Introduction
Nike has been in the forefront in reporting on the Three Pillars (People, Plant and Profit). The corporation has a special consideration, transparency and accountability on environment impacts, social impacts and economic impacts of its operations in different regions. These reports are geared towards establishing how the operations have affected directly or indirectly the society in terms of social responsibility, ecological changes, as well as the corporation’s finances. To realize this objective, the company uses the performance indicators to measure the company’s performance in economic, social and environmental sectors.
Currently, most of the Nike’s CSR activities are implemented through Nike Foundation. The foundation exploits innovation and inspiration as ways of fighting poverty and diseases especially in the developing world. In addition, the foundation highly invests in the human potential and specifically the girls and adolescents. One of the main causes that the foundation has addressed is through ‘the girl effect’, whereby the foundation supports girls between the age of 10 and 18 years who are giving birth Nike Inc.).Nike is also a major partner in the RED campaign that aims at preventing HIV from mother to child by the year 2015. The campaign’s vision is to realize an AIDS free generation by 2015 (Nike Inc.).
Environmental Consideration
Nike has put various sustainability strategies to mitigate its carbon footprint globally. The corporation reduced its carbon footprint from 7.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide in 1998 to 1.6 million tonnes in 2008 and further 1.53 million tonnes in 2008 (Nike Inc). This was realized through its strong carbon footprint indicators, carbon credit monitoring and improvement tools, incorporation of technology in the production and supply processed as well as the introduction of capacity building its staff on carbon footprints. The corporation has also introduced automated shutdown software that shuts the system down when it overheats and increases emissions in the atmosphere (Nike Inc). The corporation has also cut down on travelling expenses. Globally, travel and logistics are ranked among the leading causes of climate change and high carbon footprint. The corporation has introduced and enhanced video and teleconferencing services that reduced the necessity of numerous travels. The corporation has further developed energy and water efficient models for their factories to enhance sustainability. The water effective programmes aims at recycling water to a usable form and channeling it back to the community as a CSR and eco-friendly initiative. The corporation aims at realizing climate neutrality.
Appraisals for Nike
Nike has received appraisals from different industries. Such includes the New York Stock Exchange, which based its appraisal on several facts. Nike has recorded increasing revenue growth, constant growth in earnings per share as well as increasing profit margins and net income (TheStreetWire). This Stock Exchange thus lists Nike’s shares and company as one of the constantly growing industry.
The New York Times, a leading print and online newspaper company also endorsed Nike as a reliable company. New York time based its endorsement on the Nike’s culture of improving its products quality as well as its worldwide reputation. The report on NY times also cited constant growth of share value and profitability of Nike Inc. as the basis of its endorsement (The New York Times).
Proposed way forward
It is indubitable that Nike can be a strategic partner to Anima Mundi Development Partners (AMDP). Nike has realized numerous milestonnes that in social, economic and environmental sectors, which are in line with AMDP’s objectives. Notably, the social enterprise component of Nike Company is ranked among the best models and practices across the world. In line with the AMDP’s model on social enterprises, Nike is a very ideal partner which can not only ensure improved human and environmental development but also increased profits through investing in communities and courses. Nike also has a global reputation for high quality products such as shoes and equipment. AMDP can take this advantage to go global and market itself worldwide. As such, I highly recommend Nike as a strategic partner to AMDP.
Work Cited
Maestas, Aislinn. As Consumer Demand for Sustainable Products Increases, More U.S. Companies Open Their Supply Chains for Review. Number of U.S companies disclosing their forest footprint nearly doubled in 2011. 2 July 2012. 22 Oct 2013. http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/News-by-Topic/Wildlife/2012/02-07-12-More-US-Companies-Open-Their-Supply-Chains-for-Review.aspx
Nike Inc. Impact Areas: Environment and Climate Change. 2013. 22 Oct 2013.
http://www.nikeresponsibility.com/report/content/chapter/energy-and-climate
Nike Inc. The Nike Foundation. 2013. 22nd Oct 2013. http://nikeinc.com/pages/the-nike-foundation
TheStreetWire. Nike Inc. Stock Buy Recommendation Reiterated (NKE). 18 April 2013. 22 Oct 2013. http://www.thestreet.com/story/11899219/1/nike-inc-stock-buy-recommendation-reiterated-nke.html
TheNewYorkTimes. Business Daily: Nike Inc. 22 Oct 2013. 22 Oct 2013. http://topics.nytimes.com/top/news/business/companies/nike_inc/
