CSR Activities in Beauty in Distress Salon

In this research study, the researcher adopted an ethical approach by obtaining the willingness of Beauty in Distress employees to participate in a survey before sending them the questionnaire. The study faced constraints such as limited budget and time, but it was essential to conduct the project with proper planning using Gantt charts and activity-based budgeting. The findings suggest that the salon should focus on CSR activities, target new groups, increase its budget allocation for CSR initiatives, recycle waste products, design environmentally friendly products, and prioritize community demands.

MANAGING
SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

TASK 1
P1 Project aims and objectives for Beauty In Distress Salon
Research title: “Executing Corporate Social Responsibility in a small or medium-sized
enterprise to fulfil sustainability goals”.
Background of research: Corporate social responsibility is an ethical model and it advices that
any organisation be it small or medium-sized, has a duty towards giving benefits to the society. It
is also named as corporate conscience, corporate citizenship or responsible business. The policy
of CSR operates as self-regulatory mechanism under which businesses supervises and assures
their active abidance with the law, ethical standards and national or international norms. Along
with certain frameworks, an organisations execution of CSR activities goes above just
compliance and involves in those actions which give some further social good, which is beyond
firm's interests and needed by law (Saul, 2012). In some areas like environmental issues or
labour regulations, organisations can select to oblige with law, to go above law, but they can also
opt for not complying with law, like when they intentionally avoid gender equality or mandatory
needs to recruit employees with disabilities. There should be a recognition given that several
hard laws are weak laws also. They are weak in the sense that they are enforced in a very poor
manner having little or no control and little or very few sanctions when there is a case of non-
compliance.
Research aim:: “To analyse the significance and value of CSR to meet sustainability objectives-
A study on Beauty In Distress Salon”.
Research objectives:
 To assess the areas and value of CSR for fulfilling sustainability goals.
 To analyse the impact of CSR activities to gain competitive benefits. To advise certain methods for improving CSR activities.
Research questions:
 What is the significance and value of CSR in meeting sustainability objectives?
 What is the effect of CSR in gaining competitive advantages?

P2 Project management plan covering cost, scope, time, quality and resources
Name of activities Duration Start Completion Predecessors
To find the title of study 11 days Mon
3/6/17
Mon
3/20/17
Making statement of
problems 8 days Tue
3/7/17 Thu 3/16/17 1
Set time limitation to
allot resources 5 days Wed
3/8/17 Tue 3/14/17 2
Conducting literature
review 18 days Thu
3/9/17 Mon 4/3/17 3
Selection of techniques
for investigation 15 days Fri
3/10/17 Thu 3/30/17 4
Calculation costs 11 days Fri
3/10/17 Fri 3/24/17 4
Data interpretation and
analysis 17 days Mon
3/13/17 Tue 4/4/17 5
Evaluation of results
and findings 8 days Mon
3/13/17
Wed
3/22/17 5
Presentation of
conclusion and
suggestions
15 days Mon
3/13/17 Fri 3/31/17 6
Documentation of
outcomes 11 days Tue
3/14/17 Tue 3/28/17 7
Submission of reports 4 days Tue
3/14/17 Fri 3/17/17 8
Notes to plan

To find the title of study- The title of the study is about the research made on CSR
activities conducted by Beauty In Distress Salon. It meant to seek the working in partnership
with local communities. Time limitation five days are provided for allocation of resources.
Conducting literature reviews in eighteen days with efficient quality and quantity. Various
techniques of research will be used in order to investigate the process and practices. The brief
evaluation will be provided in order to get results and findings. Documentation of outcomes will
be completed within eleven days. The overall budget of the plan was estimated £1000.
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Gantt chart was developed by Henry Gantt in 1910 and is the kind of bar chart that shows
the schedule of the project in the graphical manner. It shows the terminal and summary elements
from the beginning to the end of the project. It also shows the dependency relationship between
activities. The following chart represent the criteria of activities of the project from the beginning
to the end of the project completion.

TASK 2
P4 Small-scale research
Small scale research for meeting the project aim is made through questionnaire:
'Questionnaire on CSR activities done by the organisation.'
'Questionnaire on CSR activities done by the Beauty In Distress Salon.'
Name:
Age:
Gender:
1) Which type of CSR activities are done by your salon?
 Environmental activities
 Educational activities

 Women empowerment
 Charitable programs
2) Who should be given responsibility of complying with CSR?
 CSR manager
 Administration department
 Human resource department
 Others (kindly mention it)
3) How CSR initiatives are applied in your organisation?
 By arranging charitable programmes on yearly basis
 Through providing fiscal assistance to community based organisations
 By helping voluntary organisation
 Fund to government agencies and institutions
4) What type of target groups are covered under CSR initiatives by your salon?
 People residing near your organisation
 Chosen by taking consultancy with NGOs
 Random selection of any region or community
 Poor people who live in rural regions
5) What are the reasons behind covering the stated issues in CSR in your salon?
 Community demand
 Present importance of the issue
 According to the mandate of firm
 Others (Kindly mention it)
6) How much average percentage of annual budget is allotted for CSR activities
during past 2 years?
 5- 10 percent
 10-20 percent
 20-30 percent
 More than this
7) Which type of measures are taken by your organisation for reducing affects on
environment?
 Energy saving

 Recycling waste
 Developing nature friendly products
 Using renewable resources
8) What type of problems are being faced by your salon?
 Safety of employees
 Irregular work
 Rights of women
 Fair remuneration
9) According to your view, what could be major advantages of adopting CSR
activities?
 Improves reputation of organisation
 Enhances relationship with donors, community
 Increase in efficiency
 Gaining commercial advantages
Objective 1- To assess the areas and value of CSR for fulfilling sustainability goals.
Theme 1: Majority of the respondents agree that Beauty in Distress salon focuses on
environmental activities for CSR compared to other activities
1) Which type of CSR activities are done by your salon?
Environmental activities 4
Educational activities 2
Women empowerment 3
Charitable programs 1
10

Interpretation: From the above data it has been interpreted that Beauty in Distress salon focuses
more on environmental issues for doing their CSR activities. Out of 10 employees about 4 of
them agree that environmental issues are of prime focus by the firm. However, three of them
responded that salon works for women empowerment also. Only two of the employees replies
that salon pays attention towards educational activities, while just one employee said that their
salon focuses on charitable events. This showcases that salon is emphasises more on
environmental issues and women empowerment too.
Environmental
activities
Educational
activities
Women
empowerment
Charitable
programs
0
1
2
3
4 4
2
3
1
Column D

Theme 2: Half of the respondents accept that CSR manager is holding the accountability towards
compliance with CSR
2) Who should be given responsibility of complying with CSR?
CSR manager 5
Administration department 3
Human resource department 2
Others (kindly mention it) 0
10
Interpretation: With the aforementioned data, it is analysed that almost half of the employees
agree with the fact that CSR compliance is liability of CSR manager. From 10 respondents, three
of them responded that CSR should be under administration department while only two of them
replied that it should be responsibility of human resource department. None of them mentioned
any other department. This depicts that half of staff is not satisfied with the CSR manager and
they want to give this responsibility to any other department such as administrative or human
resource department.
CSR manager Administration
department
Human resource
department
Others (kindly
mention it)
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
5
3
2
0
Series1

Theme 3:Majority of employees responded that CSR initiatives are executed by giving financial
assistance to community based organisation
3) How CSR initiatives are applied in your organization?
By arranging charitable programmes on yearly basis 3
Through providing fiscal assistance to community based organizations 4
By helping voluntary organization 3
Fund to government agencies and institutions 0
10
Interpretation: From the above mentioned information, it has been analysed that most of the
respondents accept that cited salon applies its CSR initiatives by giving financial support to
community based firms. Out of 10 respondents, three of them responded that firm implements its
CSR initiatives by organising charity events every year. Whereas, three of them has a different
opinion about it. They replied that firms fulfils its CSR activities by supporting the voluntary
organisations. This showcases that quoted beauty salon pays more attention on giving fiscal help
to community based organisation rather than giving help to voluntary firms or arranging
charitable programmes. None of them responded that it gives help to government agencies.
3
4
3 By arranging charitable
programmes on yearly
basis
Through providing fiscal
assistance to community
based organizations
By helping voluntary
organization
Fund to government
agencies and institutions

Project Objective 2- To analyse the impact of CSR activities to gain competitive benefits.
Theme 4:Majority of the employees accepted that organisation chose its target group by taking
consultancy to NGOs
4) What type of target groups are covered under CSR initiatives by your salon?
People residing near your organization 2
Chosen by taking consultancy with NGOs 5
Random selection of any region or community 2
Poor people who live in rural regions 1
10
Interpretation: A clear majority of employees responded that their salon selects its target group
by consulting to NGOs. Out of 10 respondents, two of them replied that firm targets the local
people who live nearby to the salon. While, two of them said that it selected on a random basis of
any areas or community. Only one employee had a distinct viewpoint on this issue. His response
was that firm chooses it target group as the poor people who resides in rural areas. This shows
2
5
2
1
People residing near your
organization
Chosen by taking
consultancy with NGOs
Random selection of any
region or community
Poor people who live in rural
regions

that cited salon select the target group for CSR initiatives by taking consultation from NGOs.
Any other target group is not given priority more than this option.

Theme 5:Majority of the respondents agreed that the reason for covering stated issues in CSR
is due to the mandate of organisation.
5) What are the reasons behind covering the stated issues in CSR in your salon?
Community demand 1
Present importance of the issue 3
According to the mandate of firm 4
Others (Kindly mention it) 2
10
Interpretation: From the above data it is interpreted that out of 10 employees, 4 of them said that
the reason behind adopting CSR issues is due to the mandate of the salon. Yet, three of them
responded that it is because of current significance of this issue. Two employees had a though
that it is due to some other reason while only one of them had an opinion that salon covers the
stated issues in its CSR initiatives due to demand of community. From this interpretation it is
very much clear that firm takes its mandate seriously and thus complied with it. Also it
understands the present value of this issue.
1
3
4
2
Community demand
Present importance of the
issue
According to the mandate of
firm
Others (Kindly mention it)

Theme 6:Most of the employees accepted that Beauty In Distress Salon spends very less
percentage of its annual budget for CSR initiatives
6) How much average percentage of annual budget is allotted for CSR activities
during past 2 years?
5- 10 percent 5
10-20 percent 2
20-30 percent 3
More than this 0
10
Interpretation: From the aforementioned data, it is analysed that most of the respondents agreed
with the fact that the stated salon spends only 5 to 10 percent of its annual budget for CSR
initiatives. Two of them responded that the firm spend 10 to 20 percent of annual budget. Three
of the employees has a viewpoint that firm spend 20 to 30 percent of its annual budget for CSR
10-20 percent More than this
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
5
2
3
0
Column D

activities. Nobody asserted that it spends more than 30 percent for CSR initiatives. This
showcases that cited salon gives very little amount of its budget on CSR initiatives.
Project Objective 3- To advise certain methods for improving CSR activities.
Theme 7: Majority of employees agreed to the fact that Beauty in Distress salon
7) Which type of measures are taken by your organisation for reducing affects on
environment?
Energy saving 4
Recycling waste 1
Developing nature friendly products 3
Using renewable resources 2
10
Interpretation: From the above illustrated data, it has been interpreted that cited salon saves
energy to contribute in reduction of impacts on nature and its resources. Four out of ten
respondent agreed that energy saving is the main activity done by organisation to reduce affects
on salon. Three of them replied that firm prefer to develop environment friendly products while
two employees responded that it takes use of renewable resources to reduce impact on natural
4
1
3
2
Energy saving
Recycling waste
Developing nature friendly
products
Using renewable resources

resources. While, only one respondent accepted that it recycle wastages. This depicts that the
mentioned salon emphasises more on energy saving and very less on other types of measures to
decrease the influences on environment.
Theme 8:Most of the respondents agreed that there is a problem of Women rights in Beauty in
Distress salon
8) What type of problems are being faced by your salon?
Safety of employees 2
Irregular work 2
Rights of women 4
Fair remuneration 2
10
Interpretation: From the aforementioned data it has been examined that there are major
problems regarding rights of women in the organisation. But there are various viewpoints for the
problems in organisation. Two had a view that employee safety is a major concern while another
two of them opine that irregular work. On the other hand, two employees had a problem with fair
and equal remuneration.
Safety of
employees
Irregular work Rights of
women
Fair
remuneration
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
2 2
4
2 Column D

Theme 9:Majority of the employees have a viewpoint that key benefit of CSR activities is
attainment of commercial benefits.
9) According to your view, what could be major advantages of adopting CSR
activities?
Improves reputation of organisation 3
Enhances relationship with donors, community 1
Increase in efficiency 2
Gaining commercial advantages 4
10
Interpretation: With the above mentioned data, it has been interpreted that most of the
respondents agree that key advantage of CSR activities is to achieve competitive advantages.
Three out of ten viewed that t enhances the image of organisation while two had a opinion that it
grows efficiency. Only one respondent stated that it improves relationship with community and
donors.
3
1
2
4 Improves reputation of
organisation
Enhances relationship with
donors, community
Increase in efficiency
Gaining commercial
advantages

TASK 3
P5 Analysis of research and data
The researcher has taken use of various analytical measures that are being discussed as below: Research design: It is the most essential consideration for researcher for carrying out
research by selecting logical patterns to start investigation. It refers to the all-round
strategy that researcher opts to integrate the various components of the study in logical
manner. Yet, it is a dependable variable as it depends on the chosen topic of the research.
In the current research, title of study is To analyse the significance and value of CSR to
meet sustainability objectives- A study on Beauty In Distress Salon. In the present study,
descriptive research design is taken which gives support to investigator to conduct an in
depth study of chosen topic of study (Cozby and Bates, 2015). There are other types of
research designs such as exploratory and explanatory. These research designs are not
taken in use for this particular study as they do not fit into the topic of research. Research approaches: Research approaches are interpreted formulation by the researcher
to carry out study in a defined and well stated manner. It is classified into three
approaches which are deductive, inductive and abductive approach. In order to conduct
the research deductive approach has been used to analyse the CSR activities of the
saloon. A selected approach for research is then held accountable for showcasing the
whole context of investigation. Generally, there are two types of approaches for research
(Pierre, 2012). First one is inductive and second one is deductive research approach. In
the current research, scholar has adopted inductive approach for research that has made
the study in specific context to assess the the significance and value of CSR to meet
sustainability objectives in context of Beauty in Distress salon. However, there is
another tact of research approach also which are named as Deductive research approach.
This approach is not applied by the investigator due to reason that it limits the entire
scope of study and makes this study in a particular context instead of general context
which is not applicable for the current topic of the study (Tavakoli, 2012). Research philosophy: One more essential concern of study is select a philosophical way
for carrying out the research. It is a belief or phenomena in which data should be
gathered, analysed and used. It deals with development, source and nature of

knlowledege. With reference to this, there are two forms of philosophies i.e.
Interprivitism and Positivism to conduct research. They are very different from one
another. For the current study, Interprivitism is used by investigator. It is usually done to
ass’s subjective nature of the topic of research. The second option of positivism is not
considered by investigator because it is not supportive for researcher in conducting
current subject as it analyses the title objectively (Wildemuth, 2016). Data Collection: This is an important consideration for the researcher in which collection
of reliable information from varied sources is done. It is the process of collection of data
and measuring information on the basis on variables of interest in systematic manner so
that it can enable one to evaluate research questions. Basically, there are two types of
data collection methods. One is primary and another one is secondary technique of
gathering information. Primary sources of data collection are gathered in a direct way
from the respondents to collect required information (Williams, 2011). On the other side,
secondary sources of data is collected by preferring certain pre-set data and information
from reliable and valid sources which comprises books, journals, online publications etc.
In the present study, investigator has preferred for primary sources of data by conducting
a survey in which 10 employees of Beauty In Distress salon are given questionnaire to
collect information from them. Sampling: For the purpose of sampling, there are two types of measures which generally
mean to divide respondents of research in proportionate manner. It is the process of
selecting some specific units from the data collection to analyse them and reach to a
particular results. In this investigation, researcher has taken in use purposive method of
sampling under which 10 employees of Beauty in Distress salon are approached to fill the
questionnaire. One more method of sampling is distribution on a random basis (Geerts,
2011). This is not applied in the present study as it is having non-probable techniques
which mixes participation in random manner. But, the method of purposive sampling
used by investigator is dependent on the manner of making a probable distribution of
respondents which is depicted in this research. Data analysis: Data analysis is assessment of the above collected data and information. It
is done by selecting methods to analyse the data. It is the process of analysis of data
which include inspections, cleansing, transformation and modelling of data. In context to

this, there lies two kinds of distinct tact to analyse the gathered information. They are
called as qualitative and quantitative data analysis. The choice of most appropriate
technique from two options which are available depends on present philosophy of study
(Lather and St. Pierre, 2013). For the present investigation which is carried out for the
researcher has preferred interprivitism philosophy to interpret subjective nature of topic
of this study. Because of this, investigator has used qualitative method to examine the
information. This method had proved to be the most appropriate method to assess present
subject matter with carrying out a thematic research on it. Ethical issues: Ethical issues means the moral implications while carrying out the
investigation for defining a moralised nature. In context to this, there lies several distinct
ethical concerns that are to be adopted on the part of investigator. The first one is to take
a prior approval from respondents who are involved in the study. In this research study,
respondents are 10 employees of Beauty in Distress salon. The researcher has to make
sure that they take part in the investigation with their own interest and wish. The research
should never make pressure on them to do so (Mackenzie and et. al., 2012). One more
ethical consideration while conducting research study is to insert proper citations in the
work which is done for remarking an attached study through collaboratively referring to
authenticated secondary sources of data collection. In this investigation, it is seen that
researcher has adopted an ethical way under which employees of Beauty in Distress were
duly approved regarding their own willingness for participating in the survey before
email was sent to them of set questionnaire (Roberts, 2013).
 Research constraints:There are certain restricting elements for conducting a well defined
research under which investigator has a prime requirement for sufficient time and money
to carry out the research study. In the present investigation, there was a restrictive budget
and time limit to conduct such a broad set of research. These considerations are very
necessary to be emphasised by the researcher (Riedl Davis and Hevner, 2014). Therefore,
it is essential for investigator to carry out a projected study with the help and support of
Gantt Chart for a well stated time-frame and efficient measures for making budget like
activity based could be implemented for planning the research study. Both of these
methods are used by surveyor to conduct this study of

P6 Recommendations
Here are some suggestions to Beauty in Distress Salon on the basis on the survey done:
 The salon is advised to focus more on CSR activities such as educational programs from
children who are poor but could not afford education. It is recommended that it should
also arrange charity event for the needy people.
 The cited salon is suggested to makes new target groups such people who resides nearby
the firm or needy people residing in rural regions. It has been assessed that is chooses its
target groups mostly be consulting NGOs.
 The firm should spend more part of its annual budget for its CSR activities as currently it
is only giving 5 to 10 percent of its annual budget for CSR initiatives from the last two
years.
 The salon is recommended to recycle its waste products which can be taken of any use. It
should also design some environment friendly products so that it reduces its affects on
environment.
 The demand of community should also be paid attention by the firm rather than following
only its mandate. Also it is advised to the firm that it should realise the current
significance of CSR issues and make strategies and policies for the same.
TASK 4
P7 Reflection
To conduct this study in an efficacious manner, there are several types of methods for
research that are used in completion of the study. From the context, it has been concluded that in
order to sustain in the competitive world an organisation has to conduct CSR activities time to
time. The aim of the research is to analyse the significance and value of social responsibility to
meet sustainability objectives- A study on Beauty in Distress Salon which was evaluated in the
report. The project management report was produced which contains the aspects of cost, time,
scope, communication, quality, risk and resources to accomplish the following project. A Gantt
chart was made to illustrate graphically the beginning and end of criteria of activities which was
conducted in order to achieve the goal of the project. A small scale research was made as the
form of questionnaire which is based on the corporate social responsibility activities done by the
organisation. The themes has been classified with the interpretation which shows the impact of

those activities. Analysis was made on research using research design, approaches and
philosophy, data analysis, sampling, etc. which state the influence of various research tools
required for conducting a research. Recommendation and suggestions has been clearly
communicated where the area of focus and the demand of the community has been discussed.