Impact of climate change on business strategies. German automotive companies' business strategies with respect to climate protection

Magisterarbeit , 2020 , 91 Seiten , Note: 2

Ingenieurwissenschaften - Fahrzeugtechnik

This study will address the climate change impact on business strategies of top German automotive companies. Its goal is to assess the significant changes in business and the long-term susceptibility plans towards climate change to remain globally competitive due to increasing social and political pressure on the automotive companies. Business strategies of the German automotive industry are changing significantly as awareness of climate change is rising at an intense pace globally. The discussion of Climate change and CO2 reduction challenge is all over in the automotive and general media. According to the latest report on Climate change by IPCC, the global average temperature will likely rise by 1.5⁰ Celsius in the next 30 year.

This change in temperature will have no point of return, and It will show catastrophic effects on the world. The automotive industry is changing their business strategies and setting targets for zero carbon reduction to mitigate future climate change risks. This thesis delves deep into business strategies of top German automotive companies and their mitigation plans.This thesis highlights the different challenges that rose in top German automotive company groups. It begins with a literature review for understanding the Climate change challenge and mitigation strategy research.

The business strategies are discussed on the company activities such as organizational involvement, risk management, carbon measurement and policy, product improvement, process improvement, carbon compensation, new markets and product development, stakeholder engagement, corporate communication and political activities. The Daimler Group, Volkswagen Group and BMW Group, the leaders of the automotive industry in Germany are analyzed thoroughly in the case studies for assessing change in business strategies. Finally, based on the case studies and literature review the impact of climate change on business strategies explained and discussed.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Abstract
• Acknowledgement
• List of Figures
• List of Tables
• Abbreviations
• 1. Introduction
  • 1.1 Statement of the Problem
  • 1.2 Purpose of the Study
  • 1.3 Thesis research questions and thesis structure
  • 1.4 Scope and Limitations
  • 1.5 Definition of Terms
  • 1.6 Research methodology for Business Climate Change Strategies
• 2. Climate change and the German Automotive industry
  • 2.1 Introduction
  • 2.2 The changing environment
    • 2.2.1 The climate change: It is a real challenge
    • 2.2.2 Understanding Climate Change
    • 2.2.3 Reason for the rising temperature of the earth?
    • 2.2.4 The impact and future of climate change
    • 2.2.5 Resources security
    • 2.2.6 Kyoto protocol
  • 2.3 Business Climate Change Strategy: The automotive industry
    • 2.3.1 The automotive industry emissions
    • 2.3.2 Climate strategy as a competitive strategy
    • 2.3.3 The connection between product, process, and economic system
• 3. Case studies of top German automotive companies
  • 3.1 Case study 1: Daimler AG
    • 3.1.1 Company profile
    • 3.1.2 Governance for climate change
    • 3.1.3 Greenhouse gases reduction
    • 3.1.4 Climate change competitiveness
    • 3.1.5 Future goals
  • 3.2 Case study 2: Volkswagen
    • 3.2.1 Company profile
    • 3.2.2 Governance for climate change
    • 3.2.3 Greenhouse gases reduction
    • 3.2.4 Climate change competitiveness
    • 3.2.5 Future Goals
  • 3.3 Case study 3: BMW GROUP
    • 3.3.1 Company profile
    • 3.3.2 Governance for climate change
    • 3.3.3 Greenhouse gases reduction
    • 3.3.4 Climate change competitiveness
    • 3.3.5 Future goals
• 4. Summary and finding of elements of Business Strategies in Case companies
  • 4.1 Introduction
  • 4.2 Summery and findings of the case companies
    • 4.2.1 Company profiles

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This master thesis aims to explore the impact of climate change on the business strategies of leading German automotive companies. The study analyzes how these companies are adapting their operations, product development, and corporate policies in response to the growing urgency of climate change mitigation.

• Climate change mitigation strategies in the automotive industry
• Business strategy adjustments in response to environmental concerns
• Analysis of case studies from Daimler, Volkswagen, and BMW
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of corporate initiatives to reduce carbon emissions
• The role of stakeholder engagement and corporate communication in climate change action

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• Chapter 1: Introduction This chapter sets the stage for the thesis, defining the research problem, outlining the study's purpose, and introducing the thesis research questions. It also defines key terms and outlines the research methodology used to explore the impact of climate change on business strategies.
• Chapter 2: Climate Change and the German Automotive Industry This chapter provides an overview of climate change and its impacts on the global environment, specifically focusing on the German automotive industry. It examines the changing environment, the automotive industry's emissions, and the need for climate strategies as competitive advantages.
• Chapter 3: Case Studies of Top German Automotive Companies This chapter delves into individual case studies of Daimler AG, Volkswagen Group, and BMW Group. Each case study analyzes the companies' governance structures related to climate change, their greenhouse gas reduction efforts, and their strategies for achieving climate change competitiveness.
• Chapter 4: Summary and Finding of Elements of Business Strategies in Case Companies This chapter summarizes the key findings of the case studies, focusing on the elements of business strategies adopted by Daimler, Volkswagen, and BMW. It provides a comprehensive overview of the companies' approaches to climate change mitigation.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

This thesis examines the impact of climate change on business strategy, particularly focusing on the German automotive industry. The study analyzes the strategies implemented by leading automotive companies, including Daimler, Volkswagen, and BMW, to mitigate their environmental impact. Key keywords include: business strategy, climate change, CO2, automotive industry, Daimler group, Volkswagen group, BMW group, carbon measurement, organizational involvement, stakeholder engagement, corporate communication, and carbon compensation.

• Note: 2
• Autor: Suyash Rewale (Autor:in)
• Erscheinungsjahr: 2020
• Seiten: 91
• Katalognummer: V1245173
• ISBN (PDF): 9783346682697
• ISBN (Buch): 9783346682703
• Sprache: Englisch
• Schlagworte: impact, climate, business, strategies, german