Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • 2003
  • Article
  • Corporate Environmental Strategy

BMW Group's Sustainability Management System: Preliminary Results, Ongoing Challenges, and the UN Global Compact

By: Michael W. Toffel, Natalie Hill and Kellie McElhaney
  • Format:Print
ShareBar

Abstract

This article describes preliminary results and ongoing challenges faced by Designworks/USA, an industrial design subsidiary of BMW Group, in its sustainability management efforts since it implemented the world's first certified Sustainability Management System (SMS). In addition, the extent to which the SMS promotes BMW Group's commitment to implement the United Nations Global Compact's human rights, labor, and environmental principles is analyzed. A detailed description of the development of a SMS standard and its deployment throughout the business operations of Designworks/USA was provided in the previous issue of CES Journal.

Keywords

Environmental Sustainability; Management Systems; Standards; Social Issues; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Outcome or Result; Auto Industry

Citation

Toffel, Michael W., Natalie Hill, and Kellie McElhaney. "BMW Group's Sustainability Management System: Preliminary Results, Ongoing Challenges, and the UN Global Compact." Corporate Environmental Strategy 10, no. 3 (2003).
  • Read Now

About The Author

Michael W. Toffel

Technology and Operations Management
→More Publications

More from the Authors

    • April 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Driving Decarbonization at BMW – Instructor Spreadsheet Supplement

    By: Shirley Lu, George Serafeim and Michael W. Toffel
    • January 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Global Sourcing at Nike

    By: Nien-hê Hsieh and Michael W. Toffel
    • December 2022 (Revised April 2023)
    • Faculty Research

    Driving Decarbonization at BMW - Spreadsheet Supplement

    By: Shirley Lu, George Serafeim and Michael W. Toffel
More from the Authors
  • Driving Decarbonization at BMW – Instructor Spreadsheet Supplement By: Shirley Lu, George Serafeim and Michael W. Toffel
  • Global Sourcing at Nike By: Nien-hê Hsieh and Michael W. Toffel
  • Driving Decarbonization at BMW - Spreadsheet Supplement By: Shirley Lu, George Serafeim and Michael W. Toffel
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College