The Role of CSR in Business Growth: A Case Study of BHP Billiton in Australia

This research paper examines the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the growth and development of BHP Billiton, a leading mining company in Australia. The study explores the company's CSR initiatives, their impact on business performance, and the significance of CSR in building a sustainable and ethical business model. Through a case study approach, the paper analyzes BHP Billiton's commitment to environmental sustainability, community engagement, and employee well-being, highlighting the positive correlation between CSR practices and business success. The research concludes that CSR is not merely a philanthropic endeavor but a strategic imperative for businesses seeking long-term growth and societal acceptance.

Role of CSR on development and growth of
businesses- A case study on BHP Billiton
Company Australia.
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Executive summary
In today’s world, all the companies are getting into the corporate social responsibilities using
it as the strategy to get sustain and grow in the competitive market. The CSR activities are
basically assisting the firms to manage the work in more effective and in an appropriate
manner along with this the competitive edge in the market can also be attained by the
company. Australia is one of the leading nations in the world which is consistently ding
innovations and creative things for its sustainability in the global market. This study has
attained information about the need and significance of corporate social responsibilities in the
BHP Billiton Company. The study has also focused on the contribution that the company has
made for the society to make them get attracted towards its operations and activities.
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Contents
Executive summary.............................................................................................................................2
Background..........................................................................................................................................4
Research objectives.............................................................................................................................6
Literature review.................................................................................................................................7
References............................................................................................................................................9
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Background
Corporate social responsibility is one of the factors which at the present time is playing an
essential and vital role in the development and growth of organisation in the competitive
world. Basically, the CSR activities take place when the organisation is putting some efforts
with the use of resources to provide benefits to the society. The concept of corporate social
responsibility is not a new aspect but the popularity of this has been increased in the recent
time. Presently, it has been seen that a large number of organisations are getting into the CSR
activities so that it can be able to manage itself to sustain in the competitive world along with
this the management of the working and operations has also been able to get done in an
effective and required manner (Isaksson, 2012).
The popularity of businesses has also been able to get attained in a competitive market
because of the corporate social responsibilities. The society’s support will also be attained by
the businesses with the use of corporate social responsibilities. BHP Billiton Company is a
well-known organisation in Australia which is effectively implementing and taking initiatives
in corporate social responsibilities. The corporate social responsibilities have helped the
company to retain its position in the competitive world along with this the organisation is also
able to draw in the attention of a large number of people towards the offerings of the
company (Inyang, 2013).
Reason for selecting the topic
At the present time competition in the market is very high which is needed to be managed
and has to be considered by the company as a challenge and take appropriate actions. The
reason behind choosing the topic about Corporate Social Responsibility is because of the
efforts and contribution that is been made by it as a strategy. The company presently is
getting into lots of social works in which the CSR is one of the most used strategies to attract
the customers and the perspective to use the service of the company (Martínez, et. al., 2013).
People want to get the best service and want to be benefitted by several things if the company
is availing them to the customers then they will be preferring the service of that particular
organisation. Therefore, understanding the core concept and importance of the CSR activities
this subjective topic has been selected.
Research gap
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In the previous study the interaction between the company’s management and customers
were missing for which it is suggested to take initiatives to create good and effective
relationship with the customers, therefore the study regarding the CSR activities has been
chosen here to understand the ways and the strategy which will help in interacting with the
customers by the company.
The significance of the study
The study is very important in helping one to learn and enhance their skills and knowledge
about the corporate social responsibilities. The information and respective data that is getting
attained in this study will be making the learner know more about the selected topic and its
influence on the business activities (Tricker and Tricker, 2015). The information can also be
used by the other businesses to understand the strategies and initiatives that BHP Billiton
Company in Australia is taking. The students, as well as the management of the firm, will get
to know more about the CSR activities that how effective and important these activities are
for the business.
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Research objectives
Aim- The prime aim/motive of the investigation s to determine the role of corporate social
responsibilities in growth and development of BHP Billiton Company in Australia.
Objective
 To understand the role of corporate social responsibilities in the present time.
 To determine the contribution of CSR activities in business growth.
 To evaluate the initiatives taken by BHP Billiton company in Australia.
Research hypothesis/questions
Research questions
 How are the corporate social responsibilities working presently in the market?
 What is the basic contribution of corporate social responsibilities in the development
of the business?
 What are the steps and initiatives that BHP Billiton Company in Australia has taken?
Hypothesis
H0- The corporate social responsibilities are vital and assisting the firm in a positive manner
to get growth in the market.
H1- The adverse effect of CSR activities can fall on the business activities of the company.
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Literature review
According to Hopkins (2012), the corporate social responsibility at the present time is playing
an essential and effective role in the making the company more reliable and trustworthy. The
corporate social responsibility is one of an important element of the market at the present
time that can be used as a strategy that can be able to get managed in a possible manner. The
important role that is been played by the CSR activities in the company is that it is assisting
in knowing the company about the benefits and advantages that it can be able to attain with
the effective use of the corporate social responsibilities. As a strategy, it can be implemented
and used by the organisation as with the right and effective use of this the organisation can be
able to attain the long-term sustainability in the competitive world along with this the growth
opportunities by attaining the market benefits can also be obtained by BHP Billiton Company
in Australia.
In accordance to Franks (2012), corporate social duty is one of the variables which right now
is playing a fundamental and crucial part for the improvement and development of
association in the aggressive world. Fundamentally, the CSR exercises happen when the
association is putting a few endeavours with the utilization of assets to give advantages to the
general public. The idea of corporate social duty isn't another perspective yet the ubiquity of
this has been expanded in the ongoing time. It has been seen that number of associations are
getting into the CSR exercises so it can have the capacity to oversee itself to support in the
aggressive world alongside this the administration of the working and tasks has additionally
possessed the capacity to complete in a successful and required way. The company’s growth
and development have a direct link with the CSR activities as the company is assisting the
people to get several benefits which are making them live in a good and standardised manner.
The CSR activities may lead the business operations to get perform in more appropriate and
effective manner as with the large number of customer’s demand for the products and
services of the company, the quality at the same time also needed to be managed. The moral
of employees working in the company will also get increases as a large number of customers
are willing to use the services that are been offered by the company. It is very necessary for
the company to use the strategy of corporate social responsibility to get grow and develop as
it is actually aiding the company to reach its end goals and objectives.
In accordance to Visser and Tolhurst (2017), the corporate social responsibility of BHP
Billiton company begins within the organisation itself. The company is very effective
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considering the health and safety of the workers who are putting their efforts and hard work
for the company’s success and growth. The firm is making the efforts and contribution to
provide safety and health regarding assistance to its employees as the work that is been done
by them is not an easy and sitting work. The mining is a hard and dangerous work as there
can be chances of accidents which needed to be managed and controlled by the company,
therefore the organisation has made several health-protective policies and plans along with
which the firm has also provided safety and security tools which will be aiding in managing
the critical and complex situations. The pay system of the company is also very supportive as
with the right and effective use of this the employees are also contributing appropriately. The
equal and balance pay proforma are been followed by the company so that they can be able to
meet the employee’s needs and can also be able to manage the work in the proper and in a
required manner. With the understanding of the company efforts and contribution towards the
welfare of the society, it can be determined that the corporate social responsibility nowadays
has become one of the most essential aspects which is aiding the company to get grow and
develop appropriately.
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References
 Franks, D., 2012. Social impact assessment of resource projects. International Mining
for Development Centre, 3.
 Hopkins, M., 2012. The planetary bargain: Corporate social responsibility matters.
Routledge.
 Inyang, B.J., 2013. Defining the role engagement of small and medium-sized
enterprises (SMEs) in corporate social responsibility (CSR). International business
research, 6(5), p.123.
 Isaksson, L., 2012. Corporate social responsibility: A study of strategic management
and performance in Swedish firms.
 Martínez, P. and del Bosque, I.R., 2013. CSR and customer loyalty: The roles of trust,
customer identification with the company and satisfaction. International Journal of
Hospitality Management, 35, pp.89-99.
 Tricker, R.B. and Tricker, R.I., 2015. Corporate governance: Principles, policies, and
practices. Oxford University Press, USA.
 Visser, W. and Tolhurst, N., 2017. The world guide to CSR: A country-by-country
analysis of corporate sustainability and responsibility. Routledge.
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