Competitive Advantage via CSR: A Detailed Waitrose Case Study

This case study explores the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in achieving a competitive advantage, focusing on Waitrose as a prime example. The research aims to understand the significance of CSR activities in today's business environment and their interdependence with competitive advantages. It employs an exploratory research design with an interpretivist philosophy and an inductive approach. Data collection involves both primary (sampling of 10 Waitrose managers) and secondary sources, analyzed through thematic analysis. The study recommends that Waitrose develop a separate CSR department and implement a mechanism for receiving feedback from employees and stakeholders, addressing concerns about environmental impact. The overall goal is to provide actionable insights for Waitrose to enhance its CSR activities and further solidify its competitive position in the market.

Managing a Successful Business
Project
TASK 3

Aims and Objectives
Aim
To understand the role of CSR in gaining competitive advantage in the
market: A Case Study of Waitrose.
Objectives
 In order to attain aim of the present research the following objectives
have been developed:
 To understand the significance of CSR activities in the present world
 To understand the inter-dependence of CSR activities with competitive
advantages
 To recommend certain measures for undertaking CSR activities
through which business can attain competitive advantage in market.

Research Methodology
In order to undertake effective research and produce accurate
outcomes the researcher is required to undertake varied tools as
well as techniques. In carrying out the present study, the
researcher has employed variety of methodologies.

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Research Design: Exploratory design
With the assistance of research design blueprint of the entire study is
developed at the intial stage in order to understand the precise
requirements of the process.

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Research Philosophy: Interpretivism
The values and beliefs on the basis of which the researcher aims to undertake
the entire process of research shall be determined in this section.

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Research Approach: Inductive
Approach
Research Approach enables the researchers to undertake the study in a
particular format and gather the data in a specific manner. It acts as a
catalyst in implementation of different tools and techniques and further also
reduces the possibilities of omissions in the entire process.

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Data Collection: Primary and Secondary
This enables the researcher to ascertain the sources which
shall be pursued for collection of information and data to
effectively undertake the research to produce accurate
outcomes
Sampling: Sampling of 10 managers of Waitrose
It enables the researcher to undertake primary research
Data Analysis: Thematic analysis

RECOMMENDATIONS
The present study has enabled the researcher to understand the significance of
CSR activities within an organization. Moreover, it has also been ascertained
that CSR activities has the potential to play an instrumental role in attainment
of competitive advantage in the market. However, the researcher has also
been informed that the company is currently facing with the issue of
increasing detriments on the environment. In pursuance to all these
determinations, the following are the recommendations for Waitrose:

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The management of the company shall develop a separate
department for undertaking the CSR activities.
An entire new mechanism of receiving feedback from the
employees and other stakeholders shall be initiated.

REFERENCES
• Pierre, E. A. S., 2012. Post qualitative research. Collecting and
interpreting qualitative materials, p.447.
• Hovorka, A. J., 2016. Gender resources for urban agriculture
research: methodology, directory and annotated bibliography.
• Flood, A., 2010. Understanding phenomenology: Anne Flood looks at
the theory and methods involved in phenomenological
research. Nurse researcher. 17(2). pp.7-15.
• Anderson, J., Adey, P. and Bevan, P., 2010. Positioning place:
polylogic approaches to research methodology. Qualitative Research.
10(5). pp.589-604.

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