Environment of DuPont Company - Essay Example

Introduction Organizations have to act responsibly in order to ensure that society in which they work also benefit from their acts and they can serveas the responsible corporate citizens of the world at large. Over the period of time, research studies have suggested that the organizations which have relatively better corporate social responsibility record tend to perform better in terms of those firms which do not have such record. As such it indicates that the organization’s performance in terms of fulfilling the needs of the society matters most because it’s from within this society that the customers for the organization emerge. What is also significant to note that the organizations are considered as the artificial citizens of the world therefore they have an obligation to engage themselves into practices which can enhance the world in which they operate? This may therefore not only include following the sustainable business process and products but also engages into practices which can ensure the cooperation between the different stakeholders in the society. DuPont is one of the most famous organizations of the world with presence in many countries. Over the period of time, it has been able to develop itself into a firm which is socially responsible with clear set of goals for fulfilling the needs of the society. This paper will therefore focus on the role of DuPont in the society and how it has been able to fulfill its role specially in terms of serving the society, the stakeholders as well as the implications of the actions of the firm on its stakeholders. DuPont Company DuPont is an American chemical company with a rich and old history as it was formulated in late 19th century. Primarily engaged in chemical business, firm produces different products and is now the second largest chemical producing companies in the world. It has been able to completely revolutionize the way polymer products are being manufactured all over the world and has been able to introduce new and innovative technologies which helped it to obtain the leading position in the market. What is also important to note that over the period of time, DuPont has been able to create a strong brand image for itself such that most of the generic products in chemical industry are known with the brand names of this firm rather than their original generic name? Such acceptability of the products therefore suggests that the firm has been able to create a unique name in the world for itself. It is also however, important to note that various research studies have implicated DuPont as the top air polluter in the world. Different products and ingredients produced by the firm are considered as the leading causes of air pollution in the world when they are used alongside other products. What is also significant to note that DuPont has also been able to get the recognition of the firm which has greatly been able to reduce the overall Carbon emission thus indicating the improved performance in terms of producing environment friendly products? Environment and DuPont DuPont has set up its sustainable business goals for the year 2015 in its 2015 sustainability statement which outlines its overall goals and objectives for contributing towards the achievement of safer and healthier world. DuPont’s vision is to become the most innovative science company in the world with focus on the development of products which can contribute towards the achievement of better and healthier world. (DuPont) DuPont is one of the only companies in the world which were instrumental in setting up environmental protection goals for itself in last 20 years. DuPont’s sustainability report for 2015 goals indicate that over the period of time, firm has been actually to challenge itself in order to ensure that it operates on the business model which can help the world to accomplish its most toughest challenges as well as to ensure that the products produced by the firm are creating bright future for the people and the world itself. This indicates the overall strategic direction of the firm in terms of its commitment towards the achievement of sustainable business products and how it can actually contribute towards the achievement of these goals. The firm therefore considers the sustainability and the practices for environmental friendly products as the market driven phenomenon thus indicating that the firm is committed towards integrating this aspect of doing business as the necessary process of achieving the market excellence. It is also important to note that DuPont was also listed on NASDAQ’s OMX CRD Global Sustainability index during the current month in so called the recognition of the firm’s efforts towards achieving the sustainability. This index is basically comprised of the top 100 companies which have been the leaders in disclosing the carbon emission and footprints and was subsequently able to reduce the emission of the carbon in order to further protect the earth and create and develop sustainable business products. (Wilmington) What is however, significant to note that different independent research studies have indicated that the products produced by the firm are not suitable for the environment due to their toxin affects. (The Associated Press) Most importantly, it produces a chemical which is used in the manufacturing of water bottles and as it was fined by Environment Protection Authority for its role in the manufacturing of the product which was not only polluting the water but is considered as dangerous for the new born babies. This chemical produced by the company is considered as indestructible therefore leaving a permanent damage to the human body and can create environmental damage issues also. (Enviornmental Working Group) It has also been revealed that the firm has deliberately hid some of the research studies indicating that Teflon- a material used in the production of Candy wrappers, Pizza boxes and water bottles etc is not harmful for the health in general. What is also important to note that some of the employees of the firm also reported that the firm deliberately hid the research studies suggesting the harmful use of the products in order to further its commercial interests. DuPont’s record in American has not been good as it has also been fined for not managing its manufacturing facilities in more environmental friendly manner. EPA also imposed fines on it for not implementing proper environmental safety procedures as poisonous gas was released which resulted into the death of one of the employees of the firm.1 It was accused of failing to clearly anticipate the hazards which can be materialized and as such it failed to execute appropriate hazard assessment techniques. Secondly, it was also accused of failing to design, develop and manage a facility which could provide protection from the different aspects of the manufacturing. Though this incident took place at just one of its facilities however, it indicates towards the fact that despite maintaining an excellent record for production of environmental friendly products, firm has been actually unable to manage and develop its manufacturing facilities in such a manner which can ensure complete safety and security during manufacturing process. During 1998, different cases also emerged which indicated that the firm has deliberately covered up the evidence for harmful use of one of its agriculture products. During 1998, some farmers complained that the use of one of the products of DuPont has actually destroyed their agriculture crops however; this evidence was subsequently suppressed by DuPont. Firm however, also produces the products which are considered as the environment friendly which are not only durable but also renewable indicating that the firm has been able to innovate its operating methodologies in order to produce material which is more environmental friendly. This has been however, a recent change wherein the firm has taken concrete efforts in order to ensure that it has put in place substantial resources in order to ensure that it develops the products which are environment friendly and can provide sustainable advantage to the firm because of their role in creating sustainable and renewable uses of the product. Conclusion The above discussion indicates that though DuPont has been able to perform better in recent years in terms of protecting the environment. However, over the period of time, it has also been engaged in controversies wherein it deliberately took active part in suppressing and hiding the actual harms and side effects of some of the products which it manufactures. It has been fined by Environmental Protection Agency on various counts in the past because of some of its practices considered as harmful for the environment as well as for human health. It can be however, easily concluded that the firm has been able to perform well in terms of setting clear aims and objectives for creating sustainable business products. It realizes that the development of sustainable and environment friendly products is a market driven phenomenon thus recognizing that the different stakeholders can significantly influence the way company can operate in future. What is also significant to understand that the firm has taken steps to ensure that it remains as one of the most acclaimed organizations for their role in protecting the environment? Bibliography 1. DuPont. 2015 Sustainability Goals. 2010. 23 November 2010 . 2. Enviornmental Working Group. Credibility Gap: Toxic Chemicals in Food Packaging and DuPonts Greenwashing. 2008. 23 November 2010 . 3. The Associated Press. DuPont data indicates it hid risks of chemical. 2005. 23 November 2010 . 4. Wilmington, Del. DuPont Named to NASDAQ OMX CRD Global Sustainability Index. 2010. 24 November 2010 . Read More