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ESS Capstone Projects

By Theme:Arts and Literature | Campus Sustainability | Community Perspectives | Development | Economic Analysis | Ecosystem Analysis | Education | Energy | Environmental Justice | Food Systems | Geology of the Watershed | Green Architecture | Green Business | History of the Watershed | Invasive Species | Land Use Patterns | Public Policy | Recreation | Transportation | Water Quality

Green Business

People/Profit/Planet Venn diagram"We Are Closer to You": Stewart's Shops and Corporate Social Responsibility

Harrison Shulman and Jim Turley (2010)

We studied the workings of Stewart's Shops to determine the practices that have enabled them to be successful in business while maintaining a positive relationship with the communities in which they operate stores as well as a low environmental impact.  We have discovered that Corporate Social Responsibility does not have to be driven by a desire to strictly avoid risk, develop a marketing strategy or target a niche market.  In the case of Stewart's Shops, Corporate Social Responsibility has been the result of their desire to make money and stay in business one hundred years from now. 

Full report is not available. Please contact Karen Kellogg for more information.

 

The Greens are checking inThe "Greens" are Checking In: Assessing the New York State Green Hotel Partnership

Dana Leonard and Derek Stork (2010)

New York has identified a national shift in the hospitality and tourism industry to more environmentally friendly business practices, saving both operating costs and natural resources.  To influence this change, New York has established the Green Hospitality and Tourism Partnership and Certification Program. To achieve a comprehensive understanding and assessment of the Green Hotel Certification Program and Partnership, open-ended interviews were conducted to address every level of involvement with the program.  Through the interviews and extensive media coverage we have found that select hotels across New York are becoming ambassadors and are essential to the eco-tourism movement in New York.

Finch Paper factoryFinch Paper: Going Green

Michael Jennings and Doug Yeates (2011)

Why is Finch Pruyn, one of the largest remaining paper companies in the Adirondacks, seeking to reduce their carbon and wastewater emissions as well as manage their forest lands more sustainably? We examine the impact of outside stakeholders in making environmental considerations an important component of Finch’s long term competitive strategy.

 

Please Enjoy SustainablyPlease Enjoy Sustainably

Jack Marston, LJ Combs, and Rebecca Schwartz (2014)

Brewing beer is an energy- and resource-intensive process, from importing ingredients, through many phases of the brewing process, to distribution of the final product.  Many craft brewers across the nation are attempting to mitigate their environmental impact.  We investigated current sustainability practices and efficiency measures in craft breweries, and used the findings to inform an action research plan for Olde Saratoga Brewing Company, including feasible strategies to reduce energy and resource use.

The End of Skiing?The End of Skiing?

John Crisan and Andrew Blake (2014)

The first humans to strap long pieces of wood to their feet lived during the most recent Ice Age –  8000 BC. Today, skiing has become a way of life for some and declarations of its approaching demise have caused upset. We examined historic precipitation patterns, future climate and snow cover projections, and business theory to predict the effect of climate change on ski resorts.

Full report is not available. Please contact Karen Kellogg for more information.

Easy Being Green? The Effects of Environmental Marketing on Millennials Consumer BehaviorEasy Being Green? The Effects of Environmental Marketing on Millennials Consumer Behavior

Elizabeth Dolan, Natalie McKeon, and Sarah Mellon (2015)

The Millennial Generation is very concerned about the environment, but this ecological sentiment may not translate directly to their purchasing behavior.  Millennial consumers struggle in their ability to identify and interpret eco-labels.  This population is more likely to support green products that are associated with a strong, eco-friendly brand, indicated by clear and visually-appealing imagery.

Got Local? Want Local? Consumer Marketing Analysis of Local FoodGot Local? Want Local? Consumer Marketing Analysis of Local Food

Rachel Dyckman, Olivia Gramprie, & Alyssa Hagerbrant (2016)

Local food (food grown within a region) is a growing environmental movement, and large food retailers are trying to capitalize on this trend.  Retailers use food labels to capture consumer interest in local food.  We evaluated local food availability in several cities within the Capital Region of New York State, and assessed how stores label and advertise local food.  The majority of consumers will pay more for a local product, but availability and labeling vary widely among retailers.

 

Farm 2 FiberFrom Farm to Fiber: Consumer and Producer Perceptions of Slow Fashion in the Hudson Valley

Grace Sowyrda (2020)

Unlike fast fashion, one of the world’s largest polluters, slow fashion considers all aspects of the supply chain, including environmental and social factors. The research explored consumer and producer perceptions of the drawbacks and benefits of slow fashion in the Hudson Valley through semi-structured interviews and surveys, to help consumers understand the importance of sustainable clothing and local fiber systems that decentralize the supply chain, heal soil, and reduce waste.

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