Corporate social responsibility
- To succeed in this unit, you are required to complete two assignments. You must ensure that you cover all the assessment criteria for this unit over the two assignments as indicated.
- Assignment 1
- Context
- You work for a well-known sports manufacturer. Your company has recently received a lot of bad publicity because of investigations and reports in the press about human rights and conditions for workers in factories used by the company. Workers have reported abuse, low wages and poor physical working environments. The company manufactures in Mexico, China, Taiwan and South Korea. There is a code of conduct for suppliers but no means of ensuring it is adhered to. This issue has caused the company to consider other corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues such as carbon neutrality and recycling. It has become apparent to senior managers that a CSR policy is needed but the Board must be convinced of this. You have been asked to put together a persuasive case for introducing a CSR policy, which the senior management team will consider at their next meeting before producing a final draft for the Board. You will present your arguments in the form of a report.
Task 1 - Carry out research and produce an explanatory report for the senior management team which covers the following:
- a definition of CSR 1.1
- a description of the background and changing attitudes to CSR 1.2
- a description of the regulatory framework for CSR 1.3
- an explanation of environmental issues in CSR 1.4
- an explanation of economic and political issues in CSR 1.5
- an explanation of social and community issues in CSR 1.6.
Task 2 - Following submission of your report, the senior management team wish to explore the issues further. They invite you to a discussion where you are presented with a series of topics/questions. Prepare detailed answers to the questions/topics and be prepared to present any or all of your responses verbally or in writing.
- Assess the benefits of CSR to our employees 2.1
- Please give us an analysis of the impact of CSR on our supply chain 2.2
- Explain how CSR policy will impact on our business performance 2.3
- Explain how CSR will impact on our marketing strategy 2.4
- Assess the conflicts which might occur when we try to satisfy the needs and expectations of different stakeholders through CSR 2.5.
This assignment covers assessment criteria 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 3.4 and 2.5
A bibliography must be attached.
Assignment 2
Context
Following the meeting with senior managers the report was submitted to the Board of Directors, who accepted the recommendation that a CSR policy be developed. The Board instructed the senior managers to produce a draft policy for consultation. Their approach is to initially review the CSR policy of a similar company, i.e. another sports manufacturer and they have delegated this task to you.
Task 1
Choose a sports manufacturer and review its CSR policy. Present your findings in detailed notes.
Include in the notes an assessment of the extent of voluntarism in the CSR policy.
This task covers assessment criteria 3.1and 3.2.
A bibliography must be attached.
Task 2
The policy has been produced and has gone out for consultation. There has been some negative feedback from stakeholders. Recommend changes in the form of detailed notes which meet the needs of the following stakeholder groups:
- suppliers
- customers
- employees
environmentcommunity.
This task covers assessment criteria 3.3.
A bibliography must be attached.
Task 3
Write a paper for the senior management team, which assesses the potential impact of these changes in CSR on business performance.
This task covers assessment criteria 3.4
A bibliography must be attached.
Guidelines for assessors
The assignments submitted by students must achieve the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by the assessment criteria for the unit. The suggested evidence listed below is how students can demonstrate that they have met the required standard
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Corporate social responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is the continuous commitment by business organizations to carry out their operations ethically and contribute to economic development. At the same time they can improve the quality of their workforce and families as well as that of the society as a whole. Corporate social responsibility mainly focuses on capacity building for sustainable livelihoods. Corporate social responsibility means companies should respect cultural differences and find business opportunities for employees, the community and the government (Crane & Matten, 2007).
Corporate social responsibility mainly focuses on operating the core business in a socially responsible way that is complementary with the investments and becomes an integral part of wealth creation if managed properly by enhanced competitiveness and maximized wealth creation of business. The companies are expected to integrate the social and environmental concerns in their operations of activities and interact with their stakeholders on a voluntary basis (Burchell, 2008).
Corporate social responsibility enables a better business journey as most consumers would prefer products of an organization that supports and engages in activities that improve the society. Corporate social responsibility also allows the organization to develop and enhance its relationships with the customers, suppliers, and their networks. The organization can get access to numerous business opportunities, which saves money on energy, operation costs and manage risks. It improves business reputation and generates positive publicity through media opportunities as a result of media interest in the ethical business environment. It provides an avenue for investment and funding opportunities from the stakeholders (Blowfield, 2008).
Nike is an example of the various organizations that have benefited from corporate social responsibility policies. It has racked up accolades in the last ten years despite the fact that it was facing boycotts and public ire in the 1990s. Its policy being detailed on issues of pay scales and working conditions in its factories. The tide turned when the company acknowledged its issues, demonstrated transparency and worked towards change. Today, the company makes it to the list of CSR leaders.
The policy must focus on enhancing the company’s relation with suppliers and customers, provide a favourable working condition for employees, ensure it enables an ethical business environment and transform the livelihood of the society around (Burchell, 2008). Companies tend to favour suppliers with responsible policies. This is due to the positive impact on how their customers view the company. Some clients may not just prefer dealing with responsible companies but instead, make it their priority. In reducing emissions, waste not only helps the environment but also saves cost for the enterprise. It is easier to recruit employees in an organization with good social reputation (Blowfield, 2008).
Bibliography
Blowfield, M. a. (2008). Corporate responsibility: a critical introduction. Oxford Press.
Burchell, J. (2008). The corporate social responsibility reader: context and perspectives. Routledge.
Crane, A., & Matten, D. a. (2007). Corporaate social responsibility readings and cases in a global context. Routledge.