INDUSTRY I SUSTAINABILITY


What’s quality got to do with sustainability?


The solar and PV industries are changing as oversupply and over generous subsidies move back towards a realistic keel. Companies are going to need to understand their end consumer and realise where opportunities lie further along the value chain if they are to maintain solar uptake in the broader community. Raj Sapru, Director of Advisory Services at BSR discusses the growing trend of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and highlights the growing opportunities.


26 www.solar-pv-management.com I Issue X 2011 T


he total quality movement is three times older than CSR and there are a lot of similarities with opportunities to collaborate that could lead to more progress for both fields. About a half century ago, Edwards Deming and Joseph Juran were asking some questions that sounded ahead of their time: How can companies redesign whole systems to overcome corporate challenges and improve products, service, and the organization?


Did they claim to be sustainable business pioneers? No. Deming and Juran launched the total quality movement to create lean operations, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. Although these ideas may resonate with leaders in CSR, they have not been widely recognized in this field.


But they could be. CSR practitioners grapple with energy efficiency, supply chain metrics, supplier engagement several


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