Sunday, February 22, 2009

How Work Place Ethos Subdue Moral Judgements

Citibank orders a jet. Merrill Lynch CEO demands for a bonus and renovates the office. All of these at times of crisis (which was their own doing) and after receiving the public money for bailout. It makes me wonder how these powerful individuals are insensitive to what is happening outside. How toxic is the culture in these power corridors that one is unable to discern right from wrong? Or is the path to such positions filled with experiences that change a person and his value system.

Media has been harsh on such news, which is rightly justified. But also we need to look into what shapes a toxic corporate culture and how it can be avoided. Maybe Organisational Behaviour specialists can provide some answers.

But I have another serious concern. How does one protect himself from influences of a toxic culture when he walks in corporate corridors?

Friday, February 13, 2009

How practical is Closed Loop Manufacturing?

I was impressed by the concept of closed loop manufacturing, to model manufacturing units like biological units which use each other's output and there is no release of waste in environment. One can read more about it in the article http://www.kk.org/outofcontrol/ch10-e.html .

First I thought it was impractical because one will need to use suitable machinery, locate the industries near to each other and connect them. And how financially feasible it will be? But then I came across E-waste recycling and felt that it might not be that difficult. One can recycle 95% of any electronic waste which can go back into electronics and other products. The rest 5% waste, as the article (indicated above) suggests, the mother nature has the capability to absorb and recycle.

I hope closed loop manufacturing becomes a reality or else...... I am reminded of the opening scene of Hollywood movie 'Wall-E', with piles of waste everywhere and humans in space.