Analysing CSR, Code of Conduct, & Professional Career: M&S

This assignment presents a case study analysis of Marks & Spencer's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives, focusing on the challenges faced in maintaining ethical practices, particularly concerning greenwashing. It discusses the importance of codes of conduct in resolving such issues, emphasizing transparency and adherence to human rights. The paper also highlights the guidance available from professional bodies like the International Institute of Sustainable Development. Furthermore, it includes a Continuous Professional Development (CPD) plan designed to enhance knowledge and skills related to CSR, addressing areas like greenwashing practices and understanding policies of professional bodies. The study concludes by emphasizing the role of CSR in building a positive brand image and the significance of CPD in individual and organizational development. Desklib offers a wealth of similar case studies and academic resources for students.

Preparing for a
Professional Career

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART A - Report.............................................................................................................................1
Introduction of challenge/ issue chosen.................................................................................1
Code of conduct that can assist in resolving the issue............................................................2
Guidance available from the professional bodies...................................................................2
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................3
PART B – CPD Plan........................................................................................................................3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................7

INTRODUCTION
Various obstacles exist in the global business environment that have an impact on the
performance of businesses. Several challenges that organisations confront in regards to
conducting their enterprises are examined in this context, as well as the appropriate course of
action that must be chosen by them to ensure long-term sustainability. In addition, the paper
discusses various codes of conduct, as well as the possible guidance and support provided by
professional groups, as well as the potential influence on business circumstances.
PART A - Report
Introduction of challenge/ issue chosen
Corporate social responsibility depicts the activity which is performed by the managers to
make sure the overall development and social welfare. There are different philanthropic,
charitable, volunteering and activist are concerned with the significant functions. In present
times, companies have to face several issues to maintain and opt suitable CSR practices. For this,
green washing is undertaken as the major issue for organising the CSR activities (Scales and et.
al., 2018). It can also have said with the example of Marks and Spencer where the companies ask
individuals to bring effective clothes which they are not using in regard of undertaking the
recycle practices. The company's main motivation for implementing this approach is to safeguard
the environment by reducing pollution and properly utilising waste.
They lead to the development of new clothing by repurposing old ones. As a result, the
principal practise is completely different, and their clients were misled by this approach. It was
also discovered that the companies produced a lot of pollution, which had a negative impact on
the environment (Greco and Kraimer, 2020). It has been observed that incidents that occurs
through rising steeply of green washing tends to put major impact over the environment-friendly
activities of company. Through this, the faith and trust of customers within company is also
impacting them in adverse manner. At the beginning, it was found that the purchasers have
started to trust over the prominent activities of Marks and Spencer which provide competitive
advantage to company.
They also believe that company is concerned regarding the environment by which they opt
environment friendly practices. Also, when company get to know about the reality of situation
then the whole scenario got changed. It leads to put negative impact over the existing image of
1

company. hence, there are different popular and famous organisation from which they are not
really concerned regarding the environment and overall society and only opt the CSR activities
to develop high brand image in market area. Besides from this, some other organisations lead to
actually put suitable efforts for the overall economic and they well-being of society.
Code of conduct that can assist in resolving the issue
Code of conduct undertake various norms, rules and regulations that are developed to follow
regarding the effective operations of business. There is different code of conduct for the private,
public and non-profit companies. Despite from this, all the organisations regardless their size and
scope need to consider some code of conduct which are discussed as:
 Transparency is vital because it protects the interests of a variety of internal and external
stakeholders in a corporation. It is the company's job to offer necessary information and
details to its shareholders, customers, investors, employees, and other stakeholders. It
contributes significantly to the development of stakeholder trust.
 The primary code of conduct has been determined to be the organization's pre-defined
tasks and responsibilities toward the environment, economy, and society.
 As a vital rule of conduct, respecting and supporting human rights is also undertaken
(Coates, 2020). In this case, businesses must provide high-quality products as well as
services to clients in order to safeguard their long-term interests. In addition, it is
beneficial to preserve the company's strong brand image in the market.
Hence, it has been analysed that there are several codes of conducts in which some of them
are developed by companies and some by legal entities to maintain effective business operations.
These rules and norms are important to consider in regard of sustaining their image in market
area for longer period of time.
Guidance available from the professional bodies
The international institute of sustainable development provides the primary guidance for
CSR activities. This body tends to make a number of useful advices to businesses in order for
them to be able to utilise appropriate resources effectively. It leads to the formulation of various
proposals in the areas of international trade, renewable resources, energy measurement, and so
on (Gromoll, 2021). This institute assists Marks and Spencer in conducting ethical business
operations. There are lot of information which is available on the website of institute which is
being collected by different projects. Besides from this, they also provide important financial
2

support and also organise several campaigns with the objective to guide international and small
companies to organise effective CSR activities.
Conclusion
Following the identification of multiple policies produced by various professional bodies, as
well as various code of conducts developed to operate their firm effectively. It will be beneficial
for companies like Marks & Spencer to establish a positive brand image in society in order to get
a competitive edge. It is also determined that professional bodies provide necessary financial and
policy assistance to organisations, which will aid in the consideration of CSR operations in the
effective development of society and the entire economy (Campbell, Porsch and Hobbs, 2019).
Additionally, several codes of conduct are important to protect the interest of different
parties which are concerned with company. besides from this, these bodes are also develop some
guidelines which are essential to follow by company in regard of protecting and meeting the
legal formalities. Apart from this, code of conduct may harm business data of company as it is
important to maintain required transparency which is related with the financial position of
company that can also disclose their confidential data to unauthorised parties.
PART B – CPD Plan
Continuous development plan depicts the overall process which is being opted by individual
to achieve new skills and abilities with the suitable objective to develop their knowledge
(Castellano and et. al., 2017). This can be collected by informal or formal terms while the
individual work in company. Besides from this, it also comprises their future implications and
also important action which is being taken by the individuals to develop innovative skills and
overall experience. In the sector of CSR, there are some defined codes of conduct and people
needs to be aware regarding these practices. For this, CPD plan is developed:
CPD Plan
Area of Learning Reflection of
learning
Future Implications Action
Greenwashing
practice
The greenwashing
acts of CSR practises
and activities, I
learned from this
It has been
determined that
consumers are
unaware of their
In relation with this, the
primary objective is to
enhance my knowledge by
40% in upcoming 4 months
3

session, can mislead
customers.
unethical methods
that are employed by
organisations doing
promotions and
advertisements that
have a significant
impact on client
mindsets (Muscat,
2017). When I work
as a professional in
the future, it will
assist me in doing
appropriate activities
in an efficient
manner. It will also
assist me in making
suitable decisions at
work.
regarding greenwashing
activity.
Policies of
professional bodies
to guide in CSR
activities
In this, the policies
are developed by
professional bodies
for the development
and improvement of
environment and
society (Ormrod and
Burton, 2020). In this
module, I learned
about several policies
that are dynamic in
nature and also
important to identify
In present times, the
business environment
is dynamic in nature
and there are several
changes that have
been made on
continuous basis. The
professional bodies
make several changes
in present policies
which is critical for
me and business to
understand the
In this, my objectives is to
improve my research skills
with 17% in upcoming 4
months by which I will be
able to identify suitable
policies of professional bodies
effectively.
4

the constant
monitoring and
change as per the
needs. It leads to
offer me the huge
knowledge regarding
the development of
society.
changes and also act
accordingly. It will
help me to enhance
by future
performance and
undertake suitable
activities at work
place (Suryani,
2020). Apart from
this, I will be able to
make sure the
effective growth and
develop society by
developing suitable
knowledge. This will
help me to analyse
the situation
effectively and then
lead to take suitable
decisions to resolve
the issues faced by
company.
CONCLUSION
By considering the preceding discussion, it has been analysed that the CSR is undertaken as
the moral responsibility of company that needs to fulfilled in an effective manner. There are
various challenges that have been faced by companies to organise CSR activities in an effective
manner. Effective discussion has been carried regarding the code of conduct, norms and rules
that are important to follow by company so that businesses can sustain in market area for longer
period of time. There are several professional bodies which are developed considering the
effective policies and offer required support to entities to undertake the CSR functions in an
5

ethical manner. Despite from this, CPD is important for individuals to improve their overall
knowledge and potential which is important for the further development.
6

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Campbell, C., Porsch, R. and Hobbs, L., 2019. Initial teacher education: Roles and possibilities
for preparing capable teachers. In Examining the Phenomenon of “Teaching Out-of-
field” (pp. 243-267). Springer, Singapore.
Castellano, M.E and et. al., 2017. Preparing students for college and career in the United States:
The effects of career-themed programs of study on high school performance. Vocations
and Learning, 10(1), pp.47-70.
Coates, K., 2020. The value of soft skills: preparing the next generation of workforce for future
work.
Greco, L.M. and Kraimer, M.L., 2020. Goal-setting in the career management process: An
identity theory perspective. Journal of Applied Psychology, 105(1), p.40.
Gromoll, J., 2021. The Fading Pipeline: Preparing the Next Generation of Weapons
Inspectors. American Journal of International Law, 115, pp.100-105.
Muscat, A., 2017. Action research: Preparing Maltese football players for migratory based
transitions. Liverpool John Moores University (United Kingdom).
Ormrod, G. and Burton, R., 2020. Preparing for Transition: Putting it all Together. Transition to
Professional Nursing Practice, p.342.
Scales, R.Q and et. al., 2018. Are we preparing or training teachers? Developing professional
judgment in and beyond teacher preparation programs. Journal of Teacher
Education, 69(1), pp.7-21.
Suryani, A., 2020. The Role of Religious Beliefs in Teacher Education Students’ Career
Aspirations. In Preparing Indonesian Youth (pp. 66-88). Brill.
7