Critique: Corporate Social Responsibility Article Review and Analysis

This report presents a critical analysis of an article on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The article explores the impact of CSR on employee attitudes and behaviors, emphasizing the role of ethical practices and sustainability initiatives within organizations. The critique examines the article's introduction, literature review, methodology, and conclusion, highlighting key arguments and evidence. The report discusses the importance of employee perception of CSR, personal social actions, and corporate governance. The methodology section evaluates the use of interpretivism and inductive approaches along with the data collection methods. The analysis considers the article's relevance to corporate governance, corporate social reporting, and business ethics, pointing out strengths and limitations in the approach. The report concludes by summarizing the key points and providing an overall assessment of the article's contribution to the understanding of CSR.

CRITIQUE ON A
CORPORATE SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
ARTICLE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
LR....................................................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Corporate social responsibility is predominately the approach as well as method where
organizations manages its ethical, social and sustainability issues in order to function effectively
and leave a positive impact on overall society. This has been one of the most important issue
which have revolutionized the working of organizations and has transformed its operations. The
role of employee in CSR is apprehensive and thus there is a deep relation between corporate
social responsibility and employee's perception.
LR
As per the view of Unit, Star and SmartWay (2015), corporate social responsibility is
basically the management approach which is used by the organizations and thus integrate the
social as well as environmental concerns within their business for maintaining a healthy
interaction with stakeholders. In short, it is the approach wherein organizations are committed to
work towards the interest of different stakeholders. The success as well as failure of any of the
organization mainly depends on various factors and variables like workplace, capital structure,
corporate governance etc. Thus, it becomes highly essential for the companies to review the
performance periodically in accordance with the changing environment. As this activity is
generally related to maintaining the close liaison with stakeholders thus it addresses the actions
which organizations should take for the well-being of these different stakeholders. The most
important relation which CSR within an organization maintains is with the employees as they
form the most important stakeholder and asset for company. The employee attitudes is
imperative while talking of CSR and thus is considered as most important variable for fostering
this management approach. Although CSR work towards the interest of wide variety of
stakeholders but the most significant are the employees.
Employee perception of CSR
CSR motivation
According to Grayson and Hodges (2017), in this particular aspect, the employees tend to
evaluate the activities of their organization once they remain aware of it. The perception of the
employees tend to deviate from the objectives which are being set for success. For example
Starbucks make use of a wide number of objectives for evaluating the performance of CSR
activities like greenhouse gas emissions, recycled paper which mainly relates to employee
satisfaction level. Thus, the main role of employees in this us to understand the significance of

particular activities. Employees endeavours to understand the rationale of the company for
engaging in such types of activities. After understanding it, the employees respond positively
towards the CSR activities carried about by company.
Personal social actions
Personal social actions (PSA) are basically the various individual actions which are taken
for supporting or sponsoring the organizations for their well being and social good. These consist
of wide range of charitable donations which are deducted from the basic salary of employees,
paid internships within non-profit organizations special activities etc. PSA activities generally
does not incorporates the activities of CSR which are done by firm which have no involvement
of employee like community grants, in-kind donations etc. This is the most ethical practice
which is being carried out by the organizations for inculcating a sense of CSR within their
organizations.
Charitable donations
As illustrated by Crane, Matten and Spence (2019), this is one of the most important PSA
which requires the direct involvement if numerous charitable donations and thus are deducted
from employee's salary. Most of the organizations deduct a small amount of money from the
basic salary of employees in the name of sustainable development and thus this helps in the
development of CSR activities within organizations.
Special events
Apart from charitable donations, PSA also incorporates various annual and special events
which are sponsored by wide range of organizations. Through these events, organizations are not
only able to take their brand message to wider audience but also helps them to increase employee
engagement.
Corporate governance
Corporate governance is basically the rules, practices as well as processes which governs
the corporations and organizations. Performing the functions in highly ethical way helps the
organizations to manage their external as well as internal issues. The employees here plays an
important role in doing their activities ethically which will eventually reflect the good image of
organizations.
Methodology
In this study, researcher used two methods which are

Interpretivism research philosophy
As per the view of Wang and et.al.,(2016), this is predominately the research study under
which researchers interpret the elements of study and thus integrates the human interest within
study. Within this, the researcher assumes that approach to reality is basically via social
constructions like language, consciousness, instruments etc. It is the natural approach in data
collection through interviews as well as observations.
Strength
The biggest strength of using this research philosophy lies in its qualitative research like
cross-cultural differences within organizations, leadership, ethics issue etc. The primary data
which is being collected through this research sometimes is associated with great validity and
thus provides the researcher with trustworthy data.
Weakness
The biggest weakness of this research philosophy is that it is subjective in nature and
sometimes makes the platform of baisness for researcher. The primary data that is being
generated within this research cannot be generalized because it is affected by the personal
viewpoints. Along with this, another weakness is that sometimes the reliability of the data is
questionable.
Inductive approach
According to McWilliams (2015), inductive approach begins with various observations
as well as theories that are proposed towards termination of research process as result of
observation. In short, inductive approach is mainly concerned with generation of the new and
different theory that emerges from information collected.
Strength
The main strength of this approach is that this approach is flexible because researcher are
not bound to follow any of the pre-determined data and information. Besides this, another
strength of this research method is that it is qualitative in nature and thus there are no rules and
regulations upon the researcher to follow,
Weakness
The most important weakness of this research which researcher faces is that sometimes
the observation remains incorrect which gives the incorrect conclusion to researchers. Along

with this, another weakness is its limitation as it is limited in scope. Inductive approach in
research begins with single observation and hence is limited in nature.
Data collection
As illustrated by Liang and Renneboog (2017), in order to collect the data, researcher
here has make use of secondary sources. Secondary sources consists of the information which is
already collected by some other users and hence researcher gets the already established data. The
researcher has make use of Internet sources, journals and various magazines relating to corporate
social responsibility.
Strength
The main strength of this source of data collection it saves the times as well as resources
of the researcher as they are not required to collect first hand information. Another strategy of
this source is that it helps in making the collection of primary data more certain and specific
because the information is already present with the researcher.
Weakness
The most important weakness of this source is that the researcher does not have control
over the quality of data. Sometimes the data which is gathered from financial institution does not
grantee the best quality of data. Another weakness is that the researcher gets inappropriate data
which is being collected years ago. Thus, there is always lack of updated data.
CONCLUSION
It has been summarized that CSR is one of the most important part within the
organizations which guides them to work ethically and sustainably. The contribution of CSR in
organizations is apparent and thus shows the commitment of organization towards stakeholders.
The perception of employees varies from organization to organization where they contribute on
their part for making this approach a success. The companies carry out the sustainability within
organization and thus establishes various environmental initiatives for increasing the employee
engagement.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Crane, A., Matten, D. and Spence, L. eds., 2019. Corporate social responsibility: Readings and
cases in a global context. Routledge.
Grayson, D. and Hodges, A., 2017. Corporate social opportunity!: Seven steps to make
corporate social responsibility work for your business. Routledge.
Liang, H. and Renneboog, L., 2017. On the foundations of corporate social responsibility. The
Journal of Finance.72(2). pp.853-910.
McWilliams, A., 2015. Corporate social responsibility. Wiley encyclopedia of management.pp.1-
4.
Unit, B., Star, E. and SmartWay, E.P.A., 2015. Corporate social responsibility.
Wang, H and et.al.,2016. Corporate social responsibility: An overview and new research
directions: Thematic issue on corporate social responsibility.