Sustainable Approach to Business Strategy and Management

This report discusses the sustainable approach to business strategy and management, focusing on TESCO as a case study. It explores different approaches to CSR for micro, corporate, and SME businesses and ways to measure success in CSR strategies. The report also includes a reflection on the skills developed during the module.

INDIVIDUAL REPORT AND REFLECTION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................................................3
Sustainable approach to business strategy and management..............................................................3
Different Approaches to CSR of micro, Corporate business and SME..............................................4
REFLECTION REPORT......................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES....................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Corporate social responsibility is a administration concept whereby firms integrate
environmental and social concerns in interactions with their stakeholders and business
operations, the aim of CSR is to cater positive and beneficial social value. The current study
is based on TESCO, is one of the biggest grocery provider retailer in UK. This report defines
the explanation of sustainable approach used to operate business management and strategy. It
also explains strategies that companies can use to operate in a sustainable and ethical way.
Furthermore, this study justified, different approaches to CSR of Corporate business, Micro
and SME and also explains differences between them. Ways to measure success in CSR
strategies also clarified in this study. All the above information will be mentioned in part 1. In
context of Part 2, it explains reflective report based on key skills development in all or any of
areas discussed below.
Sustainable approach to business strategy and management
Sustainability is a holistic approach that considers social, environmental and
economic dimension, considering that all must be considered together to find final prosperity.
Sustainable approach is especially use to manage and improve business strategies as well as
management practices rather than fast few years. it means that strategy is executed and
formed so that requirements of companies and their stakeholders are met, while sustaining,
protecting and enhancing natural resources that will be required in the future. Many
organizations are using strategies regarding environmental sustainability in order to gain
competitive advantages and sustain within specific sector for longer period which is quite
beneficial for them. For example, TESCO use sustainable strategy in sustainable and ethical
manner, to satisfy their consumers as well as other stakeholders such as government &
business investors (Alam and Raut-Roy, 2019). Sustainable progress is one of the trust of
company, they work more towards sustainability as result it increase their profitability and
productivity level rather than before. Every little help put a big differences, it is the core
value of firm. It moves what they do every day for its employees around the world, in
thousand of communities where company operates their business and for billion of consumer
they serve. In context of sustainable strategy, TESCO can make biggest contribution towards
sustainable business, by centering on workers, their products and places, these are the three
pillars of little helps plan. Underpinning these pillars is a range of areas where they remain
committed to conduct right things in ethical way, that they can call business foundation and

cover essential problems such as health & safety, carbon reduction, anti-bribery and cyber
security. The strategy is driving organization to create a place where staff can get on,
whatever their background: to support consumers make healthier choices and enjoy improved
or better quality, sustainable goods, at reasonable prices, to assure no eating item that could
be eaten is wasted, to reduce environmental affect on TESCO product packaging and help
people they serve. Other businesses also use sustainable approach to business management
and strategy. For example, Sainsbury to grow their business sustainability, cutting carbon
footprint, increasing water and energy efficiency as well as keeping foods waster at minimum
right across their value chain. they are committed to reduce carbon emission and invest in low
carbon technologies in order to keep sustainable business practices.
Different Approaches to CSR of micro, Corporate business and SME
Micro business refers to such business which is carried by less than 10 employees and
such business is having the annual sales and values of around $250,000. Thus, in respect of
adapting various CSR activities regarding enhancing the reputation and brand image of the
business results in adapting various approaches such as:
Community Approach: This approach is mainly undertaken in respect of protecting
the society or community through the organizing various events which results in spreading
positive news around the society (François, Bayle and Gond, 2019). Thus, micro business can
use the CSR approaches regarding not availing the use of child labors or also taking any strict
action against such person which are appointing the child labor to work in that place. Thus,
they can support CSR through this procedure by stopping the child labor. They can also
support environment in respect of providing the quality products which results in securing the
health and safety of workers.
Philanthropic Approach: This is mainly undertaken in respect of contributing soma
amount of money in the charity and in respect of micro business, they are carrying the
business in small capital. Thus, it is difficult for them to contribute such amount and thus
their contribution is done in respect of paying fair wages to their employees. It carried to be
one of the major approaches which is resulting in contributing to the CSR (Gond and et.al.,
2017). It is necessary for every business to contribute to small amount of values in the form
of CSR and thus, they decided not to discriminate between any person on the bases of caste,
sex, culture, region and religion. In another perspective, the contribution is also done on the
bases of reducing waste in the business (Strategies of CSR in Business, 2020). As in respect

of micro business, the chances of waste is higher, than contribution is done regarding
reducing waste or also undertaking the procedure of reusing the waste products to deliver the
best quality products to the customers.
Creating Shared value approach: This approach is mainly undertaken in respect of
enhancing the value through increasing the brand image of the business. This is mainly
undertaken in respect of contributing to education or creating or grabbing the opportunities to
enhance the business for longer terms. Thus, in this aspects, micro business can enhances
such procedure by helping the people or workers children to contribute some amount of
money for their education or providing other monetary benefits. It is tough to retain the loyal
employees in micro business or also sustain their interest towards the work for longer way
(Gond and Moser, 2019). Thus, results in providing basic help which results in building trust
among them and also increasing the brand value through getting the loyal employees at work
place. The impact is not raised regarding retiring any person if they are not capable to attain
such task. Thus, in such manner adequate opportunity is given in respect of handling such
work which not required any physical movement (Khattak and et.al., 2019). Thus, through
these aspects, contribution can be done through increasing the brand image of the company.
Approaches to CSR of SME-
SME is a small or medium sized firm, with fewer than 250 workers they operate and
manage enterprise activities within marker place. In order to sustain in specific sector and
increase maximum profit, SME develop or follow different CSR approaches.
Public relations approaches-
SME’s by using different corporate social responsibility approaches sustain within
market place for long period. It is one of the best approaches utilized by them to strengthen
their business position and enhance consumer’s relationship with small or medium size
enterprises. In this approach public relations specialist use set objectives and factual info to
educate people about their customers (Moneva and Hernández-Pajares, 2018). In context of
CSR, SME use this method to enhance their connections with target market rather than
before. It helps to deliver greater value to customers and assure that enterprise remain viable
over time. With the help of creating vibrant public relation promotions, PR specialist help
firm to drive towards sustainability.
Cogent Path approach-

Cogent global CSR rules is considered with intent of developing synergistic
interventions and results through corporate social responsibility actions globally. With the
help of this approach, SME can retain their consumers with business for longer and keep
sustainable in market. It helps to develop policies and structure business practices that are
suitable for environmental and social benefits.
Defensive approach-
This kind of CSR approach is not appalling as other approaches, but a firm taking
defensive method could certainly do better at meeting their CSR and social accountability. A
organization that uses this approach is assure to follow law or legal rules so that legal
activities cannot be taken against it. It is designed to reduce risk of loss and increase practices
in context of sustainability. According to this approach, CSR and responsibility practices
which are usually limited are conducted only when it will be shown that shareholder value
will be secured as a outcome.
Approaches to CSR of Corporate business-
Corporate business is a form of enterprises operation that declares firm as a separate,
legal group guided by a team of officers known as board of directors. There are some
approaches used by them to conduct CSR practices within business.
Societal approach of CSR-
It denotes that companies have accountabilities for protection and promotion of all
relevant political, social, legal, environmental and cultural rights of those who are within their
sphere of affect. With this approach, corporate business effectively contributes to building
and creating better societies. It considered as useful approach, it has several practical
applications. It is used to guide people that they can better comprehend need to be more
assertive. It aid management to understand that individual behavior may change when their
situations modified. By understanding these things, corporate business caters their services or
products accordingly.
Environmental approach-
It refer to the direction is social work; emphasize reciprocal and adaptive interaction
of people with their environment. It is the approach that cater inputs to postulate of individual
environment, program as initial basis for identifying subject of psychological investigation

and also for explanation into psychological dictionary of concept of habitat as set of
environmental changes that are in complementarily connected to important needs. with the
help of this approach corporate business can identify the needs of consumer and stakeholders
regarding environmental sustainability and then they make changes within business practices
accordingly. It help to make the able to change or shape organizational structure in context of
CSR which is quite beneficial for environment.
Are CSR approaches different or similar-
From above analysis, it has been identified that Micro, SME and corporate business
used different types of CSR approaches which are similar on the base of aims and motive that
drive towards environmental sustainability as well as social. The purpose of all above
approaches is to improve businesses practices rather than before and move companies
towards conducting CSR practices. But one the other hand, these approaches are different
from each other in the basis of implementation. Many companies are using different
approaches to strategies corporate social responsibility depending on their business and
organizational culture or environment. It can be said with the help of appropriate example,
like community approach is used to protect community or society from harm by conducting
effective practices (Colovic and et.al., 2019). This approach makes firms able to have
positive affect in community and supports people value result. On the other hand,
Philanthropic approach is used for increasing profit to give for a good cost such as charity. It
helps companies to strengthen their brand image, by offering better services to local people
through donating funds, services and products.
Ways to measure success in CSR strategies-
By using different tools or methods, it is very easy for organizations to measure
success in their corporate social responsibilities strategies. Benchmarking is one of the best
ways to measure CSR strategies success. It consider as practice of comparing business
performances and procedures metrics to sector best practice from other organizations (Song,
Ren and Yu, 2019). With the help of comparing own business practices and growth after
implementing CSR strategy, with another companies, it is easy for enterprises to measure
success in effective and ethical manner. It is the procedure of measuring performance and
progress of business against those of another companies considered to be the best in specific
industry. This method permit companies to gain an independent perspective about how well
they perform compared to other organizations after apply corporate social responsibilities.

Another method used to measure success and progress in CSR strategies it business
analysis. By conducting internal business analysis, management is able to determine the
success and effectiveness of CSR strategies as they can determine how many people or
consumers drive towards purchasing their products or services as compared to their
competitors in same sector.
REFLECTION REPORT
By compiling Kolb’s Learning cycle, I reflect different skill which has developed by me
while carry out module for an University.
Concrete experience:
Carrying out assessment in University has taken me through variety of different task
this has drive many different type of experience for me. When I was performing different task
of assessment I was so excited as it was the first time I was conducting any such type of
project in University. At the same time I was some what confuse and nervous in initial stage,
as I was not having any prior experience of carrying out any such task in the past but at the
same time was very happy as I was very sure that this will open up variety of opportunity for
me in context of learning new things and improving my existing knowledge, During this
module I have gone through variety of the information from different sources and analysis the
same to address different task in the project. Another thing which was experienced by me was
working in the group as in the past I was not having any such experience. I have understand
that working in team will eventually help in getting better solution of the issue faced by the
individual in the project.
Reflective observation:
In the initial stage I was confused about the works which I have to perform in the
organization as in past I have not perform any such task. As a result I have started making
variety of different efforts to carry out different task. During the project it is analyzed by me
that it is very important for all students to have good skill set. Reason behind identifying
same is that there are many different type of challenges which are thrown by the assessment
to the individual. As a result I have develop variety of the skill in carrying out assessment,
communication skill is one of skill, as it was find out that I was having good communication
skill but finding it difficult to communicate with written communication, as a result I used to
find it difficult to communicate with senior or other interested party in the project. As

message which was pass on by me to the other were not that attractive to catch the eye of
other in the University.
Another difficulty which was seen by me to understand different sort of information
which was collected by me and analysis the same. I found that I used to find it easy to
analysis the alphabetical information which was gather by me in the project but used to find it
difficult to understand and evaluate variety of numerical data which is gather by me, this
eventually used to impact the quality of assessment which is performed by me in the market.
Also, this assessment has asked me to use variety of technology software to carry out the
outcome of report but it was found out that I used to find it difficult to understand the
Microsoft office program during the Unit. This has also consumed lot of my time and
impacted my efficiency to carry out different operation in the University.
Another difficulty which is seen by me in the project was that I used to find it difficult
to solve variety of the problem which is faced by me and my colleague, as it has been find out
by me that I used to understand the problem which was faced by other but at the same time it
used to get difficult for me to pass on the solution of same in the University. Another issue
which was faced by me was that I used to find it difficult to work with other in assessment.
As we have to coordinate together in the University to carry out assessment.
Abstract Conceptualization:
There were many different type of technique which was used by me to build this type
of strategy in the mean time. To build the communication skill I have taken help of tutor and
senior management in which I try to communicate more with them in written communication
and used to take variety of different feedback of them. This was the same technique which
was also used by me in building good numerical skill as they are the one who used to have
good numerical skill, so on basis of their experience I was able to build good numerical skill
of mine also in the organization.
To build good ICT skill I have taken help of different conference, this conference has
helped me in understanding the different aspect of different technology in University. This
eventually has helped me in gaining good knowledge about same. Not only that this
conference has helped me in gaining the practical knowledge about different tool as well, this
has eventually helped me in building good ICT skill. Problem solving skill and working
together skill are generally develop by me in the organization by taking help of listening skill,

as with the help of listening skill I was able to understand the queries of different member or
mine very easily it eventually used to help me in interlinking the solution of the same. This
has helped me in enhancing the level of problem solving skill in the market. At the same time
it was also analyzed by me that with the help of same skill in the market I was also able to
build good trust among the colleague or team member this has helped me in getting good
support from their end whenever I used to find and difficulty. This has eventually helped me
in building good team building skill of mine in the University.
Active Experimentation:
Appling this skill and technique in the University has helped me in gaining variety of
the benefit of same in the organization. As it was seen by me that having good written
communication skill in the organization has helped me in building good reputation and image
of the company in front of other in the market as they used to find my message more
attractive. Having good numerical skill has helped me in understanding the different
numerical stats more easily in the organization this has eventually helped me in improving
the quality of the outcome which has been carried by me in the market. Also this skill has
helped me in building good confidence of mine in the organization as with the help of same
skill only I used to find it easy to carry out different assessment very easily in the university.
At the same time ICT skill has helped me in saving ample of time in the assessment, a with
the help of using different ICT skill in the organization I used to carry out the different task
very quickly this used to save ample period of time for me to check the quality of different
task one again.
At the same time having problem solving and team working skill has helped the lot to
me in the University as it has been find out by me that with the help of the problem solving
skill I was more clear about the different task which has to be performed by me in the
University. At the same time I also used to be ready with more option in the University to
solve the different issues which are being faced by me in the University. Team building skill
of mine has helped me in seeing better number of helping hand at the time I used to feel that
there is some sort of the issue in carry out different task. As all team member in the
University generally used to work together and whenever someone used to face any sort of
the issue in the module, all the member together in the University used to make different
efforts to solve the issue which is being faced by the individual in the team.

CONCLUSION
After going through the module it has been concluded that there are many different type of
sustainable approach which are being used in the organization to implement different strategy
in the organization. After that the report concludes that there are many different approaches of
CSR for many different size of the organization I.e. Micro, SME and Corporate Business, are
their approaches similar and also difference between all of this approaches in the
organization. After that the report concludes that evidence of research and reading beyond
topic areas. Then report goes on to conclude the reflection of the report which concludes that
their are many different type of issue which is faced by me in the initial stages but with the
help of different technology and senior in the University I was able to develop the different
skill which has helped me in seeing good growth in the university.

REFERENCES
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