Marie-Josée Roy

Sustainability in Action: Identifying and Measuring the Key Performance Drivers

Abstract An increasing number of senior managers recognize the importance of formulating a strategy on corporate social responsibility. However they often find it difficult to translate the strategy into action. This article presents a framework that describes the drivers of corporate social performance, the actions that managers can take to affect that performance, and the consequences of those actions on both corporate social and financial performance. By carefully identifying and articulating the drivers of social performance and measuring and managing the broad effects of both good and bad performance on the corporations various stakeholders, managers can make a significant contribution both to their company and to society. This more careful understanding of both the drivers of social performance and the impacts of that performance on the various corporate stakeholders permits better integration of that information into the day-to-day operational decisions and the institutionalization of social concerns throughout the organization. The framework includes the details of the systems, structures, and measures that are necessary to change organizational culture and processes to improve both social and financial performance.

ISO 9000: integration rationales and organizational impacts

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to present the results of an empirical study of the impact of motivational factors underlying ISO 9000 certification on several aspects of organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – An extension of a typology based on motivational factors is proposed and four integration rationales (quality enthusiasts, ISO integrators, ritual integrators, and dissidents) are exposed. The paper then evaluates how each of these four rationales related to potential organizational problems and benefits. Various statistical analyses were conducted on data obtained from a sample of 872 certified Canadian firms. A factor analysis was completed to develop an instrument allowing to develop a typology distinguishing between the four integration rationales.Findings – The results demonstrate that the nature and intensity of motivations behind a decision to adopt the ISO 9000 standard play a key role in the success of the implementation process and the emergence of organizational p...

Managing corporate environmental performance:: A multinational perspective

In the environmental arena, multinational companies are faced with important strategic decisions that will set a direction for their corporate environmental performance. As part of their environmental strategy, they must decide whether they will adopt a global company standard or otherwise adapt their standard to meet local requirements. These are important issues that will affect the companys long term financial health. Managers deciding upon a strategy need an appropriate framework to evaluate and weight the long term impacts of their decisions. The article highlights some of the strategic issues surrounding environmental management for multinational companies and proposes key elements for implementing an environmental strategy worldwide. The ISO 14001 standard is also presented as a framework for improved corporate environmental management in a multinational perspective.

Improving Sustainability Performance: Specifying, Implementing and Measuring Key Principles

Nine principles of sustainability performance can be identified. They need to be clarified, explained, monitored and evaluated throughout the organization in order to reap the benefits.

Environmental Performance as a Basis for Competitive Strategy: Opportunities and Threats

Abstract Increasingly, companies are considering environmental differentiation as a basis for their competitive strategy. As they formulate and implement their strategy, these companies must decide upon an appropriate device to signal a superior environmental performance to consumers and other stakeholders. This article examines three of these devices: Corporate environmental reports (CER), eco-labeling programs, and the ISO 14001 environmental management systems (EMS) standard. Specific challenges and limits associated with their use are discussed and insight into ways to overcome potential barriers are offered. One of these challenges relates to skepticisms, whereas another resides with the risk of imitation from competitors. Hence, companies must both build trusting relationships, and continuously maintain and develop resources and competencies that will enable them to sustain their competitive advantage over competitors.

In vitro studies on the inhibition of colon cancer by butyrate and carnitine.

OBJECTIVE Epidemiologic studies support an association between diet and the incidence of colorectal cancer. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid present in dietary fiber and dairy products, is a potential anticarcinogenic compound. We previously showed that carnitine can enhance the bioavailability of butyrate in vivo. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of butyrate alone and in combination with carnitine on colon cancer cells in vitro, examining proliferation and apoptosis and the molecular mechanisms by which these nutrients may inhibit colon cancer. METHODS Caco-2 cells, a well-established cell model, were incubated with butyrate (2.5-20mM) with or without carnitine (10mM) for various incubation periods. Proliferation was measured by incorporation of (3)H-thymidine, and apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry, and then confirmed by analyzing the presence of single-strand DNA breaks typical of apoptotic cells. Prostaglandin E(2) production was assayed and Bcl-2 and cyclo-oxygenase-2 expressions were examined by western blotting. RESULTS Butyrate and carnitine inhibited Caco-2 cell proliferation (P<0.05) and induced apoptosis (P<0.05). Prostaglandin E(2) production was decreased in treated Caco-2 cells. At the molecular level, the expression of proapoptotic Bax and Bak proteins were increased in cells incubated with butyrate and carnitine, whereas expression of antiapoptotic Bcl-x(L) was decreased. Cyclo-oxygenase-2 expression was decreased in cells incubated with butyrate and carnitine. CONCLUSIONS Butyrate and carnitine inhibit human colon carcinoma cell proliferation and induce apoptosis in human colon carcinoma cells. This is accompanied by an appreciable alteration of the Bax-to-Bcl-x(L) and Bak-to-Bcl-x(L) ratios in favor of apoptosis. This study provides a scientific rationale to study the effects of carnitine and butyrate in colon cancer in vivo.

Evaluating and monitoring CEO performance: evidence from US compensation committee reports

Purpose – Concerns for improving governance have focused attention on the role of boards of directors in evaluating the performance of the CEOs. There have been numerous discussions about how performance and strategic management systems aid in the evaluation and implementation of strategy and improve corporate performance. However, the value of those systems to boards of directors has not been extensively discussed. The purpose of this article is to describe the use of non‐financial metrics for CEO performance evaluations and offer specific guidance as to how boards of directors can design a performance measurement system that provides a sound basis for evaluating CEO performance.Design/methodology/approach – The sample for this study was drawn from Fortune magazines Americas Most Admired Companies industry list. Compensation committee reports found in 59 proxy statements were examined.Findings – Although there are a growing number of companies using non‐financial metrics, results confirm that CEOs are ...

Improving the Performance of Corporate Boards: Identifying and Measuring the Key Drivers of Success

Regulators have reacted by establishing new governance requirements that have significant implications for boards of directors, senior managers, and financial and accounting professionals. Stock exchanges and corporations acts throughout the wodd began mandating improved governance and transparency among their member and listed companies. Among the most prominent, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of2002 in the United States is already causing profound changes in corporate governance practices.

Pursuing quality and environmental performance: Initiatives and supporting processes

Purpose – The aim of this study is to focus on manufacturing small to medium‐sized enterprises (SMEs) that are simultaneously pursuing quality and environmental objectives. Specifically, the paper examines: the specific motivations and resources of SMEs that have chosen to pursue both priorities, the types of initiatives these SMEs have implemented, and whether pursuing both priorities is correlated with various facets of organizational performance.Design/methodology/approach – This study gathered data from a sample of 254 ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 certified Canadian SMEs. Data collection was based on a survey questionnaire sent to a random sample of 1,514 companies.Findings – The results highlighted significant differences between the SMEs holding both the ISO 9000 and 14000 certifications and those holding only the 9000 ISO certification. Each group was shown to have distinct motivations and resources and to have implemented different types of initiatives to address environmental concerns. Each group was p...

Technological penetration and organizational learning in SMEs: The cumulative effect

Abstract The relative importance of the benefits derived from the adoption of computer-based administrative and production applications depends to a large extent on the level of technological penetration attained by a particular firm. This evolutionary perspective is investigated in an empirical study carried out in manufacturing firms operating in one specific sector of industrial activity. Results suggest that benefits increase in both scope and intensity with technological penetration. The buildup of benefits goes hand-in-hand with the organizational learning that takes place as a result of a firms experience with technology.