Business Case Studies & Business Publications

Shaw Industries: Sustainable Business, E...

Larson, Andrea, O'...

Case

Shaw Industries: Sustainable Business, Entrepreneurial Innovation, and Green Chemistry

Larson, Andrea; O'Brien, Karen; Anderson, Alia

ENT-0087 | Published November 9, 2006 | 18 pages Case

Collection: Darden School of Business

Product Details

Shaw Industries, a leading U.S. global manufacturer of floor coverings, produced EcoWorx technology to create a carpet tile that is PVC-free and able to be recycled, upon return to the company, as a carpet tile of equal quality and performance. Using green chemistry, the company has created a sustainable business innovation that cut costs, improves revenues, positively influences health and the environment, improves the brand, and enhances Shaw's strategic positioning going forward. The case explores drivers of change toward sustainably designed floor coverings and EcoWorx as example of innovative change using sustainability framework.