Review the “Chapter 9 Case: Brewing a Better World: Sustainable Supply Chain Management at Green Mountain Coffee Roasters (GMCR), Inc.” in the Sustainable Business Case Book. Analyze the case by responding to the following questions:
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Describe how GMCR grew and increased profitability by selling single-cup coffee. Then discuss the significance of single-cup coffee packaging and how it relates to sustainability. Is single-cup brewing compatible with sustainability? Why or why not? Can GMCR maintain its leadership in sustainable business practices and continue to grow its single-cup coffee business?
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View the following websites:
- Keurig Recycling
- https://news.keuriggreenmountain.com/sites/keurig.newshq.businesswire.com/files/image/additional/Recyclable_K-Cup_Fact_Sheet_June_2016.pdf
- Press Release: Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Inc. Introduces Smart Technology to Small Office Brewers with Launch of Keurig® Vue® Brewing System with RFID Technology
3. How does Vue support GMCR’s claims that its new brewer technology and its packs of plastic cups are more environmentally friendly? Is GMCR doing enough to address its environmental critiques?
4. What happens to GMCR now that its main competitor, Starbucks, is selling single-cup brewers in their stores and after its K-Cup patent expires? Will this increase the company’s reliance on sustainable business practices with Vue and other similarly focused initiatives? Within the single-cup segment of the coffee market, will GMCR be able to continue to distinguish itself by its sustainability effort, and can sustainability efforts contribute to future profitability and stock price appreciation?
Instructions:
- Label your Word document as follows: yourlastname.docx (ex: Johnson.docx).
- Use the attached APA Word Document template provided.
- Essay format, not bullet format.
- Minimum five total pages of content (Word Document) of strategic material (does not include a cover page, abstract, or reference pages).
- All charts, graphs, and pictures are in the appendix (not a substitute for content).
- Make sure you use credible and reliable resources-5 minimum (2 peer-reviewed); format in APA.
- Refrain from excessive quotes in your response (less than 5%).
- Once you submit your document to the assignment folder, it will automatically be loaded to TURNITIN.COM within the course. Your similarity scan score must be 20% or less (the following will be excluded: headers, bibliography, etc.) before the instructor grades the paper—focus on the content of the scan percentage.