Otb Case Study on Sanford Limited

Sustainability is widely defined as: “Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (WCED, 1987, 40).

There are three main categories which are covered in a sustainability development report namely the Environmental, Social and Economic sustainability (Geoffrey Wells 2011, 4).

Environmental sustainability focuses on progresses made on an annual basis by Sanford. Sanford strives to be an environmental-friendly company. The targeted electricity-reduction, liquid fossil fuels, coal and Green House Emissions eco-efficiencies were reached in year 2011. Water, solid waste co-efficiencies target was not met. Responsible fishing is practiced, as seen from the releasing of unintended catch of marine life forms back to the waters (Sanford Limited, 2011).

Under the Social sustainability section, Sanford talked about several key issues. The ethnicity of their employees was diversified, with a decrease in the numbers of European workers and an increase in Asian workers. There was a decrease in the average age of their employees, as well as the percentage of senior employees above the age of 50 years old. An improvement was shown in the team health and safety aspect, with statistics showing a decrease in work days lost caused by work-related accidents. This is due to the safety trainings held for employees, as well as the providence of safe equipment and working procedures being implemented by Sanford (Sanford Limited, 2011).

Economic sustainability highlights that there was a decrease in the profits earned and a trivial reduction in Sanford’s total equity in year 2011. Continual profit earnings have maintained consistent dividends pay-outs for the last 5 years (Sanford Limited, 2011).

The performance equation suggests that good performance is contributed by three factors namely, attributes, work effort and organisational support provided (Wood, et al....