Will Oracle's Sales-led Sustainability Strategy Succeed?

Published: 28 April 2011

6 pages, 1 figure

Executive Summary

This report provides CSOs, VPs of sustainability, and heads of strategy with independent analysis of Oracle’s sustainability strategy. Verdantix selected Oracle, a $27 billion global technology firm, for a strategy case study following the firm’s acquisitions in the sustainable business software market. Verdantix research finds that Oracle’s existing approach maintains a legacy CSR programme typified by philanthropic reporting, lack of board-level involvement and outdated energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets. While its internal programme lacks direction, Oracle does offer ‘green IT’ software solutions. In addition, in 2010 Oracle launched innovative products focused on smart meter and sustainability sensor data management. Verdantix analysis finds that announcements by its competitors, such as HP, IBM and SAP, place Oracle at a sustainability strategy crossroads. Verdantix outlines the three options that Oracle faces: maintaining a tactical sales approach; actively acquiring a sustainable business software portfolio; or embedding sustainability into corporate culture.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ORACLE’S SALES CULTURE DOMINATES ITS SUSTAINABILTY PLAN
Oracle’s Initiatives Point To A New Focus On Sales Opportunities
Oracle Stands At A Crossroads For Its Sustainability Strategy

TABLE OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Oracle’s Sustainability Initiatives Are Mostly Business As Usual

COMPANIES MENTIONED

Amosca, Atrion International, Barclays, Carbon Disclosure Project, CarbonSystems, Clear Standards, Credit 360, DHL, DONG Energy, ENXSUITE, ESP, ESS, FTSE Corporation, Greenstone Carbon Management, Hara, Harrington Investments, HP, Hyperion, Iberdrola Renewables, IBM, IHS, JD Edwards, Kraft Foods, Logica, Ndevr, Nomura, Oracle, SAP, Sun Microsystems, Syntex, TechniData, TRIRIGA, US Environmental Protection Agency