View source for Ecological factors affecting business

{{infobox4
|list1=
<ul>
<li>[[Technological factors affecting business]]</li>
<li>[[Environmental factors affecting business]]</li>
<li>[[Sustainable consumption]]</li>
<li>[[Opportunities and threats]]</li>
<li>[[Examples of threats]]</li>
<li>[[Examples of opportunities]]</li>
<li>[[Ethical factors affecting business]]</li>
<li>[[Social and cultural factors affecting business]]</li>
<li>[[STEEP analysis]]</li>
</ul>
}}



Ecological factors influencing business are connected to actions and processes necessary to protect natural [[environment]] and in the same time maintain or increase [[efficiency]] of the corporation. [[Ecology]] often take form of so-called '''corporate environmentalism''', i.e. all actions promoting [[Sustainable consumption|sustainability]], gaining [[consumer]] appreciation of eco-friendly [[product]]s and [[service]]s, creating [[image]] of [[Corporate Social Responsibility|responsible corporation]]. There are several ecological factors influencing [[management]] decision, business and environment goals. Proper [[identification]] of [[natural environment]] and its influences during [[strategic analysis]] ([[STEEP analysis]], [[SWOT analysis]], [[TOWS analysis]]) could lead to better strategic alignment of [[company]] to ecosystem and state regulations. 

==Ecological laws and regulations==
* [[government]] policy and policymaker engagement in environmental protection,
* fees and fines for using natural environment,
* regulations of waste disposal, recycling and storing,
* regulations of carbon CO2 and toxic fumes emission,
* relative “value of nature” in political campaigns,
* increasingly stringent environmental regulations on regional, state and international levels,
* [[cost]] of non-compliance with ecological regulations,
* incentives for businesses and customers for using clean products and services,
* activities of government agencies tracking business activities, giving permits setting minimal standards for any air emissions, procedures for handling waste and hazardous materials, etc.
* requirements for implementing environmental standards e.g. ISO 14000,

==Social pressure towards clean business==
[[File:Ecological factors affecting business.png|thumb|600px]]
* environmental groups and their activities,
* attitudes towards eco-friendly products and services ([[consumer preferences]] and [[demand]] for such products),
* attitudes toward [[tourism]] in intact wetlands, forests, lakes and seas,
* increased scrutiny of ecological impacts by [[stakeholders]] and customers
* human well being in relation to ecosystem,
* values and morality, influence of religious beliefs on managers and consumers,
* costs of protective and proactive environmental measures
* transparency of corporate activity due to global IT network,
* influence of non-government organizations (mobilization of people through social networks),
* increase of [[risk]] of extremism and terrorist attack using environmental factors (contamination, nuclear waste, etc.),
* role of biases, passion and emotions in environmental decision-making

==Technological advancements==
* carbon footprint of used [[technology]],
* energy requirements for technological processes,
* availability of technologies for emission reduction (chemical-filled smoke, ash and particles),
* possibility of recycling of waste and components,
* technology used for mining and acquiring of other natural resources,
* [[competitive advantage]] of new clean technologies (opportunity do differentiate from competitors),
* capital requirements for eco-friendly technologies,
* scientific research in area of ecosystems and clean technologies,
* equipment for handling and moving the waste products and hazardous materials,
* environmental risk assessment and prevention in [[production]] processes,

==Natural environment influences==
* water and air pollution (influencing production processes in high-tech companies and food production),
* [[quality]] of water used for consumption or production
* health problems ([[employee attrition]]) in polluted places, healthy environments improve mental and physical health and reduce absenteeism,
* quantity of renewable and non-[[renewable resources]] available,
* biodiveristy of ecosystems and its protection,
* minerals, oil, gas and other natural resources deposits,
* degradation, deforestation and depletion of fisheries and other natural resources,
* flooding, storms, and other natural disasters caused by human influences on ecosystems (global warming, etc.),
* climate change, drought and food scarcity could lead to social unrest and international conflicts,
* ecosystem services used in business processes,

'''Check also other:'''
* [[Social and cultural factors affecting business]]
* [[Technological factors affecting business]]
* [[Economic factors affecting business]]
* [[Political factors affecting business]]
* [[Legal factors affecting business]]
* [[Ethical factors affecting business]]

==References==
* Aragón-Correa, J. A. (1998). ''[http://www.jstor.org/stable/256942 Strategic proactivity and firm approach to the natural environment]''. Academy of management Journal, 41(5), 556-567.
* Christmann, P. (2004). ''[http://www.jstor.org/stable/20159616 Multinational companies and the natural environment: Determinants of global environmental policy]''. Academy of Management Journal, 47(5), 747-760.
* Etzion, D. (2007). ''[http://personnel.mcgill.ca/files/dror.etzion/JoM2007.pdf Research on organizations and the natural environment, 1992-present: A review]''. Journal of Management, 33(4), 637-664.
* Pearce, J. A., Robinson, R. B., & Subramanian, R. (2000). ''[[Strategic management]]: Formulation, implementation, and control''. Columbus, OH: Irwin/McGraw-Hill.

{{aa|Krzysztof Wozniak}}
[[Category:Strategic management methods]]