Water as a corporate resource

Abstract

Purpose

Water is a unique resource that does not receive enough attention among companies given its essential contribution to human life. Its uniqueness among all resources results from its environmental, socio-political and economic characteristics. The purpose of this paper is to explore water's uniqueness to companies, especially how one company, Coca-Cola, is currently managing this resource and to describe a few serious challenges that companies will face.

Design/methodology/approach

Coca-Cola has become a leader among these corporations, and we can learn from this company about suggested actions that others might want to use.

Findings

The major actions that companies must take relate to impact assessment and reporting, increased stewardship as a corporate responsibility, observing principles of sustainability and the increased recognition of water in all environmental policies and regulatory actions, partnerships with government and non-government organizations, and technology and design, i.e. allocating financial and human capital to develop new technologies.

Originality/value

Several corporations, in recognizing water's uniqueness as a resource, have taken actions for its management.

Citation

S. Fogel, D. and Elizabeth Palmer, J. (2014), "Water as a corporate resource", Journal of Global Responsibility, Vol. 5 No. 1, pp. 104-125. https://doi.org/10.1108/JGR-02-2014-0007