CSR Project: Aston Chemicals

This project report details a study on implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within organizations to achieve sustainable objectives. The research focuses on Aston Chemicals, a chemical distribution firm, and investigates the role of stakeholders in deploying CSR. The project includes a project management plan, work breakdown structure, Gantt chart, and both qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Qualitative data was gathered through interviews with executives from 25 UK-based SMEs, while quantitative data came from a survey of 50 Aston Chemicals stakeholders. The analysis reveals that most SMEs are aware of CSR and prioritize environmental protection and employee policies. Recommendations include creating a green space, improving waste disposal, and adopting solar power. The project also explores the value of the research and the learning outcomes, highlighting the positive impact of CSR on organizational reputation and stakeholder relationships.

Assignment Name: Implementing CSR activities within organisations to meet
sustainable objectives
Student’s Name:
Student’s ID:
Professor’s Name:

Table of Content
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1:.............................................................................................................................................3
P1: Devising an aims and objectives of the project on a given scenario addressing the chosen tile
as specified above............................................................................................................................3
P2: Production of project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope, time, quality,
communication, risk and resources for the chosen project..............................................................4
P3: Production of work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for providing timeframes and
stages for completion with reference to the chosen project.............................................................5
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................7
P4: Research via Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis.................................................................7
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................14
P5: Analysis of the data collected and findings of the study.........................................................14
P6: Recommendations...................................................................................................................15
Task 4:...........................................................................................................................................16
P7: Reflect on the value for undertaking the research to meet the requirement objectives and the
learning and performance..............................................................................................................16
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................16
References List:.............................................................................................................................17
Appendices:...................................................................................................................................19
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Introduction
CSR is a regulatory methodology in the world of business. This method ensures that the business
run by any organisation complies with the national laws, social ethics, environmental obligations
as well as the international laws. A company’s motive should not only be gaining through
business. However, all the organisations owe some considerate responsibilities to the society and
environment. CSR activities help the companies create positive impact on the environment as
well as the various stakeholders like customers, communities, employees, shareholders and
others.
The small scale industries have been analysed to have great potential to bring about changes in
the whole scenario of CSR. The study will focus on the role of the different stakeholders of the
company in deploying the corporate social responsibilities within the organisation. The study
will help the researchers develop a better framework of CSR in the SMEs in the near future. The
next part of the study will highlight on some recommendation as how to efficiently use CSR for
sustainable development.
Task 1:
P1: Devising an aims and objectives of the project on a given scenario
addressing the chosen tile as specified above
From the given scenario the aim of the company Aston Chemicals which is the firm of
distribution of chemicals is to research the CSR activities the organization. As said by Epstein et
al. (2014), the approach of CSR is very important because it helps the firms to anticipate and
also helps in addressing the issues involved with the interaction with other firms and this helps in
the improvement of the business firms. As coined by Walker and Jones (2012), CSR helps the
firms to identify and also quantify different types of specific risk. It helps in the improvement in
the reputation of the management by addressing the issues of the CSR as a supply chain
partnership. It also helps to increase the ability to recruit, retaining and developing of every
employee using different CSR methods like ‘family friend policy’. According to Prno and
Slocombe (2012), Usage of CSR in one of the respective company helps in the improvement in
the innovation, positioning and competition of the market against the other firms. As said by
Gopalakrishnan et al. (2012), different types of researches like surveys of the whole workforce
and the interviews among the three respective managers to check whether using of CSR is
benefiting both the employees and the organization. Also study must be made whether apply of
CSR is cost saving for the organization and also whether it helps in the increase in the efficiency
of operation through the systematic approach. As said by Roca and Searcy (2012), CSR helps in
the improvement of citizens and the stakeholders for the understanding of different firms and
objectives for transferring into improved relations between the stakeholders. However it is been
research that whether the strategy of using CSR offers the benefits to companies and also
whether it has a positive contribution to the respective society. As said by Benn et al. (2014), it
checks whether it is providing a business opportunity for the firms to show their reputation in the
business market. Also it must be seen whether the companies are recognizing and also respecting
the difference of the social and cultural terms of the firms and also maintaining the consistent
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standards and policies properly. In the given research also it must be check that whether the
organization following the state laws and accordingly implementing the CSR. According to
Baumgartner (2014), it is seen the following factors helps in the success of firms are
globalization, sustainable development, governance, communication, impact in the corporate
sector, also effects in the finance and ethic views.
The different objectives are:
 To develop a CSR strategy for the respective company
 To develop a sustainable development of the firm according to the project
 To develop an integrated decision making under CSR approach
 To establish different mechanisms for addressing problematic behavior
P2: Production of project management plan that covers aspects of cost, scope,
time, quality, communication, risk and resources for the chosen project
As said by Ahi and Searcy (2013), in the project management plan first it has to be implied the
CSR assessment of the project which must be some by one of the leader of the management by
introducing the different toolkits for the SMEs. With the help of the executives, they can able to
recognize the different sort of problems related to the CSR and the challenges and opportunities
of the related project assessment. It is being done by gathering the information about the firm’s
services, products, activities and different decision making process in respect to the CSR
activities. As coined by Hahn et al. (2015), the key benefits which can be found in terms of
CSR, it helps in the improvement for better implementation and anticipation of different risk
factors affecting the firm. By assessing the different risk factors of the firm, they can able to
improve the supply security and the overall stability of the market. Also considering the parties
interest of the impact of the firms, this gives a perfect way for assessing and managing the risk.
Using CSR can also help in the increase of the reputation of the management by performing well
in regards to the CSR. According to Jones (2014), equity of brand can be found on the values
like trust, credibility, consistency and quality. Some of the firms do not have exposure with the
brands directly. the reputation of the firm is being address through CSR issues as supply chain
management partners. As said by Crane and Matten (2016), this project will help to benefit the
ability of the employees in terms of recruitment, retention and development. It is done by
obtaining the feedback from the stakeholders for getting the rich source of new plans for
markets, products and processes. It helps in measuring the opportunity like avoiding the
maximum risk. As said by Ameer et al. (2012), CSR also helps to improve in the ability to build
and attract more relationships between the firms for efficient in the supply chain management.
These relationships in the companies can help to build a long term profitable business for the
firm and also helping in reducing the risk and increasing the standard of the business. Using this
strategy it can help to stimulate the smaller firms by the help of large firms for implementing the
CSR approach. As said by Font et al. (2012), it is found that incorporating a proper business plan
with a good approach of CSR can up bring a good management among the employees in the
firm. Government use CSR approach to decide the export related contracts for assistance which
plays a great benefit for the firm. As said by Rosen and Kishawy (2012), both the qualitative
and quantitative research is being done under the project for getting the possible outcome
whether the firm will get any benefits in terms of products, service, cost etc. The main scope of
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the project is to use the concept of plantation in a selected area and also funding to the children
for education, food and clothing whose families are under poverty line.
P3: Production of work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart for providing
timeframes and stages for completion with reference to the chosen project
Activities Research
during Selection of
research topic
First
Wee
k
Secon
d
Week
Thir
d
Wee
k
Fourt
h
Week
Fifth
Wee
k
Sixth
Wee
k
Sevent
h Week
Methodology
followed in the
research

Collection of
primary data for the
research

Collection of
secondary data for
the research

Quantitative Data
Analysis and
interpretation

Qualitative Data
Analysis and
Interpretation

Findings 
Conclusion and
recommendation of
the research study

Submission of the 
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research
Figure 1: Gantt chart of the project
Created By: Self Made
In the given Gantt chart every work must be done according to the given schedule which is being
conducted by the company Aston Chemicals. In the first task the team leader must follow the
different methodologies which are being applied for the project for the better CSR approach in
the firm. On the second week the primary research is done from the managers of different firms
for perfect study in the CSR approach and the information need to be noted properly. In the third
week well organized research must be done through different websites, online journals and
different types of books which explain the process of CSR. In the respective fourth week both
the qualitative and quantitative analysis is being done by the help of survey of total workforce
and interview of 50 people is done for the process. In the fifth week proper analysis must be
done according to the interviews and survey. On the sixth week both the conclusion and
recommendation must be given from the data analysis for any further research of the project and
on the last week total submission of the project must be submitted to the higher authorities.
Figure 2: Work Breakdown Structure of the project
(Created By: Self Made)
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In the work breakdown structure given by the company Aston Chemicals, the evaluation of the
project must be done according to the given steps. In the first step one must understand the
different approaches of the CSR method which can bring benefits to the firm. In the second step
one must find a strategy for the approach of this project and it initiation by studying the approach
of CSR. Then the approach must be developed and implemented according to the given schedule
in Gantt chart for the data analysis. In the last step the overall outcome is being explained for any
further research of the project
Task 2
P4: Research via Quantitative and Qualitative Analysis
Understanding the aims and objectives of Aston Chemicals in the scope of Corporate Social
Responsibility, a small scale survey and interview was conducted. A qualitative analysis was
conducted by interviewing executives of 25 UK based SMEs. The quantitative analysis was done
on 50 stakeholders of Aston Chemicals.
Interview Questionnaire
The data was collected by a question-answer session with managerial ranked executives of 25
SMEs. The results are given in the tables below:
Result of CSR in SMEs
1. Do you have the knowledge of the theme of Social Responsibility?
A: 17 executives stated that they know the principles of CSR and apply them in their company.6
executives stated that do not have the idea of the topic so well.
None of them said that they had no idea about CSR.
Result of CSR being important for the company
2. Which area of CSR is the most important for your company?
A: 7 executives answered ‘Employee policies’. 5 executives choose ‘Customer relationship and
relationship with the suppliers’ as the option and 8 of them said ‘Protection of environment’ is
their main CSR area of operation.
Result of CSR activities used by the SMEs
3. Which CSR actions were used by your organisation till date?
A: 4 of them chose ‘Ethics Code’, 9 answered ‘Social budget implementation’, and 1 of them
chose ‘Certification in Ethics’. 2 executives said ‘Social partnership regarding good causes’ and
5 of them stated that they had adopted ‘Business Foundation’.
Result of CSR activities that helped environment
4. Which of the following actions did your company use to reduce ecological impact?
A: 9 SMEs used Energy Saving to reduce environmental impact. 10 managers from different
firms stated that they have adopted recycling of wastes as their action to reduce impact on the
environment. 2 companies have adopted car pooling to save fuel. 3 executives adopted
assessment of product life cycle. 9 of the executives use renewable resources to reduce
environmental impact. 6 executives mentioned the use of Environment System management
strategies to reduce pollution and waste generation in their factories.
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Results of Benefits of deploying CSR
3. What has been the main benefit of your company after using CSR activities?
A: The following options were chosen out of all the six options given to the executives of SMEs.
2 executives stated ‘Betterment of reputation’. 7 managers stated ‘Better relationships with the
various stakeholders and community’ 12 executives stated ‘To make the employee sense better’.
3 stated ‘enhance the efficiency’. 2 of them stated ‘Identifying the areas of risk to company’s
reputation’. 2 executives stated ‘Better credit accesses.
Results of CSR policies that the SMEs have planned for future
3. What are the CSR plans of your company in the years to come?
A: The following methodologies were adopted as future CSR policies by the executives of
SMEs. 8 employees stated ‘Communication of performance of the company in CSR and
sustenance of stakeholders’. 7 executives stated ‘Improving existing products to create less
impact on environment’. 3 of them stated ‘Developing eco-friendly alternatives and new
products to reduce ecological problems’. 2 managers stated ‘Reducing the energy consumption
in the processes of the company’. 4 executives stated ‘Reduction of greenhouse emission and
waste generation’. 2 of them stated ‘Incorporating control in the supply based on human rights’.
Survey Questionnaire
A survey was conducted on 50 people from a target community to gather data for the quantitative
analysis. The results of the survey are mentioned below:
Q 1: Is there a need to develop a green patch around the locality of the company?
Responses Response Percentage Frequency of responds Total Respondent
Yes 81.1% 40 50
No 18.9% 10 50
Maybe 0 0 50
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Yes No Maybe
0.00%
1000.00%
2000.00%
3000.00%
4000.00%
5000.00%
6000.00%
40
10
0
50 50 50
Response Percentage
Frequency of responds
Total Respondent
Q 2: Has air pollution increased in the last 5 years?
Responses Response Percentage Frequency of responds Total Respondent
Yes 90.2% 45 50
No 9.8% 5 50
Maybe 0 0 50
Yes No Maybe
0.00%
1000.00%
2000.00%
3000.00%
4000.00%
5000.00%
6000.00%
45
5
0
50 50 50
Response Percentage
Frequency of responds
Total Respondent
Q 3: Will planting trees help regulating pollution caused by the nearby chemical plant?
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Responses Response Percentage Frequency of responds Total Respondent
Yes 64% 32 50
No 32% 16 50
Maybe 4% 2 50
Yes No Maybe
0%
1000%
2000%
3000%
4000%
5000%
6000%
32
16
2
50 50 50
Response Percentage
Frequency of responds
Total Respondent
Q 4: Is construction of the garden not a good idea? Rather, a shopping mall would have
been a better idea than the green patch?
Responses Response Percentage Frequency of responds Total Respondent
Yes 10% 5 50
No 84% 42 50
Maybe 6% 3 50
10

Yes No Maybe
0%
1000%
2000%
3000%
4000%
5000%
6000%
5
42
3
50 50 50
Response Percentage
Frequency of responds
Total Respondent
Q 5: Is there any requirement of uplifting children education in the locality?
Responses Response Percentage Frequency of responds Total Respondent
Yes 94% 47 50
No 6% 3 50
Maybe 0 0 50
Yes No Maybe
0%
1000%
2000%
3000%
4000%
5000%
6000%
47
3
0
50 50 50
Response Percentage
Frequency of responds
Total Respondent
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Q 6: Is there any need to start a home for underprivileged children and orphans in the
neighbourhood?
Responses Response Percentage Frequency of responds Total Respondent
Yes 70% 35 50
No 30% 15 50
Maybe 0 0 50
Yes No Maybe
0%
1000%
2000%
3000%
4000%
5000%
6000%
35
15
0
50 50 50
Response Percentage
Frequency of responds
Total Respondent
Q 7: Is there funding crisis in the existing orphanages which is leading them to provide
inefficient child care services?
Responses Response Percentage Frequency of responds Total Respondent
Yes 74% 37 50
No 26% 13 50
Maybe 0 0 50
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