Corporate Social Responsibility at Waitrose

This assignment explores Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) at Waitrose. It involves analyzing data from authentic websites and academic sources to understand Waitrose's CSR activities and their impact on stakeholders. The research includes an ethical consideration section outlining the steps taken to ensure responsible research practices. The final section provides recommendations for Waitrose based on the findings, focusing on enhancing brand image, stakeholder relationships, and long-term business growth through CSR initiatives.

Managing successful business

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................3
P1) Aims and Objectives........................................................................................................3
P2) Project Management Plan................................................................................................4
P3)Work Break- down Structure and Gantt Chart.................................................................6
P4) Small Scale Research.......................................................................................................7
P5) Setting research methodology for the project undertaken.............................................11
P6) Presenting recommendations on the basis of the of the outcome of data Analysis.......14
P7)Reflective Statement.......................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Corporate Social Responsibility is that principle element in that various
different business activities run for the purpose of enhancing social welfare. Thus, there are
various function of a firm that are highly impacting over the business environment and it also
impact the environment surrounding. For this reason it is a responsibility of every firm to
make analysis and evaluate the each impact of a firm’s action and decisions are need to be
taken for their own personal benefits. Waitrose offer a wide range of products such as grocery
at high quality standards and keep their prices as per that are affordable by all types of group
people. Therefore, the company wants to improve their projects through adopting project
management techniques. It can be possible through engaging with the most effective and
better strategies. Thus, the company can able to capture a high market share, also gain a
customer base as well as deliver an extra value to the business performance. They adopting
the recruitment approach for other firms that can be called as an outsourcing company. Thus,
it any kind of negligence is irresponsibility can directly affecting the goals of a project and it
also gives the bad impact on the corporate image. Apart from this, there is becomes necessary
for the company to evaluating and analyzing the roles and affects of CSR activities on the
business functions.
P1) Aims and Objectives
There are various Aims and objective of research project that assist in adopting an
approach regard to better and effective project management.
Aim:
The main aim of these research report is that it shows the information regard to
various techniques that assist the Company to implementing the CSR activities which is a
main part of firm’s business procedure.
Objectives:
 To understand the importance of corporate social responsibility To identifying the various types of ways through which Corporate Social
Responsibility can be incorporated with the Waitrose. To evaluating the various roles of CSR Activities in the firms activities.

Research Questions:
Research Questions are the main sources that assist the company to understanding the
major principles of the research topic under which research are to be conducted. There are
various types of questions that help in measuring the research methodology are used to
conduct the research and understand the analysis in most effective manner. Thus, formulating
the research questions are needed to carry out the further research study to achieve the
objectives in desired manner.
 What are the main basic principles of CSR activities?
 Describe how the corporate social responsibility is the most significance for the
Waitrose Company?
 Suggesting the various ways that helps company to add the CSR activities?
 What are main role plays for CSR activities in the Company?
At the ending of the research study it becomes a more easy to understanding the various types
of CSR activities at that time when the it is implemented the strategies of company.
P2) Project Management Plan
Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Explain the research project 94 days Tues
3/28/17
Fri 8/6/17
Scheduling 24 days Tues
3/28/17
Thu
3/31/17
Adoption the Research Project
Topic
9 days Tues
3/28/17
Fri 3/10/17
Understanding the main research
problem statement
8 days Sun
4/2/17
Sat 3/20/17 3
Determine time frame to allocating
the research resources
7 days Sun
4/9/17
Thu 3/30/17 4
Implementation Research Plan 61 days Wed
4/19/17
Fri 6/23/17
Finishing the LR Literature
Review section
19 days Mon
5/8/17
Fri 4/21/17 5
Choose the appropriate technique
to carry out the research
15 days Tues Mon 7

methodology 5/23/17 5/17/17
Determine costs 10 days Fri
6/2/17
Fri 5/26/17 8
Data interpretation 17 days Mon
6/19/17
Fri 6/23/17 9
Assessing finding and outcomes 11 days Fri
6/30/17
Mon
6/12/17
9
Finished Project 18 days Tue
7/18/17
Thu 7/6/17
Conclusion of research project and
specifying the recommendation
7 days Tues
7/25/17
Fri 6/23/17 11
Final submission 10days Fri 8/4/17 Mon 7/4/17 13
1 days Sat
8/5/17
Fri 7/6/17 14
From the above table it has been analyzed from the project management plan that are
used to conducting the research project effectively. Thus, this plan assists the researcher to
effectively controlling the various segments of research topic. Form, the overall research
project plan has been categorized into various segments. It can be further divided into section
within the time frame that shows the deadline of project which ignored the confusion.
Therefore, there are different parameters regards to research project topic that has been
evaluating under the project management plan.
Time: The overall time schedule in entire project are to be taken for a 124 day under
this it helps in overcoming from barriers. It can be occur during the execution of project that
helps in at the time of inefficient time management.
Scope: It is an integral part of the project management plan that helps the project
manager to carry out various activities under projects as per the deadlines.
Costs: There entire projects occur a less amount of cost that are majorly includes
presentation and production cost. It has been analysis that CSR activities which are
incorporated with the firm can able to reduce the overall Cost of production under the
research project.
Quality: To attain the objectives that are set up under the project that are required a
high quality as well as reliable source of information under the research project. It is most

important that under the qualitative research there is need of validate and reliable quality that
leads to increase effectiveness at the time of conclusion and recommendation.
Risk: The project management plan helps in reducing the overall cost as it includes
proper distribution of time that minimizing the overall risk in most effective manner. Thus, it
also helps the researcher to allocating the adequate amount of resources and develop a
research methodologies which reduce overall risk.
Resources: There is a requirement of resources to carry out the research project in
most effective manner that leads to enhance productivity and profitability. The project
management plan assists in proper distribution of resources that meets the project objectives.
P3)Work Break- down Structure and Gantt Chart
After completion of project management planning process as Gantt Chart has
been prepared in that there is work breakdown structure are needs to be present in detail. It
evaluating all the various types of activities that are consist in the particular research project.
Thus, in the overall project plan there has been interpretation of data in the tabular form and

chart which are to presenting into various tasks at stipulated time frame. Thus, under this
work breakdown structure and Gantt Chart is assist in implementing the overall research
project that make them more efficient.
P4) Small Scale Research
To carry out the small scale research for which there are two types of research are the
qualitative and quantitative. The Waitrose Company adopts the quantitative method for which
they get information by asking questions from the 20 employees through distribution of
questionnaire.
Theme 1: Waitrose company are working with the CSR activities
Do you think that the Waitrose company are working with the CSR
activities
Response
Yes 12
No 5
Don’t know 3
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
Yes
No
Don’t know
Interpretation: From the above data and analysis it has been analysis that there is a highest
number of respondets are 12 are agree that the Waitrose Company carry out their activities
with the CSR. Therefore, other 5 respondents are not agreed they think that the Waitrose
Company does not carry out the CSR activities.
Theme 2: CSR activities expanding the business affects and profits margin

Do you think that CSR activities expanding the business affects and
profits margin
Response
Yes 9
No 6
Don’t know 5
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Yes
No
Don’t know
Interpretation:
From the above data and analysis in which its shows that the highest respondents are
9 among the 20 respondents are agree with that CSR activities helps in expanding the
business affects and profits margin. Therefore, it has been also analysed that 6 respondents
are not agree with that they think that CSR activities does not assist in expanding the business
affects and profits margin and other remaining 5 are neutral they does not know anything.
Theme 3: CSR elements
What are the main elements of CSR activities? Response
Environmental aspects 4
Ethical aspects 0
Including interests of stakeholders in decisions. 3
All of the above 13

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Environmental concerns
Working with ethical
aspects
Involving interests of
stakeholders in
decisions.
All of the above
Interpretation:
From the above data and analysis it has been analysed from the 20 respondents in
which most of the highest 13 respondents says that they think all the elements are needs to be
taken are the environment aspects, ethical aspects and also including stakeholder in decisions.
Furthermore, 4 respondents say the most important element is a environmental concerns and
other remaining 3 respondent think there is an involvement of stakeholders in a decision
making process are the main elements are comprises under the CSR activities.
Theme 4: CSR helps Waitrose in attain the competitive advantages with sustainability
Do you think that CSR helps Waitrose in attain the competitive
advantages with sustainability?
Response
Yes 15
No 3
Don’t know 2

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
Yes
No
Don’t know
Interpretation: From the above data and analysis it has been interpreted that the highest 15
respondents think that CSR helps Waitrose in attain the competitive advantages with
sustainability. Beside this, other 3 respondent’s think that CSR does not helps the Waitrose in
attain the competitive advantages with sustainability.
Theme 5: Development of customer share when the business are incorporated with
the CSR activities
Do you think that there is an development of customer share when
the business are incorporated with the CSR activities?
Response
Yes 18
No 2
Don’t know 0

0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
Yes
No
Don’t know
Interpretation: From the above data and analysis it has been interpretation that the highest
number of majority is 18 respondents think that there is an development of customer share
when the business are incorporated with the CSR activities. Thereafter, others 2 respondents
are not agreed they think that there is not an enhancement of customer share when the
business are incorporated with the CSR activities.
P5) Setting research methodology for the project undertaken
To meet the research aim and objective following methodology has been undertaken
by the researcher is enumerated below:
 Research type: In research, types can be classified into two aspects such as qualitative
and quantitative. To carry out the study in suitable direction researcher is required to
select research type by considering the aims and objectives (Mackey and Gass, 2015).
Hence, facts which will be analyzed by scholar to determine solution closely
influence the choice of research type. In qualitative research or investigation, scholar
makes assessment of issue with the motive to identify the underlying reasons and
opinions. Further, in quantitative investigation researcher presents solution by
evaluating the numeric facts and figures. Hence, to determine the impact of CSR
activities on growth and success of Waitrose qualitative research type or design has
been selected by the researcher. In this, by evaluating qualitative data regarding CSR
outcome has been presented by the researcher.

 Research approach: In research, approaches can be classified in the form of inductive
and deductive. Hence, research approach is highly based and influenced from the
nature of issues which will be addressed. Under inductive approach, scholar assesses
or evaluates known premises with the motive to generate untested conclusion.
Further, in this generalization moves from specific to the general aspects (Research
approach, 2017). Moreover, in this researcher makes analysis of outcomes and
thereby presents new framework. Such approach of research helps in identifying
suitable solution when qualitative investigation is undertaken. On the other side,
deductive approach is used to evaluate and analyze quantitative data set. In deductive
approach, scholar presents solution by testing hypothesis on the basis of existing
theoretical framework. Hence, by considering all such aspects inductive approach has
been undertaken by the researcher to evaluate the research issue. Hence, by
undertaking such approach scholar can identify the extent to which Waitrose has
attained the desired level of outcome by performing CSR activities.
 Research philosophy: Researcher is required to opt suitable philosophy from
interpretivism and positivism. Both these philosophies are highly based on the nature
or type of investigation (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). Such philosophies are
highly significant which in turn provides direction to the researcher regarding data
collection and analysis technique or aspect. By using interpretivism philosophy
scholar can present solution from qualitative data set. In contrast to this, positivism
philosophy provides assistance to the researcher in determining solution by making
evaluation of actual quantitative data or figures. Hence, with the motive to make
assessment of the Waitrose CSR’s impact on the image and overall performance
interpretivism philosophy has been chosen. Thus, by interpreting the outcome of
survey in accordance with the brief thesis prepared in literature review section
solution of issue has been presented.
 Data collection: Data can be distinguished into two types such as primary and
secondary. Primary data refers to the one that is specifically gathered by the
researcher via survey, interview, focus group, observation etc. Hence, in this
researcher makes best efforts to gather data according to the research issue (Flick,
2015). On the other side, secondary data implies for the already published data set or
studies. Books, journals, scholarly articles and government reports are the major
secondary data sources that help in gaining deeper insight about research topic. In
this, to investigate the impact of CSR activities on the monetary and non-monetary

performance of Waitrose data has been collected by the researcher from both primary
and secondary sources. Survey has been conducted by the researcher on 20 managers
of Waitrose via questionnaire. Further, articles related to CSR and associated impact
has been evaluated by the researcher to prepare brief thesis. Moreover, in the absence
of brief thesis researcher would not become able to analyze data gathered through
survey.
 Sampling: Probabilistic and non-probabilistic are the main two sampling types that
researcher can undertake to select suitable subset from population. Suitable sample
selection is highly required because it has direct impact on the outcome of survey
(Silverman, 2016). In order to evaluate the impact of CSR activities on the success of
Waitrose 20 managers have been selected through purposive sampling technique.
Hence, by using non-probabilistic technique 20 managers have been selected on
which survey will be focused.
 Data analysis: Significance of the study is highly influences from the technique used
for data analysis. Moreover, findings are the vital part of study because to evaluate the
issue research is conducted by the scholar. Techniques for data analysis are highly
varied in accordance with the nature or type of investigations (Vaioleti, 2016). Hence,
thematic perception technique is used by the researcher to analyze qualitative data.
Further, tools of SPSS are highly effectual such as chi-square, T and Z test,
descriptive statistics which in turn helps in measuring or evaluating numeric facts. In
this, to get deeper insight about the impact of CSR activities researcher has conducted
thematic analysis. Hence, by preparing themes on the basis of questionnaire Waitrose
performance has been evaluated.
 Reliability and validity: To maintain the reliability and validity researcher has
gathered data from highly authentic websites. Moreover, authentic websites present
clear and suitable data regarding the concerned topic or issue. In addition to this,
suitable or specific articles have been evaluated by the scholar that is related to
corporate social responsibilities. Hence, by considering such specific data scholar has
assessed the solution of the current issue. In addition to this, by doing references and
citation of suitable sources researcher has maintained reliability to a great extent.
Moreover, properly cited study entails that study and its outcome are highly effectual
as well as reliable.
 Ethical consideration: In order to fulfill the ethical concerns researcher has provided
information to Waitrose retail store and managers selected for the investigation

purpose. Along with this, according to ethical aspects researcher has not disclosed
information in front of others.
 Research limitations: Time and resources are the main limitations that closely
influence the outcome of study. In the present study, research has dealt with the
limitations by using suitable tools and techniques.
P6) Presenting recommendations on the basis of the of the outcome of data Analysis
From the above data analysis it has been concluded that helps the Company to build
brand image in the minds of customers through CSR activities. Under the research study it
has been analyzed that Waitrose helps in maintaining a most significant relationship with the
various types of stakeholders. Therefore, it has been recommended that Waitrose should treat
with the employee in fair and ethical manner through adopting the CSR activities.
Furthermore, it has been also advised that Waitrose have to carry out the long term projects
for the purpose of growing their business units. Apart from this, they also create a number of
job opportunities by the Waitrose due to which there is an increase in the number of
employment rate. Furthermore, the cited Company conducts a vocational training programs
for the purpose of providing social welfare benefits to the society.
P7)Reflective Statement
From the above overall research project regard to corporate social responsibility in
which the scholar has meets the various objectives at a highest extent. Therefore, there are
various type of question has been asked relating to the CSR activities from the respondents
that are an employees of Waitrose. Therefore, my personal contribution under the research
project is that I am able to enhancing and developing my knowledge and skills during the
entire research study. Therefore, I engage with the various software tools regard to project
management plan for the purpose of resolving the issues in the entire research project.
Thereafter, I was contributing at the time of selecting best tool to carry out the research
Methodology. Also, I am able to understand how to use MS-excel at the time of presenting
data table and charts in graphical form presentation in most effective manner.

REFERENCES
Mackey, A. and Gass, S. M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Taylor, S. J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research
methods: A guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
Flick, U., 2015. Introducing research methodology: A beginner's guide to doing a research
project. Sage.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Vaioleti, T. M., 2016. Talanoa research methodology: A developing position on Pacific
research. Waikato Journal of Education. 12(1).
Panneerselvam, R., 2014. Research methodology. PHI Learning Pvt. Ltd..
Online
Research approach. 2017. Online. Available through:
<http://research-methodology.net/research-methodology/research-approach/>. [Accessed on
15th April 2017].