Business Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability in Burberry

This report analyzes business ethics, responsibility, and sustainability within the clothing industry, with a specific focus on Burberry. It examines the challenges associated with corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, including policy inconsistencies, social commitment, economic engagement, employee behavior, and transparency. The report also identifies best practices for addressing ethical and moral issues, such as engaging workers, fostering commitment, and seeking clarity. Furthermore, it provides recommendations for the clothing industry to enhance its responsibility, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct for brand image, employee productivity, and long-term sustainability. The report concludes by highlighting the need for businesses to adopt responsible practices to navigate ethical dilemmas and achieve sustainable growth.

Business Ethics
Responsibility and
Sustainability

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
It is analysed that business ethics responsibility and sustainability should be maintained
by every business so that they can maintain their brand image. Businesses should follow proper
code of conduct so that they can overcome the ethical issues from their business. It is evaluated
that safe and ethical working environment should be maintained so that employees can improve
their productivity. Acceptable behaviour can be maintained when organisation opt for corporate
social responsibilities. This involves activities which can assist them in adopting changes and
also helps in rapid growth and expansion. Organisation can effectively establish their brand
image in global world along with sustaining for longer time period. In this report it is evaluated
about the challenges of corporate social responsibilities and sustainability of the organisations.
Best practices are also analysed in this report which can businesses can implement in order to
overcome the ethical and moral issues. Recommendations are also mentioned that help
businesses in becoming more responsible.

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................2
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................4
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................4
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................4
Critically discuss the challenges which is related to corporate social responsibility and
sustainability related to clothing industry...................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................7
Analyse and discuss what are the best practices within the clothing industry in context to
ethical and moral issues..............................................................................................................7
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................10
Recommendations for the clothing industry so that they become more responsible................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES:.............................................................................................................................12
Books and Journals...................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Business ethics refers to the formulation and implementation of procedures and policies
so that they can control bribery, fraud, corporate governance and discrimination. It is necessary
that businesses should maintain their moral standard so that they can work in effective manner. It
is responsibility of businesses that they should maintain safe and positive work environment so
that they can engage employees in effective manner (Rendtorff, 2019). Following all the
business ethics and responsibilities help businesses in longer sustainability in market. All these
positive factors help in maintaining proper coordination between social, environmental and
financial resources which ensures the successful ethics, responsibilities and sustainability. This
report is based on Burberry which is a part of clothing industry. It was founded in 1856 by
Thomas Burberry and headquartered in London. They provide high quality clothes in all over the
world and famous for their trench coats. This report will include key challenges which is related
to corporate responsibilities and sustainability related to the industry. Best practices are
explained in this report in the reference to moral issues and ethics. At the end, recommendations
are mentioned so that businesses can operate in more ethical and responsible manner.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
Critically discuss the challenges which is related to corporate social responsibility and
sustainability related to clothing industry.
Corporate social responsibility refers to the aims of business which they have to fulfil in
the accountability to their stakeholders, customers along with themselves. Companies who
perform corporate social responsibilities they create positive impact on economic, society,
environmental and social factors. This model help businesses in establishing their brand image so
that they can achieve various competitive advantages (Tormo-Carbó, Seguí-Mas, and Oltra,
2018). Burberry also follows corporate social responsibilities which help them in achievement of
their goals and targets in effective manner. They use various media platforms to promote their
corporate social responsibilities campaign. Burberry can attract large number of customers by
maintaining their positive corporate social responsibilities in effective manner. They contribute
their efforts to overcome the social and environmental problems. It helps them in commencing

their operations in ethical and responsible manner so that they can eliminate various risk and
problems. They have used various advanced technologies in order to renew resources which
helps in minimizing wastage in the environment. Purchasing carbon offset helps Burberry in
maintaining their proper supply chain and eliminate unethical labour practices. Burberry follow
all the rule and regulations regarding their employees by providing them enough salaries, wages,
benefits and other perks. Burberry also contribute their earnings in charities and trust so that they
can help needy people of the society.
Sustainable business minimize their negative impact and maintain positive impact on the
environment, economy, community and society which helps them in achieving their goals in
sustainable manner. Burberry uses tools and techniques which help them in eliminating wastage
from the society which results in potential utilisation of resources (De Stefano, Bagdadli, and
Camuffo, 2018). They manufacture clothes by maintaining proper set of procedures which
maintain the level of pollution in environment. They have adopted clean energy practices so that
they can create better place for all living beings in effective manner. They arrange various
campaigns which suggest that businesses should conserve water and non renewable resources
which help in maintaining balance in an environment. Burberry uses sustainable material and
products in their production practices which make them one of the leading clothing brands in all
over the world. Although Burberry effectively using their corporate social responsibility and
sustainability which provides them benefits but there are some of the challenges which is faced
by them which are discussed below:
Different department formulate the different policies: Each and every department of
the organisation develop their individual policies, plans and strategies according to their
operations. It results in lack of interconnection with each other which may affect the strategies of
corporate social responsibilities. Burberry also facing in the commitment of their policies
regarding corporate social responsibilities (Fornes, and et.al 2019). This challenge sometimes
leads to miss communication and poor coordination because some employees do not contribute
their efforts in the improvement of the operations. Burberry should make flexible strategies
which can suit the environment of all the departments. Managers should transform themselves in
more creative manner rather then specific so that they can involve all the departments of an
organisation in corporate social responsibilities.

Social commitment: In order to maintain the responsibilities and sustainability,
organisations commit over to their customers, stakeholders, clients and competitors. This become
challenge for them because sometimes due to lack of resources and knowledge, employees
perform operation in unethical manner. Employees of Burberry unable to follow existing or
predefined rules and regulations which become major challenge for them. They should maintain
desired and required quality of their clothes in order to meet the demand of their customers in
sustainable manner. To overcome this challenge, Burberry should maintain proper flow of
communication in terms of productive and extractive which encourage in smooth flow of
operations. They should involve themselves in various social and cultural projects so that they
can maintain proper corporate social responsibilities and sustainability.
Economic engagement: Most of the organisations operate their businesses to earn profits
and revenues. Maintaining profitability and corporate social responsibilities side by side becomes
difficult for organisations (Crane, and et.al 2019). Burberry formulate strategies formulation
corporate social responsibilities in initial stages but those strategy sometimes affect their
profitability. They have to make strong production chain so that they can maintain proper flow of
operations in their business. Burberry have to maintain good relations with their suppliers so that
they can produce high quality products in cost effective manner. Their suppliers should also
make partnership with business in socially responsible manner which help them. Following the
code of conduct along with maintaining profitability helps Burberry in maintaining the reputation
in global market.
Change in employee behaviour: Employees contribute their efforts in order to gain high
returns. They do not adopt changes easily which are formulated to carry out corporate social
responsibilities in business. They perform operations which can match their principles and
morale so that they can feel satisfied at work place (Seto-Pamies, D. and Papaoikonomou, 2020).
Employees of Burberry also resistant to change their behaviours for some of the operations
which do not provide them high returns. It is essential to train the employees so that they
understand the importance of sustainability and corporate social responsibilities so that they can
contribute their positive efforts in operations. Burberry should hire employees who possess skills
to adapt changes according to the social and environmental needs which help them in higher
revenue generation. This will also assist them in improving their work environment which can
satisfy the personal needs of individuals along with organisational needs.

Lack of transparency: While performing corporate social responsibilities and
sustainability, organisation face challenges in disclosure of their confidential data and
information (Stahl, and et.al 2019). Stakeholders, suppliers, customers, communities, employees,
activist organisations and investors demand the inside information of an organisation. Burberry
also face this issue while performing the operations for sustainability because all these factors
wants to understand their actual position in market. They demand for their profits and losses so
that they can evaluate whether to maintain relation or invest in particular firm or not. Burberry
should only disclose data that is relevant for their respective stakeholders and communicate
which maintain an ethical gap between confidential data.
TASK 2
Analyse and discuss what are the best practices within the clothing industry in context to ethical
and moral issues.
Best practices refers to set of ethics, guidelines and ideas that help businesses in
commencing their operations in ethical and successful manner. Organisations who formulate best
practices are regulators, authorities, governing bodies and self regulatory organisations. These
practices shows roadmap and guides organisation in order to overcome the threats, risks and
problems in effective manner. Burberry also implement best practices in their organisation but
they involve research and development which includes overall industry and competitors so that
they can effectively develop them (Rendtorff, 2019). After formulation of best practices
organisation should communicate those standards to their employees, so that they can adopt
changes and evaluate them in effective manner. It is essential to formulate best practices for
clothing industry so that they can maintain high quality of their products along with maintaining
cost effective operations. It helps them in cutting down excessive cost which can affect the
profitability of over all organisation. Their are various best practices which Burberry follow in
order to maintain ethical and moral issues which are as follows:
Engage workers: Organisations should maintain positive work environment which can
motivate their employees to contribute their efforts in desired manner. They should focus on the
utilisation of available resources in effective manner so that they can ethically maintain the
balance in environmental and social factors (Sahar, Zulkifli, and Zakaria, 2018) . It is important
for the sustainability of the business in longer run so that they can achieve their prescribed

targets. Employees of Burberry should stay productive and enthusiastic so that they can achieve
the missions and vision of their respective company (Dathe, and et.al 2022). Engaged workers
can contribute in more ethical manner which can eliminate issues and problems from the
organisation. Managers of Burberry should keep track on the operations of their employees so
that they can ensure that operations are performed in ethical manner or not.
Stay committed: Employee should maintain proper trust, loyalty and commitment in
their organisation so that they can contribute their positive efforts in required manner. Clothing
industry requires more innovative and creative ideas and thoughts which can be provided by their
employees in ethical manner which can attract large customer base. Lack of commitment may
results in ethical and moral issues which should be eliminated by the effective coordination and
communication. Trusting each other helps in sharing of opinions and views on common
platforms so that employees can collectively resolve the problems. Burberry ensure commitment
in their organisation which help employees in taking initiative for the rising conflicts and
problems which creates positive and ethical working environment.
Seek clarity: Ethical issues and problems can be easily resolved with the help of
clarification of thoughts and ideas. In order to perform in ethical manner, managers should
communicate with their employees each and everything including values, goals, vision, mission
and objectives of the company (Arnold, and Bowie, 2019). This assist them in reducing mistakes
and errors from the operations which helps in saving essential resources, time and cost. Burberry
maintains coordination among their employees by arranging proper meetings and sessions which
help in conveying messages and ideas. This help all the employees in performing operations in
particular direction by following all the ethical rules and regulations. Clarity helps Burberry in
providing services to their targeted audience in more effective and efficient manner without any
moral issues.
Focus on team work: Organisation who promote team works possess greater chances in
reducing moral issues so that they can perform in ethical manner. Employees should focus on
contributing positive efforts which helps in achievement of goals and objectives in required
manner. Each and every individual member of team possess different quality and skills that help
over all organisation in commencing their activities and task in ethical manner. Burberry focus
on the retention of their employees by satisfying their needs and wants which help them in
adapting dynamic changes. It eliminates the factor of distraction which affect the profitability

and growth of an organisation. Burberry train their employees so that they can understand the
importance of ethical operations in an organisation. Employees of Burberry adopt policies and
strategies which can eliminate ethical and moral issues of the society along with their
organisation.
Arrange regular meetings: Business plans should be formulated with the involvement
and presence of all the managers of the organisation so that they can decide what is wrong and
what is right for their business. Managers of Burberry formulate strategic and tactical meetings
so that they can enhance their productivity by overcoming ethical issues and problems (Sroka
and Szántó, 2018). They should gather information and data so that they can discuss the relevant
topic which is related to ethical and moral issue. All the departments of Burberry arrange
meetings according to their schedule so that they can discuss on the factors which are affecting
their operations. They expand enough resources and time which help in effective resolution of
the focused problem. In order to gather information, manager of Burberry take reviews and
feedbacks from their employees so that they can make strategies to alter the ethical issues.
Create culture cohesiveness: It involves the promotion of shared values and beliefs
which help organisation in engaging employees in best possible manner. Organisations can
eliminate and reduce ethical issues by involving employee's contribution in effective manner
which help in making ethical operations in an organisation (Upadhyay, and et.al 2021). This
practice help Burberry in increasing the productivity of their employees by discussing the vision
and core values of the business. Employees of Burberry share values so that they can collectively
fulfil the requirements of business. They involve and hire diversified workforce of different
gender, race and socio economic status employee which share their unique thoughts and views
which assist in formulation of ethical practices. Cultural cohesiveness can help all the employees
in maintaining strong team which creates positive work environment.
Reward efforts: Organisations should give rewards to their employees of their success
and achievement because it helps in encouraging their morale. Unrecognised efforts may
demotivate employees which lead to downfall of the profitability (Stonkutė, Vveinhardt, and
Sroka, 2018). Burberry always appreciate the efforts of their employees by giving them rewards
according to their performances. Appreciation can help them in higher productivity which can
maintain accuracy in the operations. Positive impact of reward help Burberry in establishing their
brand image which help them in gaining various competitive advantages. Employees feel more

valued when managers provide them rewards on this good efforts. It can also develop the sense
of loyalty and trust between employees and organisation.
TASK 3
Recommendations for the clothing industry so that they become more responsible
Businesses should work according to the standards which they have to maintain for their
ethical and responsible operations. Burberry also formulate rules and regulations which help
them in commencement of smooth operations. There are some of the recommendations which
can help businesses in becoming more responsible which are as follows:
• Businesses should develop ethical standard in formal manner so that they can accept their
respective environment in better manner. Burberry should create a code of ethics which
can eliminates miss understandings and confusions. Every employee should work on the
same page which can maintain uniformity in their operations. It helps over all
organisation in maintaining sustainability and responsibility in ethical manner.
• Organisations should ensure that leaders should behave in particular manner which can
reduce mistakes and errors (Hermes, and Rimanoczy, 2018). Behaviour of leaders
creates great impact on the mind of employees as it helps in performing operations in
ethical manner. Ethical behaviour of employees create positive envir9onment which can
help in achievement of various competitive advantages.
• Managers of organisation should provide opportunity for open communication in an
organisation so that they can resolve conflicts in ethical manner. Sharing of ideas and
thoughts can help in better work environment which can satisfy the needs of each and
every individual.

CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that businesses should conduct activities
which can provides benefits to all the factors of society including organisation itself,
environment, clients, stakeholders and competitors. They should use resources in potential
manner so that organisation can eliminate wastage and depletion of resources. All the
organisations should maintain good relation with their shareholders so that they can maintain
good and healthy relation in the market. Sustainability includes improving the satisfaction of
customers so that businesses can earn revenue generation for longer period of time. Employees
should trained in desired manners so that they can perform practices in more ethical manner
which eliminates the risk of ethical issues. Sustainability and ethics are both interrelated with
each other as it plays major role in the profitability of an organisation. This report included about
ethics and responsibilities along with their key challenges which organisations have to face. It
also include best practices which help industry in overcoming the challenges and moral issues in
effective manner. At the end recommendations are also mentioned that how can businesses can
adopt ethical operations for sustainability.

REFERENCES:
Books and Journals
Rendtorff, J.D., 2019. Philosophy of management and sustainability: Rethinking business ethics
and social responsibility in sustainable development. Emerald Group Publishing.
Tormo-Carbó, G., Seguí-Mas, E. and Oltra, V., 2018. Business ethics as a sustainability
challenge: Higher education implications. Sustainability, 10(8), p.2717.
De Stefano, F., Bagdadli, S. and Camuffo, A., 2018. The HR role in corporate social
responsibility and sustainability: A boundary‐shifting literature review. Human Resource
Management, 57(2), pp.549-566.
Fornes, and et.al 2019. Ethics, Responsibility, and Sustainability in MBAs. Understanding the
motivations for the incorporation of ERS in less traditional
markets. Sustainability, 11(24), p.7060.
Crane, and et.al 2019. Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the
age of globalization. Oxford University Press, USA.
Seto-Pamies, D. and Papaoikonomou, E., 2020. Sustainable development goals: A powerful
framework for embedding ethics, CSR, and sustainability in management
education. Sustainability, 12(5), p.1762.
Rendtorff, J.D., 2019. Sustainable development goals and progressive business models for
economic transformation. Local Economy, 34(6), pp.510-524.
Dathe, and et.al 2022. Sustainability Management and Social Responsibility in the Value Chain.
In Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Sustainability and Environmental Social
Governance (ESG) (pp. 23-28). Springer, Cham.
Arnold, D.G. and Bowie, N.E., 2019. Ethical theory and business. Cambridge University Press.
Sroka, W. and Szántó, R., 2018. Corporate social responsibility and business ethics in
controversial sectors: Analysis of research results. Journal of Entrepreneurship,
Management and Innovation, 14(3), pp.111-126.
Stonkutė, E., Vveinhardt, J. and Sroka, W., 2018. Training the CSR sensitive mind-set: The
integration of CSR into the training of business administration
professionals. Sustainability, 10(3), p.754.
Hermes, J. and Rimanoczy, I., 2018. Deep learning for a sustainability mindset. The
International Journal of Management Education, 16(3), pp.460-467.
Upadhyay, and et.al 2021. Blockchain technology and the circular economy: Implications for
sustainability and social responsibility. Journal of Cleaner Production, 293, p.126130.
Sahar, E., Zulkifli, N. and Zakaria, Z., 2018. Corporate governance integration with
sustainability: a systematic literature review. Corporate Governance: The international
journal of business in society.
Stahl, and et.al 2019. Ethics in corporate research and development: can responsible research and
innovation approaches aid sustainability?. Journal of Cleaner Production, 239, p.118044.