Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics: A Comprehensive Analysis

This paper delves into the multifaceted concept of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its ethical implications. It examines various ethical theories, including utilitarianism and deontology, to analyze the ethical validity of practices like plagiarism and the use of essay mills. The paper further explores the CSR development evidenced by the online gambling industry, utilizing Carroll's model and other relevant frameworks. It identifies key stakeholders involved in fair trade and analyzes their expectations regarding CSR practices. Finally, the paper discusses future trends in CSR, including sustainability and triple bottom line reporting, and reflects on their impact on organizations and the workplace.

Running Head: CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS 1
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS
STUDENT NAME
UNIVERSITY NAME

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND ETHICS 2
Table of contents:
Question 1: Ethical theories and commissioning of student essays...........................................3
Question 2: CSR theories and Online Gambling........................................................................5
Question 3: Stakeholders Issues in fair trade.............................................................................8
Question 4: Personal Impacts and Future trends in CSR.........................................................10
Reference list:...........................................................................................................................12
Appendices:..............................................................................................................................15
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Question 1: Ethical theories and commissioning of student essays
Critical analysis of the theories which can be used for the argument against the purchase of
the essays and the dissertations by the university students
Plagiarism refers to the wrongful appropriation as well as stealing of someone else’s work
and representing them as one’s original work. The practice is very common in the education
sector where the students these days employs a third party for the completion of their essays
and dissertations and submit them as their own work. The essay mills are considered to be
fuelling plagiarism in universities and other colleges in which they allow the customers to use
their original piece of writing that leads to the commitment of an academic fraud as
plagiarism is an academic offence. Using the essay mills papers by the students and
submitting in the name of their own bring unethical controversies where some people view
that essay mills are unethical while some favours it as completely moral. Using the essay
mills for the assignment and dissertations by the students is a form of plagiarism because the
students are taking credit for others works. The story of essay mills plagiarism can be related
to the utilitarianism theory in order to evaluate the ethical validity of the practice (Rogerson,
2018).
One can seem from the University point of view and the other can be seen from the student
point of view. When it is seen from the university point of view it can be used as the term that
they are not able to get the proper assignments and most of the assignments are plagiarised
and thus, they are not able to make the students learn what they are going to learn from the
universities and colleges and other IVY colleges. Therefore, it is one of the most prevalent
and time effective methods for the students in order to complete the assignment. Furthermore,
they are able to get the quality assignment done by the experts and professionals all around
the world.
As per Riley (2010), utilitarianism theory states that best action is the one that maximizes the
utility which can be defined in various ways mostly associated with the wellbeing of the
sentient entities. As per the principles of the theory, morally right action is that action that
produces the most good. Plagiarism does not hold moral ground and philosophical sense but
plays more of utilitarian role within the specific professional sectors. In many of the
industries producing content is a business model with the means of attracting readerships,
subscriptions, and revenue. Plagiarism can be referred as a direct attack on the business
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models. The practice of using the others content at own name harms the integrity of the
publisher content. The use of essay mills by the students are appropriate and moral as per the
theory of utilitarianism as the theory reflect that a person act is morally right in case it
produces good results in the specific situation. Universities consider it cheating while most of
the students rely on these communities in order to get thousands of assignment and essays. If
the same concept is seen from the student point of view it can be seen that the students are
able to get the proper assignment and readymade assignments from the market without hard
work. The amount of study that the study goes through in their college and university life, it
becomes tough for the students that they are able to manage the proper time for completing
the assignments (Crane and Matten, 2018)
The use of essay mills are considered as unethical by many of the educational professionals
but as per the facts by the utilitarianism, the essay mills are not violating the laws and holds
the copyright of the papers and the papers are licensed to be used by the students. In spite of
the students, the mills can make the student legally responsible if the students redistribute the
papers to other without their permission. Hence it can be said that in accordance with the
principles of the utilitarianism theory, the students can use the essay mills for obtaining the
assignments and submit as of their own.
It is also seen that use of essay mills is a new threat to the academic integrity as students
cribbing large pieces of an assignment from the third parties and present as their own. On the
basis of the deontological ethical theories, the morality of the action can be judged based on
the rules. It is due to the fact that rules bind a person to the duty. If the case of the use of
essay mills for obtaining academic assignments and dissertations relates with the deontology
ethical theory then it can be said that the practice of plagiarism by obtaining assignments
from the third parties is absolutely wrong as plagiarism is an offence. This ethical theory
focuses on the rightness and wrongness of a particular action and measures the consequences
on the basis of the actions implemented to bring out the result (Bühler, et. al. 2018).
According to the standards of the theory, the act of using essay mills for the completion of the
assignments given by the universities is a form of cheating despite its positive consequences
for the students. It is due to that one person cannot take create of others work especially if the
work is academic in nature. Also, the writers of many of the essay mills are not well qualified
and do not have graduate degrees so that students should not completely rely on the third
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parties for their assignments. Therefore, it can be analysed that for some part the buying of
the assignment for the university and college assignment from the online sources are
effective, while on the other hand, the students need to keep in mind that they should be able
to study properly and would not rely on the outsources. This can be used as a beneficiary so
that it can help them both in terms of study and also in terms of completing their assignments.
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Question 2: CSR theories and Online Gambling
Using Carroll's model and other CSR model analysis of the CSR development that is
evidenced by the gambling industry
Gambling industry
Today gambling is considered to be an attractive source of income. The outcome is basically
related to the money through the internet. There are many things which include the online
gambling are poker, casino, and lotteries (Moore, 2014). There is an increase in the rise of the
online games and they are forecasted to reach around 51.96 Billion US dollars in the year
2018. The increase is almost double than that in the year 2009. There are more than $20
billion to $60billion users who are being served through the online portals. The increase in
the use of the online sites and the games tend to increase and they are related to the various
parts of the world and they are Canada, Costa Rica and they are able to provide the significant
number of jobs. Some of the countries like the US have prosecuted many of the organizations
for the increase in the online gambling and they are taking the steps so that they are able to
stop the online gambling industry and bring them to halt (Tropicana continues holiday
tradition charitable giving, 2012).
Using the Carroll’s model: level of CSR development that is evidenced by the online
gambling industry is specified underneath:
One of the theories which can be considered in order to understand the market of the online
gambling industry is Carroll’s CSR model
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Figure: Carroll’s CSR Pyramid- the Four Responsibilities
Source: (Gamecare, 2017)
At Philanthropic level: There are many companies and industries that are related to the
support of the charities and they make donations to the charities. One of the examples which
could be considered is the Plilanthropy.com, who makes donations to the charities, and they
carry out lotteries nationwide and they donate the money to the good cause. Some of the
examples of the charities which are being done are that of giving away the money and food to
the people in need of the entertainment (Economy watch, 2018).
At Ethical level: The Responsible gambling is a method which could be used for the
implementation of the theories and they are able to improve the brand image of then casinos
and thus they become the necessity. One of the strategies which could be used is to prohibit
the locals so that they are able to enter the casinos (Gambling Commission, 2011). This is one
of the methods which could be used so that they are able to prevent the spread of the
gambling among the locals and thus sustain the development of the casinos and the gaming
industry. One of the moral codes of the employees of the casino is to implement the
strategies. Thus it will help to increase the growth of the company and the casino brand and
thus increase the level of sustainability in the market. The practice would not only increase
the pride of the employees of the casino but also will enhance the growth of the orientation of
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the employees with proper engagement with the customers and thus increasing the quality of
the services provided at the casinos to the customers (Frontline, 2014).
At Legal level: There are various gaming commissions and one of the gaming commissions
are Massachusetts Gaming commissions which are able to minimize the adverse effect of the
society regardless of the society, associated with the gaming. One of the guiding principles of
the company was to prevent the social and the health issues regarding the people of the
country or the charity which they are serving as an individual (Cass business school, 2018).
At Economic level: There is a significant increase in the growth of the gambling market over
the past few years and this can be seen from the year 2009 and 2015. The market which is
forecasted in the year 2015 is around 37.91 billion dollars and their will some significant
increase in the growth of the market in the year 2020 which is estimated to be 59.79 billion
US dollars. Since there is an increase in the online gaming industry there is a growth in the
increase in the online gambling activity. There are many types of gambling which can be seen
in the market and they are internet gambling and based gambling. They are the same in the
category in case of the online gaming industry (The problem with the gambling new figures
show more people than ever are ruining their lives, 2017). In most parts of the world, it is
hard to estimate the overall market of the online gambling industry by the estimation tends to
bring the most amount of money than most of the other sports in the market (Gamcare, 2018.
Using the Reidenbach and Robin CSR Model: level of CSR development that is
evidenced by the online gambling industry is specified underneath:
I. Amoral: this stage talks about winning at any cost
II. Legalistic: at this stage, all the rules and regulations are followed
III. Responsive: at this stage, evaluations are made regarding the gains that can be made by
following ethical behaviours
IV. Emerging ethical: at this stage, active interest is taken in the ethical issues
V. Ethical cos: it is a balanced stage where a balance is kept between ethics and profits
Milton Friedman’s viewpoint:
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From the Milton Friedman’s point of view, today in the 21st-century casinos and the gaming
industry are on the edge and if they are not able to perform effectively and efficiently .in such
cases the company will not be able to survive the market. Therefore, it is the priorities of the
online gambling industry to implement the CSR. Not following CSR measures results in a
poor image of the casinos which are operating all across the countries. Taking the examples
of the casinos in Korea one of the key rules that they follow is that they allow both the locals
as well as the foreigners of various parts of the world. While on the other hand when it comes
to the other casinos operating in various parts of the world they are not allowing the local
communities to enter the casino but they allow all the foreigners. This is one of the proper
examples which could be considered for the implementation of the strategies and CSR
(Sedghi, 2013).
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Question 3: Stakeholders Issues in fair trade
Identification of the internal and the external stakeholders who are involved in the trade fair
and explain that’s with the use of stakeholders maps Explanation of the stakeholder's maps
using the relevant theories. Evaluation of the different expectations of the key stakeholders in
relation to the CSR
Fair-trade:
Fair-trade is the term which can be used to describe the method used for growing the things
for the people that they love. Other than that it is also the method which could be used so that
they are able to change the way of the market with the better and effective market prices and
having the decent working conditions (Wydick, 2016). This can be done with the fair trade
with the help of the farmers and workers of most of the developing countries. It is a method
which is being used so that the companies are able to buy the products and with the help of
the farmers they are able to grow the market and provide a strategy for the work of the
individual companies and have their own standards of work. This is an effective process for
raising the awareness among the public and the people of the country (Morrison, S., 2012).
Other than that it is the fair trade who works with the local farmers and they are able to
provide the farmers with the proper level of food and lives that they desire to live along with
that they are also provided with the health and education for their children.
Internal and external stakeholders who are involved in the fair trade are:
Internal stakeholders: the internal stakeholders of the company are the managers. Managers
are one of the most important stakeholders of the fair trade. They work with the groups so
that they can maximize the interest of the stakeholder’s. Other than that when it comes to the
internal stakeholders of the company then there are two parts which can be considered are the
employees of the company and the managers of the company. They are the two main
stakeholders of the company who are effective in managing the growth of the fair trade in
then. The stakeholders are the most and important part of the organization and most of the
operations which are being carried out for the fair trade are done by the stakeholders of the
company (Shahzad and Sillanpaa, 2013).
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External stakeholders: External stakeholders are also considered to be the important
stakeholders of the company and generally they consist of government, competitors,
suppliers, civil society, customers, and shareholders.
Stakeholder mapping to plot their relative importance
Figure: Stakeholder map
Source: (Anon, 2018).
Purpose of a stakeholder map
Using BSR five approaches to stakeholder management, the purpose of stakeholder mapping
is to divide the responsibilities among the internal and external stakeholders. There are
various responsibilities of the stakeholders which can be considered to be important. One of
the most important responsibilities of the stakeholder is economic responsibilities. The main
focus of the economic responsibilities is to take care of all the economic affairs of the trade
fair. The main reason as to why most of the task and the responsibilities of the fair trade are
carried out by the stakeholder’s s that of the fact that they are the considered and
characterized as the major players of the society (Shahzad and Sillanpaa, 2013)
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Different expectations of key stakeholders in relation to CSR practices
When it comes to the CSR practice there are various stakeholders who are take active
participation in implantation of CSR. Different expectations of the stakeholders in relation to
CR are:
1. Local community or society ( aims for welfare and social security )
2. International committee and corporates (aims for profits and charity)
3. Government (working for the betterment of the old age and vulnerable people.
Stakeholders are the ones who are responsible for the effective growth and the development
of the developing nation and proper working of the fair trade in the long run. The fair trade is
the medium so that they are able to help in the growth and the development of the nations and
also bring peace and harmony to most of the developing nations. One of the best things about
the fair trade-off is that the price of the items and the food that they grow does not change
throughout the season (Wydick, 2016). According to Tony Mathew between the year 1992
and the year 2006, the price of the cashews has significantly changed over the past few years
that the price of the cashews as per the market price has increased and they are keeping the
price of the products the same as always. Within that, there is also a 75% of the subsidy
which is involved in the following trade and they are able to get certified for the following.
The fair-trade is the brand which promotes itself and they are prominent in most of the
schools and market. However, the fair trade is the marketing and not the education schemes.
They are a part of the community who is offering fair-trade for the good circumstances but
they are not able to deserve the unique status which they claim for themselves (Fairtrade
international, 2018).
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Question 4: Personal Impacts and Future trends in CSR
Identification of the range of future trends in CSR and justifying why you feel these are
significant. Then reflect on how these trends will impact the organizations and also in the
future, and also how they will impact the workplace in the future
The range of possible future trends in CSR is specified underneath:
Focus on sustainability: Today with the increase in the business and the competition in the
market there is a significant change in the responsibilities of the environment. The companies
are offering and getting into more of the advanced technologies and methodologies other than
Carroll's Pyramid. One of the methods which the company is using is the three-sphere of the
sustainability.
Figure 2: The three spheres of sustainability
The three spheres of the sustainability are one of the most effective methods which could be
used so that the companies are able better results in terms of sustainability and growth of the
companies. The three spheres of sustainability mainly work in the three sectors of the
company that is the environment, social and economic parts of the company. Other than that
it also mentions other parts of the company that is social environmental, environmental-
economic and economic social of the company.
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Triple bottom line reporting: They are the reports which analyses the social, environmental
and the economic parts of the performance of the company.
Figure: Triple bottom line reporting
Significance of future trends in CSR:
In the contemporary world, the future of the implementation and the use of the CSR are more
significant. The companies will be able to earn more profits by following these future trends
in CSR. . In addition to this, the company will be able to earn global reputation and can save
itself from numerous legal costs. Future, the companies will be able to accomplish their goals
and objective effectively and efficiently.
These trends will affect organisations in future and my future in the workplace
I am currently working for a multinational company. Before implementing CSR or adopting
the new trends in CSR the main motive of my company was to earn profit but now my
company is more inclined towards social welfare programmes, charity and follow
environmental guidelines. All the members of the organization are considered to be the
partners who can improve their efforts with the increase in the training and. After all the
learning and training that I received, I will be able new CSR strategies my future in the
workplace will be more focused towards protecting the environment. I will work in an ethical
manner and will not only think about profit but will also try to fulfill my social obligations.
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Reference list:
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Watch. Available at: http://www.economywatch.com/world-industries/casino/online-
gambling-industry.html Accessed on: 3 May 2018
 Fairtrade international (2018). Strengthening workers' voices through Fairtrade, the labour
movement and socially engaged companies. Fairtrade International (FLO): Fairtrade
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Mediengestaltung, pp.2–11
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May 03, 2018
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 Gambling commission, (2018). We license and regulate the people and businesses that
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 Gamcare, (2018). Welcome to GamCare. GamCare - the UK's national organisation for
gambling problem help | GamCare. Available at: http://www.gamcare.org.uk Accessed
on: 3 May 2018
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 MacErlean, N., (2012). The problem with gambling: New figures show more people than
ever are ruining their lives The Independent. Available at:
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figures-show-more-people-than-ever-are-ruining-their-lives-7942230.html Accessed on:
May 2018
 Moore, C., (2014). Online Gambling Site Aims to Make Charities the Winners. The
Chronicle of Philanthropy. Available at: https://www.philanthropy.com/article/Online-
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 Morrison, S., (2012). Fairtrade: Is it really fair? The Independent. Available at:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/politics/fairtrade-is-it-really-fair-7717624.html
Accessed on: 3 May 2018
 Riley, J., (2010). Mill’s extraordinary utilitarian moral theory. Politics, Philosophy &
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 Sedghi, A., (2013). Gambling: key statistics from the Health Survey for England. The
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 Wydick, B. (2016). 10 Reasons Fair-Trade Coffee Doesn't Work. [online] The Huffington
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Appendices:
Appendix 1:
Figure 3: Stakeholders map
Appendix 2:
Figure 4: Carroll’s pyramid
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