensure that products are sustainable (Soccol et al. 2016). This way, the company has not only achieved sustainability but also attracted more customers.

In addition to this, the organization has also been recognized for its efforts in the quest for sustainability. In 2009, it won an award from the Green data Centre labeled as “Good Practice Energy Efficiency“ by the Dena (German Energy Agency). This, of course, made it even more popular and added to it more influence in sustainability campaigns.

References

Hahn, R. (2010). Starting Points for CSR at Host Europe: Introducing Sustainability in a Medium-Sized IT Company. ECCH Case Study, (710-025), 1.

Soccol, C. R., Brar, S. K., Faulds, C., & Ramos, L. P. (2016). Green Fuels Technology, Green Energy, and Technology.

US Environmental Protection Agency. (2009). Municipal solid waste generation, recycling, and disposal in the United States: Facts and figures for 2008.