Implementing Corporate Social Responsibility

This researcher conducted a qualitative study on implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices within an organization. The study gathered information from 15 employees of Black Penny, a UK-based company. The report provides recommendations on how to effectively implement CSR practices within the restaurant industry. References to relevant academic journals and online resources are included.

Managing a successful
business project

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Aim and objectives of the project.........................................................................................1
P2 Project management plan.......................................................................................................2
P3 Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart..........................................................................2
PART 2............................................................................................................................................2
P4. Qualitative and quantitative research method to conduct small scale research....................2
PART 3............................................................................................................................................4
P5 Analysis of research by using tools and techniques of research methods. ...........................4
P6 Recommendation.................................................................................................................10
P7 Reflective.............................................................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Managing successful business operations is the most crucial part for management as it
demands sustainable efforts for which it is important for the organizations in today’s era to
implement corporate social responsibility in enterprise. CSR are the integrated and self-regulated
efforts incorporated in business model to increase efficiency and effectiveness of business
operations. The report will analyze the aim and objectives determined by The Black Penny, a
small sized restaurant in UK to implement CSR practices in order to measure goals, performance
and engagement of key stakeholders with maintaining sustainability of business operations.
Moreover, it will outline the qualitative method used by restaurant to evaluate the employees'
response towards project plan. Thus, it will identify the recommendations for entity on
effectiveness of CSR practices, policies and activities for maintaining sustainability of operations
in order to attain competitive advantage.
PART 1
P1. Aim and objectives of the project
Corporate social responsibility activities within the small enterprise are effective for the
business in order to maintain the sustainability of company. CSR concept is an approach which
assists the organization in coordinating with social, economic and environmental benefits in
order to establish stability of business operations. Implementing CSR activities in organisation
assists in making efforts to promote social welfare. It is the best way which assists firm in
improving its public image as it focuses on social responsibility. Further, The Black Penny, small
restaurant of UK will conduct research on making project plan in order to analyse the
effectiveness of implementing CSR in company to maintain sustainability for attaining
competitive advantage (Why Corporate Social Responsibility is Important 2017). The plan for
implementation demands appropriate and specific aim and objectives for the project in order to
evaluate its success and effectiveness along with future growth and development.
Aim: “To investigate the importance and effectiveness of incorporating corporate social
responsibility for maintaining sustainability in order to stand out in competition: a case study on
Black Penny”
Research Objectives
 To determine the nature of corporate social responsibility
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 To determine the importance of CR activities within organisation
 To evaluate the relation between competitive advantage and corporate social
responsibility To determine the solution to improve business performance after incorporating CSR
practices.
Research Questions
 What is the role of CSR practices in Black Penny?
 How it assists the organization in establishing social welfare?
 What is the relationship between competitive advantage, sustainability and corporate
social responsibility?
P2 Project management plan
Cost: Black Penny will invest 5 percent of its revenue in implementation of Corporate social
responsibility.
Scope: The company will increase the investment in initiative with the increase in profits by the
implementation of Corporate social responsibility.
Time: Black Penny will formulate the policies and plans of organisation every 6 month in order
to maintain the effectiveness of CSR to maintain sustainability of environment and to attain
competitive advantage.
Quality: For evaluating quality of implementation plan the company will make use of
Benchmark and key performance indicator.
Communication: To enhance the plan of CSR activities the company will focus on following the
hierarchical concept in functional structure.
Risk: For managing risk Black penny will formulate risk assessment plan which will assist the
firm in determining the loopholes a different strategy. Every 6 month the organisation will
analyse the changes in plan and will further formulate plan in order to minimize the chance of
uncertainties with implementing Corporate social responsibility.
Resources: Expert employees, funds, volunteers and legal advisers.
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Task Mode Task Name Duration Start Finish Predecessors
Auto
Schedule
d
Research project 4 days?
Tue 14/11/17 Fri 17/11/17
Auto
Schedule
d
Preparation 1 day?
Tue 14/11/17 Tue 14/11/17
Auto
Schedule
d
Determining topic for
research 1 day Tue 14/11/17 Tue 14/11/17
Auto
Schedule
d
Developing statements
of problems 1 day Wed
15/11/17
Wed
15/11/17 3
Auto
Schedule
d
Analysing time frames
to make proper allocation
resources
2 days Thu 16/11/17 Fri 17/11/17 4
Auto
Schedule
d
Implementation 29 days
Mon
20/11/17 Thu 28/12/17
Auto
Schedule
d
Literature review 10 days Mon
20/11/17 Fri 01/12/17 5
Auto
Schedule
d
Determining
investigation methods 5 days Mon
04/12/17 Fri 08/12/17 7
Auto
Schedule
d
Computing Cost 4 days Mon
11/12/17 Thu 14/12/17 8
Auto
Schedule
d
Interpretation and
analysis of data 10 days Fri 15/12/17 Thu 28/12/17 9
Auto
Schedule
d
Assessment of
outcomes and conclusion 5 days Fri 15/12/17 Thu 21/12/17 9
Auto
Schedule
d
Project closer 5 days
Fri 22/12/17 Thu 28/12/17
Auto
Schedule
d
Summary and
recommendation 2 days Fri 22/12/17 Mon
25/12/17 11
Auto
Schedule
Proper documentation
of outcomes
2 days Tue 26/12/17 Wed
27/12/17
13
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d
Auto
Schedule
d
Submission of report 1 day Thu 28/12/17 Thu 28/12/17 14
P3 Work Breakdown structure and Gantt chart
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Illustration 1: Critical path

PART 2
P4. Qualitative and quantitative research method to conduct small scale research
It is important for the organisation to evaluate the best method of conducting
investigation in order to reach to an appropriate result. In order to conduct research it is
important for the enterprise to follow a systematic process which is described under research
methodology (Lewis, 2015).
Types of Investigation
There are two types of research that is qualitative and quantitative and for analyzing the
views of employees in Black penny the organisation will make use Qualitative technique in
which the management will prepare a questionnaire for some specific employees in order to
evaluate their view over the CSR practices and its relation with competitive advantage. In
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Illustration 2: Gantt Chart

qualitative research the researcher has to follow appropriate and determined process which
comprise:
Research Design: It is the most logical way of conducting research and analyze the view of
employees on some specific topic. Further, in this the investigator prepares a design which
comprise all the study and different type of data which can be beneficial in gathering data. This
is used by Black penny restaurant to collect information and identify the role and importance of
Corporate social responsibilities in enhancing business operations.
Philosophy of research
It denotes that the process is hypothetical and the researcher has to analysis data after
interpretation every gathered information. Further, with the use of this approach the investigator
analysis various assumption which denotes the benefits and limitation of specific topic or
practices(SeddonCalvert and Yang, 2010). Like in case of incorporating CSR practice in small
size restaurant the scholar will collect the information form employees and according to the
information the management will determine the best possible alternatives in order to attain
objectives and goals of firm.
Research Approach
It assists the investigation in conducting research process in systematic manner. The
approach has two types of methods that deductive and inductive where deductive approach assist
the researcher in collecting only specific information by testing theory and it is majorly used in
qualitative research methods. Whereas, the inductive approach aims at evaluating new theories
which can assist in collecting information and data.
Data Collection
It is the process in which the researcher collects the data about the specific topic with the
use of research method and research approach. It is the best method of collecting appropriate
information form various sources. Further, in this the investigator can collect information
through two sources that is primary and secondary. The management of Black penny restaurant
used the Primary sources in which the scholar gather data about corporate social responsibilities
from 15 employees working withing the organisation.
Data Analysis
After collection of data the researcher focuses on anaylsing data in order to draw
appropriate conclusion (Short, Ketchen Jr, and Ireland, 2010). For this the investigator has two
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ways such as statistical and mathematical. Further, in this, scholar draws graph and chart to
determine the final outcome of information which has been collected from employees.
Sample
To make research process effective the investigator used random sampling method in
which it prepared a questionnaire on Corporate social responsibility and its relation with
competitive advantage. Moreover, the questions are being asked 15 employees working with
organisation by using primary source of data collection.
Research Limitation
The data collection by using primary source is time consuming and costly. Moreover, it is
based on assumption therefore relying on the answers can be sometimes risky.
PART 3
P5 Analysis of research by using tools and techniques of research methods.
Questionnaire is the best technique which assists enterprise in collecting data and
information about any new policy and practices (Du, Bhattacharya and Sen, 2010). Further, it is
important for organisation to evaluate the views of employees and management before
implementing new practices. Therefore, questionnaire in small scale research of The Black
Penny for incorporating CSR in restaurant will analyze and interpret the view 15 employees.
Questionnaire
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1. Are the practices of corporate social responsibility effective and necessary of Black Penny?
 Disagree
 Neutral
 Agree
2. Is there any relationship between competitive advantage and CSR?
 Disagree
 Neutral
 Agree
3. Do you believe that Black Penny will be benefited by the activities and practices of corporate
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social responsibility?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
4. What according to you is the major problem in restaurant?
 Employee’s safety
 Child labour
 Unequal distribution of responsibilities
5. What according to you will be considered and initiated from CSR activities?
 Health and safety
 Equal distribution of responsibilities
 Stability of environment
6. Which is the best measure for incorporating CSR in Black Penny?
 Managing charity event at the end of financial year
 Delivering financial support to societal firms
 Voluntary organization
7. Which department according to you is responsible for incorporating corporate social
responsibility in the restaurant?
 Human resource department
 Top management
 Administrative department
8. According to you what strategies and techniques can assist the process of incorporating CSR
practices in restaurant?
 Individual department for complete process
 Line Department
 Systematic flow of information in horizontal direction
 Foundation Trust
9. Any suggestions for improving CSR activities in The Black Penny
___________________________________________________________________________
Theme 1: Effectiveness of Corporate social responsibility in Black Penny.
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Are the practices of corporate social responsibility effective and
necessary of Black Penny?
Frequency
Disagree 2
Neutral 5
Agree 8
Reasoning and Interpretation: In accordance with analysis, it has been determined that out of 15
employees, 8 are agreed with implementing the practices within restaurant. The workers strongly
believe that corporate social responsibility is the best technique to improve effectiveness of
business operations and earn consumer loyalty. However, in contrary, according to two staff
members, company is already focused on its value of serving quality services and it is not
important and effective to incorporate these practices. Apart from this, 5 staff members were
neutral as according to them, it is necessary for The Black Penny to focus on its sustainability but
on the other hand, process will consume a lot of time due to which firm can lose its cost
effectiveness (Carroll and Shabana, 2010).
Theme 2: Relationship between competitive advantage and CSR.
Is there any relationship between competitive advantage and CSR? Frequency
Disagree 2
Neutral 2
Agree 11
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Reasoning and Interpretation: Corporate social responsibility is the best strategy which assists
management in maintaining suitability of business environment that help organisation in
attaining the competitive advantage. In accordance with the analysis, it has been demonstrated
that 11 employees out of 15 agreeing that the incorporating CSR activity and attaining advantage
over competitors has a strong relation as practices are focused on providing benefits to
stakeholders, evaluating financial performance in accordance to goals which is the best method
to stand out in competition. On the other hand, according to 2 employees, it is not important to
implement CSR in order to attain advantage over rivalries as restaurant can measure its
performance by regularly monitoring the business operations.
Theme 3: Black Penny will be benefited by the activities and practices of corporate social
responsibility.
Do you believe that Black Penny will be benefited by the activities and
practices of corporate social responsibility?
Frequency
Yes 12
No 1
Not sure 2
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Reasoning and Interpretation: According to analysis, it has been denoted that there are various
benefits of practising corporate social responsibility in restaurant as it assists the organisation in
making use of environmental friendly products and services. In accordance with these practices,
The Black Penny will be able to implement use of the best food resources in order to serve the
best quality of food services to consumers (Tian, Wang and Yang, 2011). On the other, CSR
activities will assist the restaurant in improving its financial performance, reputation among all
stake holders and also will able to access the easiest way of gathering capital for investment.
However, in contrary, two employees were not even sure about the limitations and benefits
which can be caused due to incorporation of corporate social responsibility.
Theme 4: The major problems in restaurant.
What according to you is the major problem in restaurant? Frequency
Employee Safety 8
Child labour 2
Unequal distribution of responsibilities 5
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Reasoning and Interpretation: In accordance with conducted research, it has been discovered
that the major issue faced by The Black Penny is health and safety of employee as there are
various circumstances which lead to hazardous incidents such as wet floor, in appropriate
equipment in kitchen, food contamination and intolerance, etc. Therefore, according to 8
employees, implementing CSR activities will assist the restaurant in maintaining healthy and
safe practices at workplace. However, in contrary to this, 5 employees raised the issue of unequal
distribution of power due to which there are various internal conflicts between workers and
according to these 5 workers, CSR practices will assist the enterprise in establishing equal
opportunities and power for all the staff members.
Theme 5: Factors which will be considered and initiated from CSR activities
What according to you will be considered and initiated from CSR
activities?
Frequency
Health and safety 5
Equal distribution of responsibilities 5
Stability of Environment 5
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Reasoning and Interpretation: According to research it has been demonstrated that all the
employees agree to point of implementing CSR activities by every individual has its own point
of view such as out 15, 5 employees states the Corporate social responsibility will assist Black
penny in resolving the issue of Healthy and safety with regard to consumers and employees
whereas 5 employees demonstrated that the practices will assist the restaurant in establishing
equal distribution of power and authorities. Further, according to 5 employees the policies of
CSR should be implemented to establish stability in business and business environment. Hence,
from the analysis. It is denoted that the activities are techniques which provides company an
advantage over all the stable practices which are necessary to maintain sustainability (Bondy,
Moon and Matten, 2012).
Theme 6: Best measures for incorporating CSR in Black Penny
Which is the best measure for incorporating CSR in Black Penny? Frequency
Managing charity event at last of financial year 6
Delivering financial support to Societal firms 5
Voluntary organization 4
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Reasoning and Interpretation: The conducted research of 15 employees of Black penny
demonstrated that according to 6 employees the best measure of implementing CSR in restaurant
is to organise charity events at the end of every financial year as this will assist the company in
evaluating its end profits and on other hand the restaurant will be able to invest in some
charitable events in order to create awareness among society about the healthy food business
and improve its market image. However, in contrary out 15, 5 employees implies that, providing
financial support societal firm is best of incorporating with CSR as it is the best strategy but
which the restaurant can resist the minds of consumers. Hence, according to 4 workers, it has
been evaluated that the ultimate focus of Black penny should be on Voluntary organisation when
implementing CSR in entity as the organisation will indirectly or directly but will support the
business operations (Hoi, Wu and Zhang, 2013).
Theme 7: Department which is responsible for incorporating Corporate social
responsibility in restaurant
Which department according to you is responsible for incorporating
Corporate social responsibility in restaurant?
Frequency
Human resource department 3
Top management 9
Administrative department 3
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Reasoning and Interpretation: According to conducted research, it has been demonstrated that I
the implementation of Corporate social responsibility starts from top level of management which
guides all the other departments about the changes in practices in policies. According to theses
employees it is the function of top manager to show road map to all workers towards
sustainability and ethical practices. However, in contrary, according to 3 employees out of 15,
the process is conducted by HR manager of an organisation, therefore is important for the
manager to take part in incorporation process of CSR activities. Thus, according to 3 staff
members its is the duty of Administrative department to keep a check over CSR policies and
practices. Henceforth, according to analysis it can be concluded that it is the duty of Top level
management to comply and incorporate the activities of Corporate social responsibility in Black
Penny.
Theme 8: Strategies and technique which can assist the process of incorporating CSR
practices in restaurant.
According to you what strategies and technique can assist the process
of incorporating CSR practices in restaurant?
Frequency
Individual department for complete process 9
Line Department 2
Systematic flow of information in horizontal direction 3
Foundation Trust 1
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Reasoning and Interpretation: According to conducted research it has been evaluated that out of
15 employees, 9 employees believes that is important for the firm to have individual department
for the complete of process of incorporating CSR practices in an organisation (Lichtenstein,
Drumwright and Braig, 2014). IN accordance, it is important for the management to keep a
check over the practices and activities which are changes due to CSR compliance. On the other
hand, According to 2 employees the restaurant should aims at providing all the duties to line
department as it will assist in maintaining coordination and cooperation in all business operations
in accordance to CSR. Further, according to analysis it has been demonstrated that 3 employees
think that flow of activities and information in vertical direction is the best way to establish
effectiveness and efficiency in business operations.
P6 Recommendation
From the research it has been determined that implementing Corporate social
responsibility withing the organisation plays a major role in establishing sustainability of
environment in order to attain competitive advantage (Smith, 2011). Further, in accordance to
research it has been demonstrated that the practices of CSR are directly linked with financial
performance of an organisation. Apart from this in order to establish effective growth and
development, the Black Penny needs to implement the use CSR policies in practices. The
practices can assist the firm in attaining competitive advantage by improving its relation with
stakeholders and bu enhancing its financial performance. Recommendation which can assist
Black planning in enhancing its business operations are as follows:
 As it is small scale restaurant it important for the business to recognize all the barriers
and hindrance which can interrupt the incorporation process of corporate social
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responsibility. Analyzing the future problems will assist Black penny improving the
efficiency and effectiveness of Corporate social responsibility practices.
 It is important for the organisation to collect feed back about the practices from all
manager, employees and consumers in order to determine the strengths and weakness of
the process.
 Before Implementing CSR practices the company should focus on improving the
participation of its stakeholders with business operations. Further, when implementing
such practices the restaurant should aim at using renewable and environmental friendly
resources (Bhattacharya, Korschun and Sen, 2017).
P7 Reflective
From the research I have analyzed that there are various steps which are being used by
the small business when planning to implement Corporate social responsibility in an
organization. Moreover, I was not aware about the effectiveness of CSR practices because
according to me the policies assist the business in maintaining sustainability of its business
operations but now I know that the practices assist the firm in attaining competitive advantage.
Apart from his I identify the use of various research methods when conducting research. With is
project ion managing small business operations I learned all the step which are necessary to be
considered when conducting research, like, first the company will have to make use of different
sources of information, analyzing the vest research tool and approach to conduct investigation
which is qualitative method as it supports the primary data collection process. Furthermore, after
the complete process of research I evaluated that the methods assist the scholar in drawing
hypothetical conclusion therefore it is necessary for the firm to regularly monitor and control the
business operations. Besides, I analyzed the effectiveness of collecting information before
implanting any practices. Moreover, at the end that is data analysis and recommendation I
developed my research and analytical skills. Hence, In my opinion it is important for the food
business to incorporate the practices and policies of Corporate social responsibility on order to
attain competitive advantage and to serve satisfactory food services to consumers.
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CONCLUSION
The report summarized the importance and role of corporate social responsibility in
management of small scale business operations. In accordance to report it has been evaluated
that CSR practices assist the organisation in maintaining sustainability of its environment in
order to attain competitive advantage. Further, it analyzed the various methods of research which
are used by the investigator at the time of data collection. In this researcher used the qualitative
methods of data collection in which it gathered the information about incorporating CSR
practices in organisation from 15 employees of Black penny, The small scale resultant of UK.
Beside, the report outlined the recommendation which focused on the reason and how the
company should implement Corporate social responsibility withing the restaurant.
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REFERENCES
Books and journals
Seddon, P. B., Calvert, C., & Yang, S. (2010). A multi-project model of key factors affecting
organizational benefits from enterprise systems. MIS quarterly, 34(2), 305-328.
Lewis, S. (2015). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five approaches.
Health promotion practice. 16(4). 473-475.
Short, J. C., Ketchen Jr, D. J., & Ireland, R. D. (2010). Research methods in entrepreneurship:
Opportunities and challenges. Organizational Research Methods. 13(1). 6-15.
Du, S., Bhattacharya, C. B., & Sen, S. (2010). Maximizing business returns to corporate social
responsibility (CSR): The role of CSR communication. International Journal of
Management Reviews. 12(1). 8-19.
Carroll, A. B., & Shabana, K. M. (2010). The business case for corporate social responsibility: A
review of concepts, research and practice. International journal of management reviews.
12(1). 85-105.
Tian, Z., Wang, R., & Yang, W. (2011). Consumer responses to corporate social responsibility
(CSR) in China. Journal of business ethics. 101(2). 197-212.
Bondy, K., Moon, J., & Matten, D. (2012). An institution of corporate social responsibility
(CSR) in multi-national corporations (MNCs): Form and implications. Journal of
Business Ethics. 111(2). 281-299.
Hoi, C. K., Wu, Q., & Zhang, H. (2013). Is corporate social responsibility (CSR) associated with
tax avoidance? Evidence from irresponsible CSR activities. The Accounting Review.
88(6). 2025-2059.
Smith, A. D. (2011). Corporate social responsibility implementation: Comparison of large not-
for-profit and for-profit companies. International Journal of Accounting & Information
Management. 19(3). 231-246.
Bhattacharya, C. B., Korschun, D., & Sen, S. (2017). Strengthening stakeholder–company
relationships through mutually beneficial corporate social responsibility initiatives.
Journal of Business ethics. 85. 257-272.
Lichtenstein, D. R., Drumwright, M. E., & Braig, B. M. (2014). The effect of corporate social
responsibility on customer donations to corporate-supported nonprofits. Journal of
marketing. 68(4). 16-32.
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ONLINE
Why Corporate Social Responsibility is Important 2017. [Online]. Available through:
<https://doublethedonation.com/why-corporate-social-responsibility-is-important/>.
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