Please read the questions and answer this following questions: 1. What environme

Question

Please read the questions and answer this following questions:

1. What environmental issues does the New Belgium Brewing Company work to address? How has NBB taken a strategic approach to addressing these issues? Why do you think the company has taken such a strong stance toward sustainability?

2. Do you agree that New Belgium’s focus on social responsibility provides a key com- petitive advantage for the company? Why or why not?

3. Some segments of society contend that companies that sell alcoholic beverages and tobacco products cannot be socially responsible organizations because of the nature of their primary products. Do you believe that New Belgium’s actions and initiatives are indicative of a socially responsible corporation? Why or why not?

Explanation / Answer

This question focuses on New Belgium Brewing’s strategic efforts to provide quality products while creating minimal damage to the environment. New Belgium is concerned with sustainability, recycling, reducing energy output, and even reducing emissions through biking rather than driving. Students should be able to provide specifics to support their responses, such as the firm’s investment in wind energy to power its brewery, use of innovative heating and cooling and lighting systems like its steam condenser and sun tubes, and recycling and reusing supplies. Students can also discuss the importance at New Belgium of embracing a conservation lifestyle outside of work as well. The company gives employees a “cruiser bike” to ride to work after one year of employment.

The company has such a strong environmental focus largely because of its founders’ interest in sustainability and being environmentally responsible. Their values are deeply embedded in the company. It is also forward thinking of New Belgium to be environmentally responsible because it is less wasteful, could help the company to adjust to stricter environmental legislation in the future, and because having a green image has become a competitive advantage for many companies. Its socially and environmentally responsible image undoubtedly has gained New Belgium a competitive advantage in the growing craft beer industry. Going to such lengths to ensure minimal environmental damage wins favor with the public and has led to national recognition for the company

2.Do you agree that New Belgium’s focus on social responsibility provides a key com- petitive advantage for the company? Why or why not?

I do not believe that this is a case of strategic philanthropy. Jeff Lebesch seemed to have a love of the outdoors. The idea for the company began with a bicycling trip through Belgium, and he and his wife took a hike into Rocky Mountain National Park to write what the company's core purpose would be. I believe that Lebesch felt that it was his responsibility to build his business as environmentally friendly as he possibly could, regardless of whether it would be beneficial to the stakeholders or not.

New Belgium Brewing Company strives to improve communities and enhance people's lives through corporate giving, event sponsorship, and philanthropic involvement. Since its inception, NBB has donated more than 1.6 million dollars to organizations in the communities in which they do business. For every barrel of beer sold the prior year, NB donates $1 to philanthropic causes within their distribution territory. The donations are divided between states in proportion to their percentage of overall sales. This is their way of staying local and giving back to the communities who support and purchase NB products. In 2006, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Washington and Wyoming received funding.

Funding decisions are made by the NB Philanthropy committee, which is comprised of employees throughout the brewery including owners, employee owners, area leaders and production workers. New Belgium looks for non-profit organizations that demonstrate creativity, diversity and an innovative approach to their mission and objectives. The Philanthropy committee also looks for groups that involve the community to reach their goals.

NBB also maintains a community bulletin board in its facility where it posts an array of community involvement activities and proposals. This community board allows tourists and employees to see the different ways they can help out the community, and it gives nonprofit organizations a chance to make their needs known. Organizations can even apply for grants through the New Belgium Brewing Company Web site, which has a link designated for this purpose.

NBB also sponsors a number of events, with a special focus on those that involve "human-powered" sports that cause minimal damage to the natural environment. Through event sponsorships, such as the Tour de Fat, NBB supports various environmental, social, and cycling nonprofit organizations. New Belgium also sponsored the MS 150 "Best Dan Bike Tour," a two-day, fully catered bike tour, from which all proceeds went to benefit more than five thousand local people with multiple sclerosis. NBB also sponsored the Ride the Rockies bike tour, which donated the proceeds from beer sales to local non- profit groups. The money raised from this annual event funds local projects, such as improving parks and bike trails. In the course of one year, New Belgium can be found at anywhere from 150 to 200 festivals and events, across all fifteen western states.

3.     Some segments of society contend that companies that sell alcoholic beverages and tobacco products cannot be socially responsible organizations because of the nature of their primary products. Do you believe that New Belgium’s actions and initiatives are indicative of a socially responsible corporation? Why or why not?

From my view point its master product Tobacco and Brew both r harmful for society and environment. So I don’t

Believe that NBB’s actions and initiatives are indicative of an ethical and socially responsible corporation

This question challenges students to consider whether a company can ever be truly socially responsible when its primary product is alcohol—something linked to addiction and abuse. There is no “correct” response; the question is designed to encourage students to think about all of a company’s actions, not just the social responsibility initiatives it promotes. Many students will argue that NBB is a model corporate citizen because of its social initiatives and efforts to minimize its negative impact on the environment. These students will likely concur that NBB does not promote excessive beer consumption, but rather advertises it as part of a healthy lifestyle where alcohol is enjoyed in moderation. Other students may feel that, no matter how core NBB’s social responsibility initiatives are, it is still selling a product that is widely abused. However, these students will likely be in the minority. Few people will likely object to or find fault with the firm’s efforts to demonstrate ethical and socially responsible conduct.

There are over 4000 chemicals in tobacco out of witch a 100are identified poisons and 63 are known carcinogens. Nicotine is often pointed out as the most dangerous substance in tobacco but there are others which include:

Carbon monoxide (found in car exhaust fumes)

Formaldehyde (used to embalm bodies),

Ammonia Bromide (a toilet cleaner)

So in 1st sense they are doing harm for world environment. Their-other product is alcoholic brew. Alcohols have a dangerous effect for Human body. Blood cancer, liver cancer and many other deadly diseases are attack because of using alcohol. Disadvantages of alcohol are: Source of energy in the diet but with no other nutrients ("empty calories"). In high concentrations or with repeated use can be toxic and cause liver damage. It can cause poor judgment, concentration, balance and coordination. Driving with significant blood alcohol can lead to accidents, arrest and imprisonment. So I think their total business is unethical from our ethical point of view not from point of view of law. In Ethic we learn ³Ethics and Law are not same.´ But we can appreciate this company because of they take some step for save environment where other companies are silent. So my suggestion is to they can stop producing tobacco and made their brew without alcohol or using a minimum alcohol

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