Skills For Environmental Professionals In Automobile Industry

Roles and Responsibilities of Environmental Professionals in Automobile Industry

Discuss about the Skills for Environmental Professionals.

This particular study is based on the evaluation of knowledge for Environmental Professionals in Automobile Industry. In order to more precise, the study illustrates the knowledge as well as skills that the environmental professionals needed. Before entering that discussion, the roles and responsibility of the professionals are manifested in this study. It helps to understand the reason or purpose behind understanding the skills needed for the environmental professionals. Besides, it discusses about the environmental research which helps the professional in making right decisions. However, the study majorly concentrates on elaborating the skills of environmental professionals in automobile industry. The reason behind considering the automobile industry is that environment is heavily affected by air and noise pollution made by the vehicles. Thus, the automobile organizations employ environmental professionals who would help to undertake some initiatives that help to restrain the negative impact on the environment. The environmental professionals help to maintain the social responsibility of the organizations.

The prime objectives of this study are demonstrated below:

• To elaborate the roles and responsibility of environmental professionals in automobile industry
• To demonstrate the technique of environmental research
• To identify the key tools that are used or can be used in environmental decision making process
• To discuss the skills that the environmental professionals needed

As opined by Morelli (2013), the environmental managers have extreme workload and a range of strategic tasks. The automobile industry has been immensely affecting the global environment and negative impact is made on the society. However, the advent of green movement make people concern about the society where they are living. Besides, the automobile industry becomes aware about the need of environmental professionals and high skilled car engineers. The environmental managers have turned to new innovative ways in manufacturing the new vehicles. It helps to conserve the environment and save the natural resources. Wade et al. (2014) mentioned that nowadays most of the automobiles organizations concentrate on manufacturing the solar powered vehicles, hydro powered cars and electric cars in order to maintain the social responsibility. The prime and foremost responsibility of the environmental mangers in automobile industry is to help the organizations in turning greener steadily and producing eco friendly vehicles (Morelli 2013). Their major role is to develop and implement innovative environmental strategies along with action plans. It helps to obtain sustainable competitive advantages and ensure the corporate sustainable development. In the automobile industry, the environmental managers take the lead role on sustainable procurement for manufacturing all products. As discussed by Davenport (2013), the environmental professionals mainly look over waste management, pollution control, recycling process, preserving environmental health, and renewable energy activities.

Wade et al. (2014) added in this context that the environmental managers play a major role in formulating innovative strategies, policies, and practices which would help them to meet their purpose in the businesses. Furthermore, they consider all the state and global environmental legislations in the business. Besides, they keep their supervisors up to date about the new government regulation and legislations. Morelli (2013) mentioned that the environmental professionals’ major duty is to auditing, analyzing, and reporting the higher authority about the environmental performances of the teams and regulatory bodies. After manufacturing the innovative vehicles, they promote the new products by enhancing the awareness. Through involving the best practices, the environmental professionals enhance the ethical considerations and social responsibilities of the organizations (Davenport 2013). Apart from this, they play a crucial role in implementing environmental management system which helps the organizations to improve their impact on the environment. Further, they manage the relation of board of directors with the senior management and internal staffs (Wade et al. 2014).

Environmental Research

According to Bergek et al. (2014), environmental research is the most essential activity that that the environmental managers look over. In this activity, use of computers has a significant role in monitoring all the organizational operations. Ambec et al. (2013) stated that the computer technology has essential applications in all kind of operation management. Though, here the study focuses only on the activities operated by the environmental managers. The key areas where the personal computers play effective role include business communication, inventory management, management information system, human resource management, data management, and customer relationship management (Sierzchula et al. 2012). Sierzchula et al. (2012) elaborated that the environmental managers use the personal computers for maintain the business communication. In this context, it is important to mention that the managers have to stay connected with all the stakeholders at a time. Thus, computer technology has a massive importance in this activity. Both the staffs engaged in internal and external business activities need guides from the environmental managers to proceed as per the considered initiatives. As the automobile organizations involved in manufacturing new innovative vehicles, they need to maintain high budget at the initial stage (De Marchi 2012). Thus, it is important for them to manage their inventory in an effective manner in order to manage their budget.

De Marchi (2012) opined that in innovative working process, all the individuals need to be informed about tasks oriented information. Personal computers help to manage the information system so that the employees are able engaged efficiently. Through connected with all the stakeholders, the environmental managers are able to inform the individuals and the teams about their roles and changing strategies. This helps them in time as well as budget management. Time management and budget management are the most effective organizational activities in project implementation process (Sierzchula et al. 2012). Along with that, the managers manage and monitor the human resources. The environmental managers need to decide what number of members should be engaged in new environmental project implementation process and what number in other activities. It is decided based on their knowledge, skills and performances. Following the statement of Aghion et al. (2012), the computer technology helps the environmental managers in data management and customer relationship management process. It has been mentioned before that the environmental managers are involved many of the organizational operations. Thus, data management is the most important task of the environmental managers that helps to run the business operations in a smooth manner (Sierzchula et al. 2012).

In automobile industry, there is an important role of the teaching and computer lab activities. Nowadays, the automobile industry is involved in implementing innovative process in order to manufacture new innovative vehicles that would make negligible impact on society (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015). The continuous innovation process needs to be maintained and monitored well. As stated by Davenport (2013), teaching activities needed in implementing the innovative process. In order to more precise, the employees require proper guidance and instructions about the new process. The environmental managers need to guide the employees though some teaching activities. It would help the employees in improving their employability skills (Ambec et al. 2013). In the teaching activities, the managers share their own knowledge as well as value the employees’ opinion too. Through valuing their opinion, they are able to bring out the best idea and technique through with certain projects can be implemented. Apart from the teaching activities, the computer lab activities have a significant importance in this context. The computer lab activities are mainly considered in the research and development process (Wade et al. 2014). Research and development team is engaged in incorporating the new features in the vehicles that would reduce the noise and air pollution. Through computer lab activities, the team ensures that the projects are implementing in the proper manner (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015). Besides, the technology incorporated in the vehicles would deliver positive result.

Use of Personal Computers

In this context, Wade et al. (2014) added that certain software packages are considered in the lab activities that help the environmental managers to run the management and monitoring process in less possible time. Here, it is important to mention that the software packages differ from firm to firm. It is based on the choices and implementation process of the environmental managers in incorporating certain software packages. Along with that, in some of the organizations, the computer lab activities are involved in developing new software that would include all the requirements and criteria for implementing the projects (Davenport 2013). In some cases, it has been found that the environmental managers employ some information technology experts to develop new software packages (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015). It has been found that the environmental managers use the excel sheets in statistical analysis. In most of the automobile industry, Microsoft Excel is used as a statistical software package for analyzing the data (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015). The reason behind this is this software package helps to manage the data and information in an easier way. Besides, the environmental managers do not need to guide the employees or controlling team much about the use of the use of this particular package. The knowledge about Microsoft Excel is considered in the basic knowledge and thus the employees, involved in technical activities, have the knowledge about this specific software package (Ambec et al. 2013). As a result, it helps the environmental managers to reduce the managing complexities and the time contributions.

As per the statement of Luthra, Garg and Haleem (2015), accounting tools help to manage all the activities that need to be incorporated along with certain budget framework. It has been mentioned before that the environmental managers need to look over a large number of organizational operations. Besides, in order to incorporate the innovative activities, the environmental professionals need to build new team, formulate new strategies and clear decisions. The accounting tools help the managers to build long term sustainability of the business. The environmental managers need to enhance the profitability of the business along with establishing positive environmental impact. Following the viewpoint of Davenport (2013), the accounting tools help the environmental managers in decision making process. Some specific accounting tools and approaches are there that are widely considered by the environmental professional. These tools and approaches mainly include Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Ecological Footprint, Environmental Management System (EMS), and Ecological Footprint Calculator (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015).

Ambec et al. (2013) opined that Life Cycle Assessment approach or technique that helps to assess the impact of the all stages of production. More specifically, it defines the effect of all stages of product’s life from raw material extracts to final product, distribution, repair, and recycling. The environmental professors consider this particular approach in order to reduce the negative impact of the production. This particular technique helps to evaluate the potential impact of the production through identifying the inputs and its releases (Wade et al. 2014). Through interpreting the outcomes, the managers are able to take more informed decisions. In automobile industry, it is important to reduce the environmental impact in every stage of the production.

Teaching Activities

Davenport (2013) defined that the ecological footprint is the measurement of the impact of the human activities on the society. It has been mentioned before that that the automobile industry widely affect the environment with air and noise pollution. Besides, the manufacturing process affects the water with its releases. Through measuring the ecological footprint, the environmental professionals decide which activities should be considered and which are to be neglected (Wade et al. 2014). The managers need to balance both the environmental impact and the profitability of the business. Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins (2015) explained that the ecological footprint calculator majorly used by the environmental professionals. This particular tool helps to specify the activities, time, duration, number of people needs to engaged and individual roles. Though specifying these factors, the managers in the automobile industry increases the effectiveness of the ecological footprint technique (Davenport 2013). The entire process is a lengthy process which needs to be directed in a proper direction at the initial stage. These tools help to take effective decisions before initiating the entire process.

Ambec et al. (2013) stated that Environmental Management System defines the activities of managing and monitoring the entire process to provide positive impact on the society. The environmental management system is considered by the mangers to put extra weight on balancing the environmental impact than the profitability in the short run. In such cases, the prime objectives of the environmental professionals is long term goal oriented (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015). The projects might increase the operational expenditure in the short run, but would help the organizations to acquire sustainable competitive advantages in the long run (Davenport 2013). Thus, this tool helps the environmental professionals to make long term decisions.

The above discussion is based on the roles and responsibility of the environmental professionals in the automobile industry. This helps to build the concept of the work system that the environmental professionals look over. The environmental research portion provides the basic idea of the skills that the professionals need to have. In that portion, it has been discussed that different types of software packages are used by the professionals. It depends on the working process, types of projects, and future requirements. However, the study has also mentioned that the Microsoft Excel is widely used by the environmental professionals as one of the effective software packages. This defines that the professional need to have the basic computer skills including the knowledge about the Microsoft Excel. Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins (2015) elaborated that he basic computer skills help to manage the team and incorporate the technology oriented activities easily. The managers do not need to think about providing training programs or improving the knowledge of the employees about the software packages.

Following the statement of Davenport (2013), the communication skill is one of the most essential skills that the environmental professional need in managing the business. Good communication skill allows them to make effective communication with the team and customers too. In this context, it is important to mention that the communication skill in professional life is quite different than the skills one has in their personal life. In business, the environmental professionals need to understand the opinion of the employees as well as make the staffs understand about their own instructions (Ambec et al. 2013). Through communicating with the stakeholders, the environmental professionals can share their knowledge with their subordinates and bring out the best out. In the automobile industry, one of the major responsibilities of the environmental professionals is to incorporate innovative techniques and process for the betterment of the business and the society as well (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015). Through communicating with the stakeholders, the professionals are able to apply the most effective techniques and processes. It has been found that the individuals confront huge challenges in terms or productivity due to changing process. Davenport (2013) explained that good communication process is needed to motivate all the stakeholders for adapting new techniques and delivering the individual roles efficiently.

Ambec et al. (2013) discussed that the environmental professionals need to establish an open communication environment in the workplace. This is because to make all the employees feel free to share their responses and feedbacks. Further, this helps to build good employee relationship through establishing trust. Wade et al. (2014) added in this context that the inclusive communication is one of effective communication processes that help to make the employees feel that they are involved in the decision making process. As a result, the employees feel that they are valued by the managers and thus their responsibility is to cooperate with them. Cooperation is needed from the employees so that the businesses are able to achieve their goal within certain time period (Dechezleprêtre, Neumayer and Perkins 2015).

Davenport (2013) explained that the environmental professionals need to know the report writing skill so that they can inform the supervisors about the ongoing activities along with the future strategies. Report writing is considered in the effective communication process that the environmental professionals need to know about. In report writing, the contents should be meaningful so that the intended message is clearly understood by the readers. It is important to keep the top management up to date about the running organizational operations (Wade et al. 2014). Ambec et al. (2013) opined that the environmental managers need to know professional writing skills which are essential in business communication. As stated by Davenport (2013), along with the report wring skills, the environmental professionals need to know the presentation skills. In presentation skills, the professionals need to have a strong verbal communication.

According to Wade et al. (2014), the project management skill is the most important skill that the environmental managers need to have in incorporating new initiatives. In managing the new projects, the environmental professionals should manage the time along with the budget. It is essential because the organizations confront high expenditure at the initial stage of implementing the projects. Thus, it is important manage the budget with time because if the time exceeds, the budget might increase too (Wade et al. 2014). Apart from this, the environmental professionals need to know which leadership technique should be applied in the project management system. Ambec et al. (2013) explained that the managers need to apply the democratic leadership style in which the leaders allow the opinions of all the stakeholders. Apart from this, the environmental professionals need to know the team management skills in order to manage and monitor the teams in changing work environment (Wade et al. 2014). Through providing proper guidance to the team members, the managers are able to enhance their knowledge and employability skill as well. Along with that, the professionals need to know the risk management skills for achieving the goal and success (Davenport 2013). In order to managing the future risk as well as uncertainty, the environmental professionals need to identify the probable issues and their solutions. There is a high probability of confronting uncertainty in such cases and thus it is way much important to make the solution path as the predictions (Davenport 2013).

Conclusion

The study concludes that in today’s increasing pollution make people aware of the future risks. This is the reason that the people become more conscious about the wellness of the society. The study has brought the fact that the automobile industry delivered huge negative impact to the society. There is a high need to take such initiatives to restrain the negative impact. The study concludes that the automobile organizations hire the environmental professionals to undertake innovative techniques and processes. It has been found that the environmental managers have a large number of roles and responsibilities. In order to fulfill that, the managers need to have some knowledge and key skills. This helps them to reduce the negative impact on society and maintain the profitability of the business as well.

Reference List

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Ambec, S., Cohen, M.A., Elgie, S. and Lanoie, P., 2013. The Porter hypothesis at 20: can environmental regulation enhance innovation and competitiveness?. Review of Environmental Economics and Policy, p.res016.

Bergek, A., Berggren, C. and KITE Research Group, 2014. The impact of environmental policy instruments on innovation: A review of energy and automotive industry studies. Ecological Economics, 106, pp.112-123.

Bergek, A., Berggren, C. and KITE Research Group, 2014. The impact of environmental policy instruments on innovation: A review of energy and automotive industry studies. Ecological Economics, 106, pp.112-123.

Davenport, T.H., 2013. Process innovation: reengineering work through information technology. Harvard Business Press.

De Marchi, V., 2012. Environmental innovation and R&D cooperation: Empirical evidence from Spanish manufacturing firms. Research Policy,41(3), pp.614-623.

Dechezleprêtre, A., Neumayer, E. and Perkins, R., 2015. Environmental regulation and the cross-border diffusion of new technology: Evidence from automobile patents. Research Policy, 44(1), pp.244-257.

Luthra, S., Garg, D. and Haleem, A., 2015. Critical success factors of green supply chain management for achieving sustainability in Indian automobile industry. Production Planning & Control, 26(5), pp.339-362.

Morelli, J., 2013. Environmental sustainability: A definition for environmental professionals. Journal of Environmental Sustainability, 1(1), p.2.

Sierzchula, W., Bakker, S., Maat, K. and Van Wee, B., 2012. Technological diversity of emerging eco-innovations: a case study of the automobile industry. Journal of Cleaner Production, 37, pp.211-220.

Wade, M.J., Gettmann, K.D., Behrsing, T., Sciullo, E. and Davis, B., 2014. Risk and Decision-Making: A Workshop for Environmental Professionals.Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 20(1), pp.263-271.