Business, Society and the Planet

Running head: BUSINESS, SOCIETY AND THE PLANET
Business, Society and the Planet
Name of student
Name of University
Author note

1BUSINESS, SOCIETY AND THE PLANET
Table of Contents
Description of two companies and business activities...............................................................3
Difference between the ranges of issues within the social reports.............................................3
Sustainable Development Goals for these two companies in India and Australia.....................4
Quality of social accounting approach.......................................................................................4
Reflecting the values..................................................................................................................5
Ideas and concepts that influence own thinking and conclusions..............................................6
References..................................................................................................................................6

2BUSINESS, SOCIETY AND THE PLANET
Description of two companies and business activities
As stated in the report, the company is similar, though operating in two different
countries, i.e., in India and Australia. Vodafone India is one of the biggest
telecommunications services in India with a market share of 21 percent and 223 million
subscribers. It is a subsidiary of Vodafone Group Plc and core business activities include
network infrastructure management to connect customers and providing them mobile and
fixed voice services, messaging and data services as well. The supply chain management
consists of IT services and emphasis on research and development has helped in technology
analysis and a perfect vision responsible for making effective business decisions (Carroll &
Buchholtz, 2014). For Vodafone India, the needs of clients are at the centre of Group’s
actions and distribution of products and services is managed through retail chain, tele sales
and internet along with third party service provides, IT resellers, etc., mainly considered as
indirect distribution channels.
Vodafone Australia or Vodafone Hutchison Australia is considered as one of the
largest telecommunications company and provider of Internet services. The merging between
Vodafone and Hutchinson has made it the third largest mobile services’ provider in Australia
with 19 percent market share and approximately over 5.8 million subscribers. The broadband
services and constant initiatives undertaken to meet the clients’ needs and at the same time,
focusing on the social responsibilities have created a strong and positive brand image (Gray,
Adams & Owen, 2014). Vodafone Australia also focused on management of diversity,
equality and providing opportunities to people for the creation of an inclusive environment
and stayed ahead in the competitive business environment too. Vodafone, operating in both
India and Australia has focused on social responsibilities to keep environment clean and safe
and conduct business practices sustainably (Wilson & Post 2013).

3BUSINESS, SOCIETY AND THE PLANET
Difference between the ranges of issues within the social reports
Both the companies in India and Australia have recognised their individual roles and
responsibilities to address the major issues and challenges related to health, education,
equality and accessibility. Vodafone India, with the nationwide operations and network has
focused on eradicating poverty and lack of educational facilities accessible by people in rural
areas. There has also been discrimination and inequality among women, which has made the
company focus on managing social and economic empowerment of women and made sure to
provide educational facilities to poor children free of cost (Lawrence & Weber, 2014). The
programmes and initiatives undertaken by the company promoted gender equality and
supported formation of various scopes to empower women and provide them financial
support too. Vodafone India managed charities by launching schools for poor people and
allowed them to gain free access to educational materials while more than 3 lakh trees are
planted all over India to increase the forest cover by 300 hectares of land in Kanha, MP
(Dyllick & Muff 2016). With the Billion Tree Campaign, the trees are planted to improve
Wildlife corridor between Kanha and Pench wildlife sanctuaries to preserve the ecological
balance in environment through offset of 33 million kg of carbon footprints along with
creation of livelihood opportunities for local people as well.
Vodafone Australia, on the other hand dealt with issues like rash driving, drink and
drive, cyber security issues, high percentage of carbon emissions, etc., as stated in the social
reports. The company has implemented sustainability strategies to monitor the usage of
energy annually and reported on the carbon emissions. To overcome this kind of issue, the
smart meters arte installed on the mobile networks in Australia to gain better understanding
of energy usage and manage it wisely while on the other hand, Vodafone Australia made sure
to plant more trees for reducing the emissions of carbon and maintain a safe and healthy
environment (Doppelt, 2017). Vodafone Australia also has worked with network partners to