Corporate Sustainability at Ikea and Tchibo. The Interconnection between the Sustainable Dimensions and the Importance of Sustainable Development

Bachelor Thesis from the year 2018 in the subject Business economics - Business Ethics, Corporate Ethics, grade: 1,7, Schmalkalden University of Applied Sciences, language: English, abstract: This paper will explain how complex sustainability is, define its three dimensions and describe the interconnection between the sustainable dimensions, outline the importance of sustainable development, explain corporate social responsibility and show how international companies successfully adjusting their business operations with sustainability.Incorporating sustainability in companies’ business strategies is more important than ever. To meet the needs of the ever-growing population, business need to evaluate global sustainability. Globalization, the resources bottleneck and climate change have led to the dramatic increase of the necessity of providing for future generations. To generate a future for subsequent generations, society must start acting in a more sustainable manner and find solutions against increased deforestation, pollution and greenhouse gas production. This “sustainable way” could involve a few different directions and approaches. Before the public became aware of the potential, a wide ecological movement had evoked environmental, economic and social problems concerns.It is now more crucial than ever for companies to be environmentally friendly and take more sustainable actions to provide for future lives. Sustainability has originally emerged from forestry and requires that the amount of wood taken from a forest must not exceed the amount it can regrow. The guiding principle of dealing responsibly with dwindling resources in the long-term while generating economic growth need to be in harmony. Companies need to address economic, social and environmental sustainability in their business strategy as the key factor of a business’ future and see sustainable activities as a source for competitive success rather than a cost or constrain. It is important for international enterprises and managers to evaluate global sustainability to ensure future success in increased revenues and higher brand awareness as well as achieving competitive advantage.