Approaches to CSR in Business

This assignment explores the sustainable approach to business strategy and management, focusing on Tesco. It also analyzes the different approaches to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in micro, SME, and corporate businesses. The obstructive, defensive, accommodating, and proactive approaches to CSR are discussed, highlighting the importance of social accountability and ethical considerations in business operations.

Foundations of
Business
Communication

Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
Explanation of a sustainable approach to business strategy and management............................1
Analysis of different approaches to CSR of Micro, SME and Corporate business.....................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................9
Reflection.....................................................................................................................................9
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Communication is an activity and process of transferring and sharing one’s ideas and
thoughts to another so that other person also with individual’s views. Business communication is
a procedure of sharing information between individual within a company that is performed for
the commercial advantage of the firm. For making effective communication business
organisations use divers communication channels including meeting, letters, memos, radio,
television, word of mouth and internet etc. This assignment is based on Tesco which is a British
international retail sector company and operates its business with groceries and general
merchandise commodities (López-Cálix, 2020). This venture was incorporated in 1919 by Jack
Cohen. This written document will cover information about a sustainable approach to business
strategy and management. Further, will define about different approaches to CSR of Micro, SME
and Corporate business. Moreover, a reflection will define over communication skill, problem
solving and many other skills.
PART 1
Explanation of a sustainable approach to business strategy and management
Sustainable approach refers to a holistic approach that considers ecological, social and
economic dimensions, recognising that all must be considered together to identify lasting success
and development. There are different sustainable approach are used by a company in term of
business strategy and management. So that they can devise their business sustainable in specific
industry and competitive business environment. The approaches and business strategy are crucial
to run a business ethically and sustainable manner. Several ventures make claims about their
sustainability or corporate social responsibility, but without having and using efficient strategy
they are unlikely to share the gains that are able to offer more sustainable execution (Dwyer and
Hopwood, 2019). There are different sustainable business plan of action which can be consider
by a firm for its sustainable and ethical business operations. The description of some example of
them as under:
Recognising the strategic context- For running the business in effective manner an
organisation like Tesco should appropriately understanding the international and local
sustainability complexities that could influence the venture. The management of enterprise make
concentration of the priority issues that are needed administration. With the help of this strategic
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option the firm will deal with its basic issues and management its business functions in term of
sustainability.
A clear sustainability vision- The administration of the firm also consider this strategy in
its business for long term sustainability and running business in ethical way (Tye-Murray, 2019).
As per this plan of action, the firm like Tesco should set a vision that is able to provide long term
ambition in reference to relevant environmental, social and economic trends and pressure. Apart
from this company also set time duration to accomplish its set vision, mission and objectives in
appropriate manner.
Communication and reporting- It an effective tool an approach that is also consider
business ventures in their business for their effective and efficient operation in term of ethical
and sustainable manner. By using effective, clear, meaningful and consistent messages, the
management can share important information with the company. It will help making
transparency and employees also aware with each thing which will also assist in effective
running of business. Because when organisation use effective tool of communication and provide
required information to workforce then perform their duties in effective manner and business
also operate in ethical and sustainable way. A firm like Tesco, by demonstrating authenticity,
transparency and process, the company also make clarity in its business to its internal and
external stakeholders. This will contribute in sustainable business operations.
By following this plan of action of sustainable approach the enterprise can consider ethical
and sustainable factors and approaches which help in running business in ethical manner in term
of consider in social and environmental factor of business.
Sustainable management is the communication of business and sustainability. It is the
activity of managing company’s impact on the three base lines like people, plan and profit.
Sustainable administration supports a business’s long term viability as it is preventative rather
than reactive (Lo, 2018). For effective sustainable management the company like Tesco can
assuring acquiescence with environmental rule, researching sustainable policies and proposals,
creating awareness of sustainability programs with the firm and evaluating or reporting the
effectiveness of sustainable initiatives. These all factors will help in sustainable management of
the company so that it can operate in effective and ethical way in specific business industry.
In context of Tesco, the management of this organisation use different business strategies
to operate its business in sustainable and ethical manner. Some of them are defining as under:
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PEST analysis
It is a tool and technique that provide information about the factors and components
which play an effective and important role in growth and development of firm (Duska, Duska
and Kury, 2018). With the assistance of this approach, sustainability and ethical consideration of
the business can also be analysed.
Political factor- This aspect of Tesco is strong because it highly investing in customer
service, supermarkets renovation and open new business units. This help in running its business
sustainable and ethical manner in term of creating employment for people and there are number
of employees making their contribution in success and development of firm.
Economical factor- The respective company offer strong economic benefits to UK. In
spite of the large percent of job opportunities the respective firm provides, Tesco highly invests
in London Stock Exchange and will generate number of employment options. This makes
contribution in sustainable business and operating it in ethical way.
Social factor- The respective organisation offer products and services as per consumer’s
needs and demands. The development of sales of Tesco basically direct by Asia and China which
mentions that the sociability of the firm is high. It means enterprise operates in ethical manner
and high demand of its product refers its long term suitability.
Technological factor- This factor has the most important influence over the execution of
Tesco because the company offer the facility of online shopping and delivery service which help
in boosting their sales extremely.
SWOT analysis
It is a strategic approach that assists in offering information about the business capability,
weaknesses, growth option and risks (Akhtar and et. al., 2018). With assistance of them, the
information about business sustainability and authenticity can be determined.
Strengths- The company manufacture unique commodities and have secured commercial
standing. The management of this firm highly invest in customer service and range of products
help in improving its brand value. Due to operating its business global and international
presence, the sustainable product is high. The enterprise also offer several unique and good
quality product which help in maintaining its ethical factor.
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Weakness- The company as its stores in particular areas which can be the weakness of
firm. But due to offer products though online way and delivery services, the business is
sustainable.
Opportunities- The respective company have a high degree of buying power due to
utilisation of effective technology in its business in term of providing facilities of online
shopping and delivery (Simonson, Zvacek and Smaldino, 2019). Apart from this Tesco mobile
application and global expansion also beneficial for its development. It mentions organisation’s
long term sustainability.
Threats- There is number of organisations which operate their business in retail sector and
create competition for respective company. Rising cost of raw material is another aspect that
generates threats but the organisation does not make compromises in quality of products which
help in maintaining its sustainability and ethical considerations in appropriate manner.
These are some strategic approach in term of business strategy and management that use
by business firms to operate their business ethically and maintain their sustainability.
Analysis of different approaches to CSR of Micro, SME and Corporate business
CSR states corporate social responsibility which a type of international private business self
regulation that main purpose is to contribute to societal goals of philanthropic, activist and
charitable nature by engaging in or supporting volunteering or ethically-oriented activities.
There are four approaches that business take in order to be more accountable. Some business is
obstructive and defensive whereas some are accounting and proactive. The organisations which
consider obstructive approach of CSR, demonstrate far less social accountable in comparison to
those which adopt proactive approach of corporate social responsibility. Some approaches of
CSR are defined as under that can be considered by different types of business venture.
Obstructive- A business enterprise that takes an obstructive attitude regarding corporate
social responsibility efforts to preserve its economical precedence by overcrowding any attempt
that indicates firm’s lack of social accountability (Linde and Erford, 2018). A firm which follow
this approach does not devise CSR effort instead of making profits the most essential aspect of
their business. Corporate business can be considered within this approach because the main
motive of this kind of business is to earn profit and they are lack responsible and consider
corporate soil responsibility. These type of business view as immoral since they may exploit
their workforce, pollute natural lands and deceive consumers. These business less consider social
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issues and by considering social demands they manufacture goods and services with the aim of
earning and gaining more profit. If a company which operate its business globally then it
consider environment laws, government regulation and social needs but highly focus on earning
profit. They also less consider about social issues but trying fulfilling social needs by producing
products and services as per the requirements. When obstructive companies suffered with
particular social demands then reject any illegal behaviour and may even utilise obstacles to
deliberately delay or diverts investigation of their activities.
Defensive- Those firm which take a defensive stance regarding corporate social
responsibility are nor specifically accountable (Sanders and Wood, 2019). The kind of
organisations may consider them neutral and make profits a more essential motive than
executing activities in a social accountable manner. Enterprises with defensive approach make a
point of following the law to make that other cannot take legal action against them. Within this
approach, Small business can be include because they consider all the laws and legislation of
national authorities and they earn profit with a important motive like paying employees and
making any social activity which contributing in social development. For example, an
organisation may generate more waste than necessary but it will remove the wastage in a
legitimate manner rather than dumping it illegally. When company remove waste in legal way
then it will help in creating positive impact over environment.
Accommodating- This approach consider those business venture which indicates that social
responsibility is important and perhaps as essential as making profitability. This kind of business
fulfils all legal requirements and attempt to meet ethical standards. A firm that follow
accommodating approach of corporate social responsibility does not attempt to hide its activities
and remains open about why it consider particular actions. Within this approach micro business
can be considered because they operate their business in effective manner by considering all
legislations and offering products & services as per social needs. The main motive of them
surviving their livelihood rather than earning profits. For instance, it may minimise its creation of
waste, source commodities that are tested on animals and pay its workforce a fair wage and
salary (Miller and Lovler, 2018). The origination would maintain its records open to public or
make transparency in its business. Though these kinds of businesses are often socially
accountable, they may modify their policies in response to disapproval.
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Proactive- This approach of CSR are also follow and consider by those business which are
also socially responsible and have the priority of corporate social responsibility. Those
organisations which adopt this approach also cut their profits for performing CSR. This venture
does not react towards criticism, a proactive enterprise efforts to remain ahead of the curve when
it comes to socially accountable. It may make ethics part of its mission and achieve to avoid any
issue and harm to the environment to its workforce (Zacher and Frese, 2018). These ventures
consider charitable firm, trusts and that business which only operating for improving the social
condition and support society. A proactive venture may go out of its approach to introduce new
recycling programs, providing all of its workers a living wage and advantages and donate a
portion of its profits to charity.
The approaches of business firms in context of corporate social responsibility are not similar
because each business performs CSR activity according to them. For example, Obstructive
approach of CSR consider by corporate business whose main purpose is earning profit by
fulfilling its consumers needs by offering commodities as per its target audiences needs. They
are not highly showing their interest in doing work society and social welfare. They have the
main motive and of earning profit by selling their products according to consumers needs. SME
and small business follow defensive approach of CSR because they are not only operating and
executing the business activities and operation for gaining profit. They also work for social
welfare by offering job option to people of community and effectively follow all the laws and
legislation of environment so that the business did not harm environment by creating any
unfavourable impact. Apart from it micro business follow accommodating approach of corporate
social responsibility because the aim of them earning livelihood rather than profit. They also
consider all business, environmental and political law so that there are not be arise any kind of
unfavourable impact over society and environment (Schneckenberg, Velamuri and Comberg,
2019). But the similarity in all approach is that all the businesses which consider these stances of
CSR have a need of profit in expected limit so that they can pay their employees and surviving in
business sector.
The management of a company can also measure the impact of CSR by connecting the value
of business actions to organisation’s bottom line. For instance, the firm can create a link among
skill developing and lowering training costs, workforce satisfaction and lower turnover rate and
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development in sales directs that maximises revenue. To measure the success of CSR the
organisation can use and consider some options that are as under:
 The firm can benchmark the business against other and evaluate execution and set
targets.
 By utilising performance measurement tools like key performance indicators to
evaluate environmental execution (Oswal and Palmer, 2018).
 Utilise the community mark standard or evaluate the involvement of company in
community.
These all strategies will help in evaluating the engagement of different business ventures
towards corporate social responsibility.
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PART 2
Reflection
The areas i intend to cover in this reflection report for facilitating growth and for
understanding the areas that require to be improved in my learning, the level of development of
key transferable skills. I spend my lot of time in classroom and sessions that play an important
role in term of developing and improving my competencies and knowledge. Due to attend proper
classroom sessions i make improvement in my learning and thinking ability. So now, when i
make discussion with any one, i effectively listen the person then carry on the conversation by
sharing appropriate answers and ideas. I attend all session which help me in developing my
communication skills. I also ask regarding any topic which raise in session i am not aware with it
this will help me in removing hesitation and enlarging my verbal communication. When teacher
allotted any assignments, reports and presentation individual and in team then i make my
effective involvelement within it’s so that i can provide my appropriate contribution. This kind o
activities help in improving my written communication as before starting the work, all team
members divide the work in small parts so that each people make relevant participation and
complete the work on time. This will help in completing project on time and providing change of
improving communication skill of each person.
With the help of effective communication skill i design good report and presentation. Due
to have effective communication i present my ideas and views to others. This helps me to
recognise the importance of all factors of communication both verbal and non-verbal like body
language, tough, facial expression and eye contact. With the help of effective presentation skills i
can present my thoughts and views in front of disable people through body languages. It has
shown me how effective non verbal communication can be in expressing meaning. When i was
perform a presentation, report and assignment then with the help of time management and
management skills i segregate my work in small sections and parts the prioritise them. That
important work can be completed first and all the work also in set time frame. This helps me in
managing my work and i submit my report and assignments on time. When i was performed in
group and team for accomplishing the task of a assignments and report then with the help of
effective problem solving skills i help in solving the issues that arise within group. By sharing all
the information which is necessary to all team mates and making open communication i deal
with these kinds of complexities. Due to making assignments and report i also improve my
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written communication skills. In previous days when i do several grammatical mistakes related
to punctuation and spelling. But due to forming reports and assignments on continue basis now i
developed my written communication which positively influence my personal growth and
development.
I also make effective participation in seminar and sessions activities which help in
improving my numeracy. Most of the assignments and reports are writes over MS word which
helps in developing knowledge and learning by offering information about computer systems. It
not provides information about Microsoft Office apart from different technologies and software
which can be used to design an effective report which can be able to attract people. Different
emplobility skills like problem solving, verbal communication, written communication,
adaptability, collaboration, resource management, organisational skills, technology and certain
personality traits also make development in my skills and enhancing knowledge. I use all my
skill before framing a report. With the help of resource management skill, i manage all needed
attributes and resource that are necessary to collect information for designing an assignment like
laptop or computer systems. Books of a particular subject, internet, papers etc. With the help of
effective organisational skills, i organise my work in correct manner such firstly complete
prioritise task of report then complete one by one in organisable manner.
I believe the best way of learning is to become an autonomous learner which in itself needs
good communication competencies and discipline. During in course, i have developed good time
management skills, especially for meeting last dates of submission of assignments and for
combining studying for domestic demands. Accessing the internet and utilising the electronic
searching method is a bit hard but it became clearer with the assistance of the IT workshop. It
also assisted highly when searching articles required for annoyed bibliography assignment.
Having to do presentations as other appropriate mode of learning as it offers an growth option to
research the topic and then perform in team, I designed a research presentation an i knew little
about the factors that would make the kind of presentation successful. My classroom, sessions,
seminars and presentation experience help me in improving my skills or competencies and
enhancing my knowledge or learning effective and appropriate manner.
CONCLUSION
This has been summarised form the above information that business communication is an
act of making transparency in the business of a firm by sharing information about business
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activities and operation to employees and stakeholder of venture. There is diffenrt business
strategies that can be adopt by a firm for the effective business operation. These business
strategies also essential for sustainability and ethical running of business in a particular business
industry. Effective business management also assist in sustainability of organisation. Different
corporate social responsibility also helps in analysing and determining different business venture
and their social accountability. By adopting performance management tools and techniques a
business firm can measure its CSR strategies and involvement in social activities.
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REFERENCES
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