Higher Education Report: Literature Review and CSR Analysis

This report provides a comprehensive overview of literature reviews and corporate social responsibility (CSR). It begins by defining literature reviews, outlining their importance in developing knowledge, and explaining their structured format. The report then delves into the meaning and purpose of CSR, highlighting its significance in enhancing brand image, minimizing costs, boosting employee and customer engagement, and gaining a competitive edge. It also addresses the challenges companies face in implementing CSR, including issues related to human rights, consumer interests, working conditions, and environmental management. The report emphasizes the role of CSR in fostering ethical practices and societal participation. Furthermore, it explores the benefits of CSR for both companies and society, such as improved brand image, cost reduction, and stronger customer relationships. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and emphasizing the importance of CSR in modern business practices. The report is available on Desklib, a platform providing study resources.

STUDY SKILLS
FOR HIGHER EDUCATION

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
Literature Review & its importance............................................................................................1
Literature Review on Corporate Social Responsibility...............................................................2
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
A literature review helps the reader to get an idea about the content and help them to learn from
the research that is done by the writer of the report. However, this project will outline the
meaning and the purpose of literature review which includes the development of knowledge,
providing effective results etc (Lu, Zhao and While.2019). Further, the assignment will outline
the meaning of corporate social responsibility and frames the importance of CSR namely:
enhances brand image, minimizes cost, employee engagement, customer engagement and win
over its competitors etc. On the flip side, the project will comment of CSR faced by various
companies and the communities like issues related to human rights, consumer interest, better
working condition, environment management etc. Eventually, the project will highlight the roles
of corporate social responsibility like increasing a sense of ethical practices, taking participation
in activities of society etc.
Literature Review & its importance
Literature Review (LR)
Literature Review is when research is done on a particular topic or subjects with the
objective of collecting information regarding to that topic, analysing & evaluating collected
information as the gathered information is reliable or not. Literature Review helps in gaining
knowledge of a particular topic and it also helps in finding reasons that why this research is to be
done.
Literature Review is done in the form of research project, objectives & essay which must
highlights weakness & strengths of selected topic or subject. It cannot be presented in the form
of book & article. It is to be presented in an organised structure like an essay such as
Introduction, Main Body and conclusion (Machi, and McEvoy.2016). One who is reviewing
literature 1st need to search on topic and gather detailed information about the subject. This
research can be done through newspaper, libraries, Journals, websites, conference papers and
with the help of internet or electronic data base.
Importance of Literature Review
Literature Review is important as it enables in building relationship of trust with
audience. Reviewing literature is also important because, it eliminates duplication of work For
Example- If someone is thinking to publish their own work in a new paper and it is already

published by any other person in newspaper than there is a need to do new research. Thus, it
helps in avoiding plagiarism. This also important in developing focus & attention of researches
which helps in gathering information in an accurate way.
Literature Review is also beneficial for researchers because, it enables them in knowing
that how well they attached to the topic, which type resources they can use to get more
knowledge about the topic. It also helps in judging oneself as where they are standing in research
field and it is also important in offering support to research process. LR also helps in deciding on
what topic one needs to research, who are the experts in that particular areas on which research
has to be done and how researcher can take their help.
Benefit of LR is it helps researcher in making their research process more effective by
letting them know that on what area more research is required. For Example- According to a
research it is found that listening to music helps in producing new ideas and helps in relaxing
mind but this research does not show that what type of music is beneficial. Thus, further research
helps in finding new results and outcomes. With the help of LR one can find that what type of
methodologies are used in past for the same topic and which method is most suitable for a
particular type research. Thus, it helps in completing the research work on time and in an
efficient manner.
Literature Review on Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR
According to (Booth, Sutton and Papaioannou.2016), Corporate social responsibility is a
model used by many organisation with the purpose of providing benefits to society, companies
stake holders such as government, shareholders, suppliers, customers & competitors. According
to this model companies who uses this model in their business helps society in resolving their
various problems related to environment, economy and social beliefs. CSR is a voluntary
programme as different company develop different type of CSR policy for society.
Every organisation develop CSR policies because it helps companies in their long term
sustainable growth because, society is an asset for firms and if they are satisfied with CSR policy
of that particular company than it enhances profits, market share and customers of company.
These policies helps in maintaining ethical behaviour with in an organisation, companies invest

some of its profits for welfare of public and also donate to charitable trust & non proft
organisations.
According to research it is found that various standards are formed for CSR which
provides guidelines as to how companies can implement CSR in its operations and it also helps
in identifying best policy. International Organisation for Specialisation (ISO), 2010 provides
various standards for implementing corporate social responsibility principles.
Importance
As per the view of (Huang, Cheng and Chen.2017.), Corporate Social Responsibility
model is significant for both company and society because through this model companies can
maximise their profits by getting more customers and customers gets attracted by welfare
programmes done by businesses. CSR is significant because it helps in maintaining environment
and social needs. It is important as it helps companies in providing ethical products which
maximises profit margins of companies. Various significance of corporate social responsibility
for companies & society are discussed below-
Enhances Brand Image- According to policies of CSR companies which contributes to
charities and trust which attracts customers to purchase products & services of those companies
which in turn helps companies in improving its brand image. Because, increase in number of
customers also enhances recognisance of companies brand and creates awareness about
companies products in market.
Minimises cost- By implementing this practice organisations are eliminating use of
packaging material which is harmful for environment which in turn reduces cost of
manufacturing of products. Thus, practice is important for companies (Booth, Sutton, and
Papaioannou.2016).
Beneficial for employees- CSR is important for company as it enhances performance of
employees because if company is implementing policies for protecting human rights and welfare
than employees do their work interestingly. Corporate social responsibility also benefits
employees by providing them better workplace, positive environment and by giving them
motivation.
Helps in building relationship with customers- CSR is also beneficial in building
relationship with customers because if company is using a good practice than it can promote its

products & services through print media, social media and various other online websites which
increases engagement of customers (El-Kassar, Messarra and El-Khalil.2017).
Win over Competitors- Companies who are implementing better CSR policies have an
advantage of getting more customers, increases brand image and market share of company which
helps companies in win over its customers.
Corporate social responsibility also helps in protecting environment and all the decisions
taken by companies are in accordance with changes ion economic situations. Thus, it enables
companies in deciding prices of its products which satisfies customers & society.
Issues
With the increasing sustainability & growth in organisations issues in implementing
corporate social responsibility is also increasing. Various challenges such as increase in demand
for minerals, power & energy leads to various issues for meeting global needs. Issues occurring
in implementing CSR strategies are discussed below-
Issue related to Human Rights- Corporate social responsibility model helps in
protecting rights of individuals but companies who implements CSR in their business has to
follow human rights which can be applied at international level. Thus, it is an issue for
organisations in implementing this practices. If firms who operates their business across the
globe does not follow same human rights practices than it reduces employees engagement in
companies.
Relations with NGO's and other business- The main problem in implementing CSR
practices in companies is they are unable to maintain relationship with companies & charitable
trust operating in other areas or countries. There is an issue in obtaining & considering factors
affecting their operations and business.
Consumer Interest- Interest of consumer is a biggest issue in implementation of CSR
because demand and preferences of customers are variable and they changes according to change
in time. Thus, it is difficult for organisations to change their corporate responsibility model
according to change in interest of society and according to change in beliefs, attitudes and ideas
of people of society (Lee, Cruz and Shankar.2018).
Better Working Condition- Maintaining work environment of organisation and
providing positive work life is necessary if company is implementing CSR model. Thus, firms

faces an issue of maintaining working conditions according to the international labour standards.
According to the provisions of this standard companies has to eliminate child labour, forced
employment and has to give trade union rights to employees.
Environment Management- If an organisation wants to implement Corporate social
responsibility model in its business than it has to follow all the practices which helps in
managing environment (Lu, Zhao and While.2019). Companies faces issues in managing internal
environmental system, maintaining environmental due diligence and in adapting strategies which
is environmental friendly.
Issues related to disclosing Important Information- Organisation which adapting CSR
model in its operation than it has to disclose all the important information such as impact of
various economical, environmental and social factors on company & operations of business to
society. Thus, there is an issue of giving or disclosing information to general public on a timely
basis.
Role Of Corporate Social Responsibility
The role of Corporate social responsibility is any direct and oblique advantages received with the
aid of the community as consequences of social dedication of businesses to the overall social.
According to Yawar, and Seuring.2017 CSR contributes to the proportion the poor
consequences as a result of industrialization which is related to growing sense of more ethical
practices in business procedures of targeted marketplaces. For instance, higher tax is charged for
higher pollution vehicles, that lowers the tax of small car proprietors of the society. However,
small car owners posses lees tax burden and thus, can re-channel the amount saved for greater
efficient uses in the society.
Corporate social responsibility play an important role for the companies who follows the
CSR practices in their business activities, thus, it the companies to get recognition for adopting
CSR practices and can take benefit of their fame and beef up their presence as an entrancing
organization with the aid of making their commitment a part of their reputation for potential
applicants. Moreover, it is observed that when personnel view their company's participation in
social activities then it develops a sense of motivation among the employees that relates with
their better performance. According to Brejning.2016 personnel think that their company should

realise and praise remarkable customer support, respond quickly with their problems and resolve
their issues and are guided by the superiors who act according to the issues of the customers.
Moreover, many multinational companies have adopted CSR practices within their
organisation, as an example, with tasks aimed toward decreasing their activities that leads to
environmental carbon footprint. However, these businesses believe that economic and
environmental activities can be performed together to increase company's growth and reputation.
For example, few MNCs in Malaysia have adopted corporate social practice by creating a slogan
“We green the earth” who have purchased huge golf regions within the location of residential
regions to secure the environment from being eroded (Song and et.al., 2015).
CONCLUSION
This report briefly summarizes about the meaning of literature review and along with that it have
highlighted the purpose of literature review like developing knowledge etc. Further, the project
have framed about meaning of corporate social responsibility and its importance like profit
maximization, enhancing the brand image etc. On the flip side, the assignment have highlighted
about the issues of corporate social responsibility like human rights issue, proper working
surroundings, consumer interest etc. Eventually, the report have outlined about the roles or
corporate social responsibility like encouraging ethical and moral practices etc.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Hart, C., 2018.Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination. Sage.
Lu, H., Zhao, Y. and While, A., 2019. Job satisfaction among hospital nurses: a literature
review. International journal of nursing studies.
Machi, L.A. and McEvoy, B.T., 2016. The literature review: Six steps to success. Corwin
Press.
Booth, A., Sutton, A. and Papaioannou, D., 2016. Systematic approaches to a successful
literature review. Sage.
Huang, M.H., Cheng, Z.H. and Chen, I.C., 2017. The importance of CSR in forming
customer–company identification and long-term loyalty. Journal of Services
Marketing.31(1).pp.63-72.
El-Kassar, A.N., Messarra, L.C. and El-Khalil, R., 2017. CSR, organizational
identification, normative commitment, and the moderating effect of the importance of CSR. The
Journal of Developing Areas.51(3). pp.409-424.
Lee, H.C.B., Cruz, J.M. and Shankar, R., 2018. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
Issues in Supply Chain Competition: Should Greenwashing Be Regulated?. Decision
Sciences.49(6).pp.1088-1115.
Yawar, S.A. and Seuring, S., 2017. Management of social issues in supply chains: a
literature review exploring social issues, actions and performance outcomes. Journal of Business
Ethics.141(3).pp.621-643.
Brejning, J., 2016. Corporate social responsibility and the welfare state: the historical
and contemporary role of CSR in the mixed economy of welfare. Routledge.
Song, H.J.and et.al., 2015. The role of CSR and responsible gambling in casino
employees' organizational commitment, job satisfaction, and customer orientation. Asia Pacific
Journal of Tourism Research.20(4). pp.455-471.