In this assessment tasks, you will delve into the intricate relationship between innovation, sustainability, and environmental practices. These tasks are designed to test the knowledge and understanding of research methods, and how they apply to real-world environmental and organizational challenges.
Assessment Tasks Instructions
Task 1: Environmental Sustainability and Carbon Taxation (1500 words)
Objective: To evaluate and analyze the impact of carbon taxation on environmental sustainability in selected countries and companies.
Instructions:
Mini-Report on Environmental Sustainability: Country and Company Selection: Choose one country from the provided list and a company within that country.
Investigative Analysis:
Carbon Tax Component: Analyze the carbon tax policies in 2-3 countries from the list. Compare and contrast these with the chosen country, focusing on how they manage greenhouse gas emissions.
Lifecycle Assessment: Conduct a lifecycle assessment for a non-biodegradable product from the chosen company, using the Ecological Loop model.
Systems Thinking in Sustainability Research:
Discussion on Systems Thinking: Explain how systems thinking contributes to sustainability research, particularly in addressing greenhouse emissions.
Mitigation Approaches: Critically discuss various approaches to mitigate greenhouse emissions using systems thinking.
Task 2: Innovation Processes and Design Thinking (1000 words) Objective: To understand the innovation process and the role of design thinking in promoting sustainable innovation.
Instructions:
Innovation Process and Sustainable Innovation: Innovation Steps: Discuss the steps involved in the process of innovation.
Factors Driving Innovation: Identify and evaluate both general and task-related factors that drive sustainable innovation in organizations.
Challenges and Recommendations: Discuss the challenges faced by organizations in sustainable innovation and provide recommendations for overcoming these, with a focus on green management and environmental capital.
Design Thinking in Innovation and Sustainability: Relevance of Design Thinking: Critically evaluate the importance of design thinking in the models of innovation and sustainability.
Process and Impact: Explain the process of design thinking in organizations and assess its benefits and risks.
Encouraging Design Thinking: Provide insights on how organizations can encourage design thinking for organizational effectiveness.
Task 3: Green Design Plan for a Sustainable Future (1000 words) Objective: To conceptualize a green design plan that promotes sustainability for the future.
Instructions:
Development of a Green Design Plan: Plan Creation: Develop a green design plan that addresses key sustainability indicators.
Analysis and Reporting: Analyze these indicators and present the findings in a concise format for stakeholders.
Realistic or Hypothetical Approach: Your plan can be based on realistic or hypothetical scenarios but should aim to inspire sustainable practices.
Assessment Guidelines Diagnosing the Problem: Recognize the need or gap that innovation aims to address.
Idea Generation: Employ brainstorming, research, and creativity to generate potential solutions.
Concept Development: Refine ideas, develop prototypes, and evaluate feasibility.
Action Plan: Implement the chosen idea through testing, development, and production.
Evaluation: Assess the success, impact, and effectiveness of the innovation.
Factors Driving Sustainable Innovation General Factors: Leadership commitment, innovation culture, resource allocation, collaboration.
Task-Related Factors: R&D, employee involvement, market understanding.
Challenges and Solutions in Sustainable Innovation Challenges: Budget constraints, regulatory concerns, resistance to change.
Solutions: Sensitivity training, green management, partnerships and collaboration, employee engagement, long-term vision focus.