Report on Corporate Social Responsibility and Literature Review

This report offers a comprehensive analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), focusing on its definition, importance, and various aspects within the business context. The report includes a detailed literature review, exploring different perspectives on CSR, its benefits, and challenges. It discusses CSR initiatives, such as community involvement, environmental sustainability, and ethical business practices. The report examines the impact of CSR on stakeholders, including employees, customers, and investors. It also delves into the challenges faced by companies in implementing CSR, such as lack of funds, time constraints, and changing government regulations. Furthermore, the report highlights the importance of aligning CSR with business strategy and building strong partnerships for sustainable business practices. The conclusion summarizes the key findings and emphasizes the significance of CSR in achieving long-term financial success and maintaining a positive brand image. The report also provides insights into the classification of CSR activities and their role in fostering ethical and sustainable business operations.

Study Skills For Higher
Education
A report on Corporate Social
Responsibility

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Literature review ........................................................................................................................1
Literature review on CSR............................................................................................................2
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Literature review can be defined as a research paper that contain a brief
discussion that includes theoretical and methodological summary on a particular project topic,
apart from that it also includes findings related to a topic. Literature review covered many
sources like government, internet websites, books etc. The present study is done on strength ,
omission , weakness of Literature Review. In addition to this nature and scope of LR has been
done in detail. This study also explains Literature review on Corporate social responsibility,
which the major responsibility of all the business as it is mandatory by government for all the
companies(Igwe, Icha-Ituma, and Madichie, 2018).
Literature review
Literature review is the type of scholar paper that contain a briefing and knowledge about
current topic and other findings identified by scholar or researcher. The main purpose of
literature review is to provide knowledge on the topic and finding gaps in research, conflict in
study done previously etc. (Tiba, van Rijnsoever and Hekkert, 2019). In addition to that objective
of literature review is to identify need of additional research, to identify prior scholarship areas
to prevent plagiarism. Thus, literature review is done for the assessment of current state of
research topic that is the most important aspect of literature review in which researcher
identifies the area of the topic and then compare it to previous topic to identify that what is
already known about the topic and how deeply research on the previous topic has been
done(Jamali, Jain and Samara, 2018). The another reason for conducting literature review is
identification of expert on the particular topic as someone who has written more articles related
to a topic will be cited mostly by everyone, so it gets easy for current student or scholar to
identify the expert researcher for the current topic. In addition to this here scholar can identify
the questions that need to be answered and needs further research for the current topic For
example a research may have focused on benefits of the leadership style but the research may
not have its application on different types of firms, so based on previous research now it can be
identified that current scholar needs to focus on the application of leadership style on different
types of firms. Apart from that Literature review also focuses on determining methodologies
used in previous studies, so it gets easier for researcher to identify the type of method that can be
used in its present study (Igwe, Icha-Ituma, and Madichie, 2018).
1

In addition to this literature review have some disadvantages like it requires time and
higher research skills , if research is conducted by the person having low research skills then the
study will lack its importance and facts present in it will not be reliable. In addition to this
sometimes there are changes in circumstances the fact present in the review decrease its
authenticity. Apart from that literature review needs good supervision by teachers for the the
students who are inexperienced in the particular type of research . Sometimes student is unable to
reach to the core element of the research due to lack of information(Tiba, van Rijnsoever and
Hekkert, 2019).
There are three essential categories of literature review the first one is Applied which is
mostly used in government, professionals, business work and which is particularly used for
analysing profitability and marketability that can be changed in future and this kind of literature
review is also used to look at accuracy in similar programs and projects. The second category is
Simple literature review which is the most commonly used by every student or researcher , it is a
kind of overview of research topic that is mostly written at the starting of research projects.On
the other hand there can be Academic literature review , which requires depth study and
conceptual knowledge on the topic to maintain the quality and accuracy of academic study.
(Xiao and Watson, 2019)
The scope of literature review is exclusive and comprehensive and it depends on the
nature of different discipline and assignment. Thus, a literature review can a alone article or it
can be a part of large task and it has a different section in research project or thesis or it may be
a part of introduction. In addition to this literature review can point approaches, themes , theories
, trends of analysis, it also covers and point out the major issues in the field and study theoritical
and methodological strength and weakness of the research topic (Yu, Cao and Tan, 2019).
Literature review on CSR
As per Avram and et.al.,(2018) Corporate social responsibility is a business approach
that focuses on sustainable development. Thus, this concept states that it is the responsibility of
every business to contribute something for the welfare of the environment, society and economy.
There are many companies in UK that have done a great contribute to accomplish their CSR
objective Like Thorton's, a chocolate company have done local charity to the communities and it
is also involved in encouraging community projects and fundraising projects through its staff
member, apart from that it had focused on waste water management to encourage recycling, on
2

energy saving by consuming less electricity and gas etc. Apart from that Avram and et.al.,(2018)
pogrammes which aims at involving with teachers and students of the schools for advanced
improvements and support. Another initiative can be formation of School Governors Network
which aims at increasing skills of staff by conducting development and training session through
experts and members in the network. Also, as per the view of Hart, (2018) progression
mentoring can be another initiative for fulfilling corporate social responsibility which aims at
encouraging young children for education and employment for future. On contrary to that ..Fisch
and Block, (2018) stated Companies can also accomplish the objective of CSR by doing
community work like providing computer education to backward society to improve quality.
Firms with benefits: A systematic review of responsible entrepreneurship and corporate social
responsibility literature. Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management. of
their life. In addition to that Greggs Uk, a largest bakery chain in UK has Greggs foundation
where customers and its employees together raise funds, apart from that they have Club of
Greggs breakfast from which Greggs has been serving school children of UK. According to
Hart, (2018) companies can also contribute to CSR by creating awareness about saving
environment from pollution and can initiate various measures to protect environment like
growing trees , funding in developing playgrounds and parks etc.
According to Cranmer and Brown,(2018) CSR helps in achieving long term financial
success because as company will invest in developing local universities and colleges that will
help company to find talented workforce in its organisation who will contribute in making long
term profit for the business. Apart from that Carlini, and et.al., (2019) says that CSR also gives
cost saving benefits to the company as sustainable environmental practices like manufacturing
products that needs less energy and recycled material , will help business in reducing its cost of
production and ultimately the price of product. By doing CSR activity brand perception of the
customer can be improved by creating positive image of the company Carlini, and et.al., (2019)
states that employee loyalty can be increased by doing CSR activity as employees of the
company who are engaged in CSR activity are more motivated and loyal towards organisation
and as a result these corporation is able to obtain better
quality of employees.
Carlini, and et.al., (2019) states that now every company have to contribute towards CSR
and it has become standard practise for every business, now organisations prepare various
3

strategies for good CSR that includes - aligning CSR to business strategy means CSR activities
should be connected with objective and purpose of business , that should be fit within the
organization's core business functions. The second strategy is to get support from higher level
management, once support from senior staff is received , then other staff member can also be
encouraged to take part in CSR activities. As per Avram and et.al.,(2018) the another strategy
for CSR is to build a future pipeline that companies achieved by connecting with various
communities by helping youth from low income group. In addition to that Igwe, Icha-Ituma, and
Madichie, (2018) states that sustainable and strong partnerships can be another strategy for CSR,
in which companies are connected with outside partners to create more opportunities for its
business. Apart from this companies can take initiative towards development and research as
an CSR activity as a result of which company can bring innovation in its product and services
that is offered to the public.
Corporate social responsibility are classified into following categories , first is Socially
responsible business practices which includes activities like producing non hazardous products ,
offering organic products etc. Also Igwe, Icha-Ituma, and Madichie, (2018)as per cause related
marketing can be another type of CSR that includes charity based donation of goods. Cause
promotion and activism can be another type of CSR activity that includes advocacy campaigns
funded by the company.
As per the view of Igwe, Icha-Ituma, and Madichie, (2018) government has made
legislation in order to improve social and environmental conditions. In such condition it has
become essential for business to follow these legal frameworks. Shrinking government
resources and changing regulations create issues for the firm to fulfil its CSR responsibilities. It
is not every time possible to get engage into voluntary activities, this is cost effective as well.
Thus, this is the major issue for the organization that to link their initiatives with changing
government regulations Jamali, Jain and Samara, (2018) argued that customers like to buy
products from the firm that fulfill its corporate responsibilities successfully. Purchasing decision
of buyers is highly depended upon CSR activities of business. In such condition it becomes
essential for the companies to get attention of customers by organizing such activities. There are
many firms that are now providing funds to disable, poor people so that their social development
can be held. By this way buyers become positive towards the brand and that helps in raising sales
of the organization to great extent.
4

Jamali, Jain and Samara, (2018) states that increasing pressure from investors is another
major issue or challenge related to CSR. Now investors like to invest amount in such companies
that consider ethical aspects or elements. According to Fisch and Block, (2018) lack of funds
and time is major challenge face by companies in order to pursue CSR practices. Now investors
analyses the performance of company on the bases of their CSR activities because this is the way
that supports in creating brand image and generating more profit. Investors believe that if firm is
engaged into such activities then it has potential to grow well in the future and if enterprise is not
performing its social corporate responsibility then it would not be able to sustain in the market
for longer duration. Demand of disclosure is another challenge in CSR, now it has become
essential for business to give in-depth detail about customers, investors, suppliers, employee etc.
so that valid decision can be taken and actual position of the firm can be determined.
Thus, Fisch and Block, (2018)states that CSR does not only help in increasing reputation
of the company but it also support in strengthening the workforce of the company that aids to
future success of the business. On other hand CSR helps in maintaining good relation with
stakeholders and building cooperation between employer and employer, employee and employee
and employer and employee.
CONCLUSION
From the above study it can be concluded that Literature review helps in eliminating
duplication ,also helps in identifying experts of existing research .In addition to that Literature
review has broader scope that can be analysed from above description. On the other hand from
the above study it can be identified that CSR is the essential practice for every business and
every company have their own CSR strategy that is helping it in forming its brand image and
sustainability in long run. On the other hand there are many issues of CSR activities as it
involves huge cost and increases expenses of the company.
5

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Avram, D. O. and et.al., 2018. Exploring the integration of corporate social responsibility into
the strategies of small-and medium-sized enterprises: A systematic literature review. Journal
of cleaner production.
Carlini, J. and et.al., 2019. The corporate social responsibility (CSR) employer brand process:
integrative review and comprehensive model. Journal of Marketing Management, pp.1-24.
Cranmer, L. and Brown, D., 2018. CSR Consulting in the UK: An Industry Evolving. Saïd
Business School WP, 3.
Fisch, C. and Block, J., 2018. Six tips for your (systematic) literature review in business and
management research.
Hart, C., 2018. Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination. Sage.
Hinze, A. K. and Sump, F., 2019. Corporate social responsibility and financial analysts: a review
of the literature.Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal.10(1). pp.183-
207.
Igwe, P. A., Icha-Ituma, A. and Madichie, N. O., 2018. An evaluation of CSR and social value
practices among UK commercial and social enterprises. Entrepreneurial Business and
Economics Review. 6(1). pp.1-18.
Jamali, D., Jain, T. and Samara, G., 2018, July. Understanding CSR Behaviors across the Middle
East: A Review and a Research Agenda. In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol.
2018, No. 1, p. 14485). Briarcliff Manor, NY 10510: Academy of Management.
Niño-Muñoz, D., Galán-Barrera, J. and Álamo, P., 2019. Implementation of a holistic CSR
method with regional scope.Innovar. 29(72). pp.11-30.
Tiba, S., van Rijnsoever, F. J. and Hekkert, M.P., 2019. Firms with benefits: A systematic review
of responsible entrepreneurship and corporate social responsibility literature.Corporate
Social Responsibility and Environmental Management.
Xiao, Y. and Watson, M., 2019. Guidance on conducting a systematic literature review. Journal
of Planning Education and Research. 39(1). pp.93-112.
6

Yu, M., Cao, D. and Tan, J. Y., 2019. CSR-consumption paradox: examination of UK apparel
companies. Journal of Fashion Marketing and Management: An International
Journal. 23(1). pp.124-137.
Online
Corporate social responsibility.2019.[Online].Available
Through<https://www.ed.ac.uk/careers/your-future/options/occupations/csr/what-is-csr>
Six CSR Strategies That Are Good For Business.2019.[Online].Available
Through<https://www.forbes.com/sites/amberjohnson-jimludema/2018/08/15/six-csr-
strategies-that-are-good-for-business/#72e0199a50a8>
7