The article in the url below contains some good employment news, especially in terms of CSR jobs:
“In the past two years, the number of online job postings containing the keyword "sustainability" has more than quadrupled to 8,245 in May, according to Indeed.com, which aggregates online job postings. The number containing "wind" and "solar" more than doubled in the same time period.”
This information is portrayed graphically in the article and demonstrates strong growth:
“In the past two years, the number of online job postings containing the keyword "sustainability" has more than quadrupled to 8,245 in May, according to Indeed.com, which aggregates online job postings. The number containing "wind" and "solar" more than doubled in the same time period.”
This information is portrayed graphically in the article and demonstrates strong growth:
The important question, of course, is: Why is this happening?
One explanation is that it is happening because firms are convinced they are able to better manage risk and achieve lower costs if they implement CSR/sustainability more substantively.
An alternative explanation is that, as general awareness of CSR/sustainability issues spread, firms feel the need to be seen to be acting in this respect. During an economic recession, the most cost efficient way of doing this (without substantially altering operations) is to appoint a figurehead to create the impression of action among the firm’s external stakeholders.
Both motivations produce the same result (more sustainability officers being hired), but with very different consequences for firm operations. The article presents multiple examples that suggests the changes are meaningful in some firms that are beginning to establish strong CSR track-records:
“In May, Coca-Cola Co. appointed a new chief sustainability officer and created an office of sustainability, tasked with overseeing the company's efforts around areas such as recycling, water management and climate protection. In the past two years, Coca-Cola accelerated its hiring related to green jobs across functions including sustainable sourcing of ingredients and water efficiency.”
As the article notes, however, another explanation is that $100 billion of the federal government’s $800 billion stimulus package was “devoted to green-related projects.”
“In May, Coca-Cola Co. appointed a new chief sustainability officer and created an office of sustainability, tasked with overseeing the company's efforts around areas such as recycling, water management and climate protection. In the past two years, Coca-Cola accelerated its hiring related to green jobs across functions including sustainable sourcing of ingredients and water efficiency.”
As the article notes, however, another explanation is that $100 billion of the federal government’s $800 billion stimulus package was “devoted to green-related projects.”
Have a good weekend.
David
Instructor Teaching Site: http://www.sagepub.com/strategiccsr/
The library of CSR Newsletters are archived at: http://strategiccsr-sage.blogspot.com/
Sustainability Jobs Get Green Light at Large Firms
By Joe Light
July 12, 2011
The Wall Street Journal
B5
