Sustainability as strategic advantage in the energy industry : the case of Enpal

This case study focuses on Enpal, a Berlin based solar panel installation company, that developed a novel leasing model for solar panels and energy saving equipment to homeowners, at no upfront cost. The case allows students to analyse a practical scenario on how a company can gain competitive advantage based on a sustainability strategy. The case offers an understanding of the key aspects of shared value creation and strategic sustainability. Students have the opportunity to analyse the challenges facing the German energy sector, including the rise of renewable energy, electrification, shifting competitive positioning, consumer behaviour and changing legislation. The case study highlights Enpal's commitment to sustainability and the initiatives the company has undertaken to create shared value. After studying this case, students are expected to, (1) understand the challenges facing the energy sector in the 21st century, (2) evaluate Enpal's strategy and its success relative to its competitors, (3) analyse the role of sustainability in Enpal's strategy and identify the initiatives that the company has carried out to create shared value, (4) differentiate between integrative and transformative approaches to sustainability in the energy sector, and (5) develop recommendations for Enpal's top management to further develop its strategy with sustainability concerns. The goal for students is to differentiate stages of corporate social responsibilities and apply theoretical literature to a practical scenario. The dissertation includes a literature review of the concept of corporate social responsibility, shared value creation and sustainability strategy. It also offers teaching notes to help instructors lead the in- class discussion.Este estudo de caso centra-se na Enpal, uma empresa sediada em Berlim que desenvolveu um modelo de aluguer de painéis solares e aparelhos de poupança de energia para proprietários de casas, sem custos iniciais. O caso permite aos alunos analisar a forma como uma empresa pode obter uma vantagem competitiva através de uma estratégia de sustentabilidade. Adicionalmente, o cao permite compreender os principais aspectos da criação de valor partilhado e da sustentabilidade estratégica. Os alunos têm a oportunidade de analisar os desafios do sector da energia, incluindo o aumento das energias renováveis, a electrificação, a alteração da posição competitiva, o comportamento dos consumidores e a alteração da legislação. O estudo destaca o compromisso da Enpal com a sustentabilidade e as suas iniciativas de valor partilhado. Após o estudo, os alunos deverão ser capazes de: (1) compreender os desafios do sector da energia no século XXI, (2) avaliar a estratégia da Enpal e o seu sucesso em relação aos concorrentes, (3) analisar o papel da sustentabilidade na estratégia da Enpal, (4) distinguir abordagens integradoras e transformadoras da sustentabilidade no sector da energia, e (5) apresentar recomendações para que a Enpal continue a desenvolver uma estratégia baseada na sustentabilidade. O objectivo para os estudantes é aplicar a teoria da responsabilidade social das empresas a cenários práticos. A tese analisa a literatura sobre responsabilidade social, criação de valor partilhado e estratégia de sustentabilidade e inclui notas para facilitar a discussão na aula

The Effects of the Food Additive Titanium Dioxide (E171) on Tumor Formation and Gene Expression in the Colon of a Transgenic Mouse Model for Colorectal Cancer

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is present in many different food products as the food additive E171, which is currently scrutinized due to its potential adverse effects, including the stimulation of tumor formation in the gastrointestinal tract. We developed a transgenic mouse model to examine the effects of E171 on colorectal cancer (CRC), using the Cre-LoxP system to create an Apc-gene-knockout model which spontaneously develops colorectal tumors. A pilot study showed that E171 exposed mice developed colorectal adenocarcinomas, which were accompanied by enhanced hyperplasia in epithelial cells, and increased tumor size. In the main study, tumor formation was studied following the exposure to 5 mg/kgbw/day of E171 for 9 weeks (Phase I). E171 exposure showed a statistically nonsignificant increase in the number of colorectal tumors in these transgenic mice, as well as a statistically nonsignificant increase in the average number of mice with tumors. Gene expression changes in the colon were analyzed after exposure to 1, 2, and 5 mg/kgbw/day of E171 for 2, 7, 14, and 21 days (Phase II). Whole-genome mRNA analysis revealed the modulation of genes in pathways involved in the regulation of gene expression, cell cycle, post-translational modification, nuclear receptor signaling, and circadian rhythm. The processes associated with these genes might be involved in the enhanced tumor formation and suggest that E171 may contribute to tumor formation and progression by modulation of events related to inflammation, activation of immune responses, cell cycle, and cancer signaling

Reply to Kaminski, N.E.; Cohen, S.M. Comment on “Bischoff et al. The Effects of the Food Additive Titanium Dioxide (E171) on Tumor Formation and Gene Expression in the Colon of a Transgenic Mouse Model for Colorectal Cancer. <i>Nanomaterials</i> 2022, <i>12</i>, 1256”

We appreciate the interest in our article describing transcriptome changes in a transgenic mouse model carrying an APC gene mutation and would like to reply to the reader [...