Analyzing CSR Activities at Expansys PLC: A Business Report

This report analyzes the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Expansys PLC, a UK-based retail organization. The report begins with an introduction to the aims and objectives, focusing on the role of CSR in achieving sustainability and competitive advantage, particularly through recycling. It details a project management plan, including cost analysis, risk assessment, and resource allocation, alongside a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart. Qualitative research, based on employee surveys, explores awareness and satisfaction with CSR activities. The findings highlight employee perceptions of Expansys PLC's CSR efforts, including recycling programs. The research also evaluates employee awareness of CSR and their satisfaction with the company's initiatives. Finally, the report provides recommendations based on the research findings and concludes with a reflective report, offering insights into the study's process and outcomes.

Managing a
successful business

TABLE OF CONTENT
PART 1............................................................................................................................................2
P1 Aims and objectives of Expansys PLC.............................................................................2
P2 Preparing the project management plan............................................................................2
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart......................................................................4
PART 2............................................................................................................................................6
P4 Research through qualitative method................................................................................6
PART 3............................................................................................................................................6
P5 Tool and techniques..........................................................................................................6
P6 Recommendation...............................................................................................................8
P7 Reflective report................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

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PART 1
P1 Aims and objectives of Expansys PLC
Topic: Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and its importance for sustainability and
competitive advantage.
Aim: To study the implementation of CSR activities within retail organisations to meet
sustainable objectives by undertaking the process of recycling as a contending advantage- A
study on Expansys PLC.
Objectives: It is on the basis of above intended purpose of this survey, there exist some well-
defined objectives as stated below-
 To interpret the role of CSR in retail based organisations of UK.
 To assess the enforcement of CSR activities in business to achieve a contending position
in the market with sustainable objectives.
 To analyse the contribution of recycling in fulfilling the CSR of Expansys PLC.
Research questions: It is on the basis of above outlined objectives of this survey, below are the
investigation queries that will in turn assist the surveyor to carry out a directional study. These
research questions are as mentioned below-
 What is the role of CSR in retail based organisations of UK?
 How CSR activities can be enforced to attain a competitive position in the marketplace
with sustainable objectives?
 How recycling can contribute in the fulfilment of CSR for Expansys PLC?
P2 Preparing the project management plan
It is to progress towards a succeeding plan ahead with a well-defined tactic that is in turn
referred to be a suitable way to work with a progressive plan (Jones, Hillier and Comfort, 2014).
This is to support the scholar to create a beforehand blueprint of the study plan where such pre-
planned method will together aid to conduct a guiding work for well-timed execution of the
undertaken goals and objectives. It is thus to construct a successive plan, Expansys needs to
focus on some crucial factors as referred below- Cost- Financial plan of 500 GBP has been fixed by the surveyor to conduct this study. It
is however on the basis of a primary exploration where under this expense, a liable set of
data will be collected as well as documented by the researcher.
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 Risk- Failing to meet the deadline due to a limited time period and budget is referred to
be a leading risk that must be evaded with proper scheduling of both time and fiscal
strategy (Ramanathan, Bentley and Pang, 2014).
 Scope- This study has a greater scope of identifying the factual concept of CSR activities
in retail business organisations by together comprehending its importance in
accomplishing a competing position in the market with sustainable objectives.
 Resources- Resources plays a greater role in gathering likely information to carry out a
guiding investigation with verified outcomes (Leone and et.al., 2016). With a similar
reference to it, the investigator in the current research work has opted for both primary
and secondary sources to collect a liable set of data.
Name of various tasks Time period Beginning Finishing Predecessors
Research project 96 days Thu 3/2/17 Fri 3/3/17
Preparation 20 days Thu 3/2/17 Tue 5/30/17
Probing topic to conduct
investigation 8 days Thu 3/2/17 Mon 3/13/17
Formulating statement for
emphasizing on any
challenging matter
3 days Wed 5/31/17 Fri 6/2/17 3
Assigning resources by with
suitable time frame 9 days Thu 5/18/17 Tue 5/30/17 4
Implementation Plan 56 days Thu 5/4/17 Fri 3/31/17
Choosing Literature review 10 days Thu 5/4/17 Wed 5/17/17 5
Defining research procedure
for study 15 days Thu 4/13/17 Wed 5/3/17 7
Scheming expenses 5 days Mon 4/3/17 Fri 4/7/17 8
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Exploring and understanding
data 17 days Tue 3/21/17 Wed 4/12/17 9
Analysing the findings 9 days Tue 3/21/17 Fri 3/31/17 9
Closure of the project 20 days Fri 3/10/17 Fri 3/3/17
Representing and concluding
results 7 days Fri 3/10/17 Mon 3/20/17 11
Delivering appropriate
recommendations 5 days Thu 3/2/17 Wed 3/8/17 13
Recording the project 6 days Thu 3/2/17 Thu 3/9/17 14
Final proposal 2 days Thu 3/2/17 Fri 3/3/17 15
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart
Work breakdown is basically a structure that depicts a methodical arrangement to
conduct a directional investigation for timely achievement of its aims and objectives. The present
breakdown structure over here is in context to an elected business enterprise called Expansys
PLC as a renowned retail organisation of UK. It is a proven tact that is extremely very useful for
an apt clarification of those activities that are needed to be undertaken for the study. It is though
in agreement of an agreed time period to work upon each stipulated tasks for a systematic
attainment of study goals (Dururu and et.al., 2015). It is where a suitable work breakdown will
timely determine the project wind-up in progress that will in turn reflect a proper administration
of all undertaken activities. Gantt chart is hereby stated as another vital tool with a clear
prediction of time allocation in accord to the proposal. It is together reflected to be a great
supportive tool that helps the surveyor to appropriately go through all distributed tasks to
confirm a well-timed accomplishment of the entire project. Below represented is a graphical
illustration of work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart:
Structure of Work breakdown-
4

Gantt Chart
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PART 2
P4 Research through qualitative method
Name:
Gender:
Age:
1.)Are you aware of Corporate social responsibility activity implemented by your Expansys
Plc
Yes
No
Can’t say
2.) Which type of Corporate social responsibility activity is good for your Expansys Plc
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Recycling
Women empowerment
Health and safety
Green environment
3.) Does your Expansys Plc encourage employees to participate in Recycling corporate social
responsibility activity?
Yes
No
Do not know
4.) Does your company required to provide training facility for making aware of corporate
social responsibility activity?
Yes
No
Do not Know
5.) Are you satisfied with recycling corporate social responsibility activity implemented by
your organizations?
Highly satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Highly dissatisfied
Dissatisfied
Theme 1: Employees are not aware of Corporate social responsibility activity implemented
by Expansys Plc.
1.)Are you aware of Corporate social responsibility activity implemented by your Expansys Plc no. of responde
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Yes 5
No 7
Can’t say 3
15
Interpretations; From the above chart it can be interpreted that there are there are 7
respondent who state that Expansys Plc not make aware to its employees about corporate
social responsibility activity. On the other 5 participant state that they are aware of CSR
activity which is implemented by their organizations. While on said that it did not know
about corporate social responsibility activity which is implemented by the organization.
Hence it show that Expansys Plc not take any responsibility for making its employee aware
of different CSR activity. Further organization need to initiate corporate social responsibility
activity in order to gain competitive advantage and for financial sustainability. If employee
are not aware of all this activity then it may face difficulty in gaining competitive advantage.
Theme 2: Recycling is best corporate social responsibility activity is good for Expansys Plc.
2.) Which type of corporate social responsibility activity is good for your Expansys Plc no. of respondent
Recycling 8
Women empowerment
2
8

Health and safety
3
Green environment
2
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Interpretations; From the above chart it can be interpreted that there are 8 participant who
state that Expansys Plc need to initiate recycling Corporate social responsibility activity
while 3 replied that health and safety of employee is best Corporate social responsibility
activitys. On the other hand there are 2 participant who state that women empowerment is
best activity while 2 said that green environment is one of the best Corporate social
responsibility activity which support organization in gaining competitive advantages. Hence,
it show that all Corporate social responsibility activity are good for organization that if firm
make product which are environment friendly then it can keep its surrounding environment
neat and clean. Furthermore, if organization implement recycling corporate social
responsibility activity then it can make good reputation in market because it help in reducing
the wastage and now a days people want their near by place neat and clean. So this activity is
one of the best for an organizations
Theme 3: Expansys Plc not encourage employees to participate in Recycling corporate social
responsibility activity.
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3.) Does your Expansys Plc encourage employees to participate in
Recycling corporate social responsibility
activity? No. of employees
Yes 4
No 9
Do not know 2
15
Interpretations; From the above chart it can be interpreted that there are 9 participant who
state that Expansys Plc not encourage its employee to take participate in corporate social
responsibility activity. On the other hand there are 4 respondent who state that Expansys Plc
encourage them to take participate in corporate social responsibility activity. While 2 out of
15 do not know about its. Hence it show that Expansys Plc need to make aware its employees
about Corporate social responsibility activity which they implemented within an
organization. It support organization in successfully implementation of CSR activity which
help in gaining competitive advantage. Further if employee participate in Corporate social
responsibility activity then firm can easily increase sale of its product by making customer
aware of CSR activity through the help of employees.
Theme 4: company required to provide training facility for making aware of corporate social
responsibility activity of Expansys Plc.
4.) Does your company required to provide training facility for making aware
of corporate
No. of
employees
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social responsibility activity?
Yes 10
No 4
Do not Know 1
15
Interpretations; From the above chart it can be interpreted that there are 10 employees out of
15 who state that Expansys Plc need to provide its employee training and development
facility in order to make them aware of Corporate social responsibility activity and its
importance. On the other hand there are 4 who state that company not need to provide
training and development facility for making aware of CSR activity while 1 do not know that
company should make aware or not. Hence, it show that if Expansys Plc provide training and
development facility to its employees then it can easily implement Corporate social
responsibility activity with the support of employees. As employee are important for an
organization so they play great role in implementation of CSR activity.
Theme 5: Employees highly dissatisfied with recycling corporate social responsibility
activity implemented by Expansys Plc.
5.) Are you satisfied with recycling corporate social responsibility activity implemented
by your organizations? No. of employees
Highly satisfied 2
11

Satisfied 3
Neutral 1
Highly dissatisfied
6
Dissatisfied 4
15
Interpretations; From the above chart it can be interpreted that there are 11 participant who
are highly dissatisfied with recycling Corporate social responsibility activity implemented by
Expansys Plc, on the other hand there are 5 who are satisfied with it. While one employee is
unable to decide about recycling activity of Expansys Plc, Hence it show that company need
to focus on way of implementing CSR activity in systematic manner. If it enable to
implement successfully then may face loss and unable to gain competitive advantages.
Furthermore it cannot create good image in market, so it need to gain information and then
implement recycling activity.
PART 3
P5 Tool and techniques
Research design
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A research design is set of methods and producers used in collecting and analyzing
measuring of the variables specified in research problem research study. The design of a study
defines the study type and sub-type research problem, hypotheses, independent and dependent
variables, experimental design. This research design helps to find out the main problems of
research by using different types of methods. For conducting research on CSR quantitative and
qualitative both the techniques has been used (Brinkmann, 2014). The quantitative method is
used for the analyzing and collection of data. This method is emphasizing objective
measurements and numerical data analysis which are collected through questionnaires and
surveys. Qualitative Research is primarily exploratory research. It is used to gain an
understanding of underlying reasons, opinions, and motivations. Through this research design
entity can develop ideas to conduct research.
Philosophy of research
A research philosophy is a belief about the way in which data about a phenomenon
should be gathered, analyzed and used. For collecting the data on the CSR various types of
methods has been used. The aim of this research is to gather information regarding to the
implication of CSR and its benefits for the business. For collecting and analyzing data in this
project quantitative and qualitative both methods has been used (Mackey and Gass, 2015). There
are various types of philosophy of research is available such as pragmatism, positivism, realism
and interpretivism. The philosophy of this researches based on quantitative and qualitative
methods. Quantitative method helps to analysis the impact of CSR on entity’s growth and
qualitative method helps to analysis impact of CSR of different aspects such as leadership style
and other things.
Research approach
There are various types of research approach are available for conducting research on
CSR. Different types of method are used for conducting this research for this research
quantitative as qualitative method is used. Through this research approach firm are able to make
analysis of data and collection of data. Under this method the qualitative method is used.
Qualitative method is used for research. This method is generally associated with the social
constructive paradigm. It is about recording, analyzing and attempting uncover deeper meaning
and significance of CSR polices. The approach which is used under qualitative method is
inductive approach. Data collected under this method through observations or focused group
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(Silverman, 2016). This approach provide in depth knowledge regarding to corporate social
responsibilities. Researchers are interested in gaining a rich and complex understanding of the
CSR implication and their impacts on business firm.
Data collection
Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information on targeted
variables in an established systematic. The data collection component of research is common to
all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities and business. It helps
scientists and analysts to collect the main points as gathered information. There are different
types of methods or approaches are available for collecting data. There are mainly two types of
sources available for collecting data i.e. primary source and secondary source. Primary method in
which data are collected through the fresh source and in secondary source data are collected
through the publish books, journals or internet (Taylor, Bogdan and DeVault, 2015). For
implementing CSR polices both the source of data collection has been used by the researchers.
Through this method researchers get exact knowledge of implication of CSR polices.
Data Analysis
Analysis refers to breaking a whole into its separate components for individual
examination. Data analysis is a process for obtaining raw data and converting it into information
useful for decision-making by users (Mackey and Gass, 2015). There are various steps are
included in data analysis. The data analysis process started with the collection of data in which
data are collected from different source of information and then data are cleaning and processing.
For analyzing of there are various types of tools and techniques are available which are used by
researchers to analyses data.
Research limitations
There are various types of limitation which apply on research study. For conducting the
research on CSR polices there are some limitations. The collected of data which are collected
through from different source are not reliable (Brinkmann, 2014). Data are collected from
primary and secondary source. There is significant obstacle in finding a trend and a meaningful
relationship. Along with this there sample is not too large which limit research study. For
conducting research on implication of CSR polices sample size should be large so significant
relationships can be established. Apart from this there are some other limitations are as well such
as lack of proper research studies on CSR polices
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P6 Recommendation
Expansys PLC is Retail Company. The company is trying to implementing recycling in
its CSR policies. There are many organization which are implementing recycling in its CSR
polices through which they are promoting waste management in its business operations.
However, there are some areas where improvement is needed. Some of recommendations are
given below.
The first step for recycling products is making environmental friendly products which can
be easily disposed. Expansys PLC need to adopt such practices in its CSR policies which
promotes environmentally friendly practices. In this the organization can reduces or limit the
proactive products, packaging design and also work with sustainable suppliers. With the help of
holistic approaches, Expansys PLC organization can leverage resources to expand recycling
programs drive design for recycling. Along with the entity can also reuse resources so less waste
can be created and CSR polices can be effectively manage in firm. Expansys PLC is Retail
Company which makes different types of retail products for its consumers. For making such
products they can use different types of resource’s such as energy, water and emissions. Firm can
take several types of initiatives such as clean energy, reduces footprint. At last, organization can
also focus on green project in which they reduces carbon emissions product. By reducing carbon
from the product or services they can make environmentally products.
P7 Reflective report
With a major assistance of this investigation, I have hereby got a significant chance of
enlightening myself about CSR activities in a business along with the importance of its
enforcement. Herein, this research work was conducted with scheduled approach by electing a
retail organisation called Expansys PLC. It is with the help of this survey; I have got a prompt
chance of gaining a substantial understanding about the strategies of project management with a
fundamental use of varied models in regard to it. A prior use of these models have in turn aided
me to edify myself the way in which the associated activities to carry out a project can be
effortlessly parted into minor portions for a logical work. Additionally, this study has in turn
provided me a pivotal chance of recognizing the technique in which the CSR activities can make
a huge contribution in achieving overall organisational aims and objectives. Beside this, it
together strengthens the position of an entity in a contending set of market with an increased
brand recognition and higher level of sales and profits.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Brinkmann, S., 2014. Interview. In Encyclopedia of Critical Psychology (pp. 1008-1010).
Springer New York.
Dururu, J. and et.al., 2015. Enhancing engagement with community sector organisations working
in sustainable waste management: A case study. Waste Management & Research. 33(3). pp.284-
290.
Jones, P., Hillier, D. and Comfort, D., 2014. Assurance of the leading UK food retailers'
corporate social responsibility/sustainability reports. Corporate Governance. 14(1). pp.130-138.
Leone, L. and et.al., 2016. Corporate responsibility for childhood physical activity promotion in
the UK. Health promotion international, 31(4). pp.755-768.
Mackey, A. and Gass, S.M., 2015. Second language research: Methodology and design.
Routledge.
Ramanathan, U., Bentley, Y. and Pang, G., 2014. The role of collaboration in the UK green
supply chains: an exploratory study of the perspectives of suppliers, logistics and
retailers. Journal of Cleaner Production. 70. pp.231-241.
Silverman, D. ed., 2016. Qualitative research. Sage.
Smith, J.A. ed., 2015. Qualitative psychology: A practical guide to research methods. Sage.
Taylor, S.J., Bogdan, R. and DeVault, M., 2015. Introduction to qualitative research methods: A
guidebook and resource. John Wiley & Sons.
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