Starwoods Hotels CSR Implementation and Sustainable Development

This project examines the implementation of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within Starwoods Hotels and Resorts to achieve sustainable development objectives. The project includes a background study emphasizing the growing importance of CSR in modern business to enhance profitability and meet customer needs. The project's aim is to understand the role of CSR in achieving sustainable development, with specific objectives to determine the importance of CSR implementation, evaluate the relationship between CSR activities and sustainable development, and identify methods for achieving sustainable development through CSR. The project outlines a project management plan, including cost analysis, timeframes, quality assurance, communication strategies, and risk management. A work breakdown structure and Gantt chart are included. A qualitative research methodology is employed, using a descriptive research design, inductive research approach, and Interpretivism philosophy. Data collection involves primary (surveys) and secondary sources (journals, articles). A random sampling technique with 10 participants is used, and thematic analysis is applied to analyze the data. Ethical considerations are also addressed, ensuring informed consent and confidentiality. The research findings indicate that CSR is considered important in the modern era, a link exists between CSR activities and sustainable development, and CSR implementation is important at Starwoods Hotels and Resorts. The project also identifies issues faced by Starwoods Hotels and Resorts and suggests potential CSR initiatives and implementation methods.

MANAGING
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
PROJECT

TASK 1
P1. Project aim and objectives
Topic : “Implementation of CSR activities within an organization for meeting sustainable
objectives.”
Background of study :
Corporate social responsibility accounts to be of very much importance for every
organization. Every organization in order for the aim of gaining maximum profits by enhanced
sales inculcates the principles of CSR (Hombert and et.al., 2014). Henceforth, in order for
achieving the desired goals the management of a company needs to understand the needs and
requirements of its customers by delivering them quality services and products. There exists
many other organizations in the market that in order to compete with each other deliver similar
quality services & products to their customers (Okoye, 2015). So to lead in this complex
competition, one needs to differentiate themselves in terms of effective quality by making use of
strategies that will help further in attaining sustainable development by proper implementation of
CSR. Keeping this mind, every firm needs to analyse, evaluate and understand the importance of
CSR which accounts to be helpful in increasing and improving the profitability rate (Cha, Yi and
Bagozzi, 2016). For carrying out research work in an appropriate manner, Starwoods Hotels and
Resorts has been taken into consideration. This will be covering the importance hold by the CSR
activities being implemented in firm thereby associating its link towards attaining sustainable
development.
Aim:-
“To have an understanding about the CSR's activities role in achieving sustainable
development : A study of Starwoods Hotels and Resorts”
Objectives:-
 To determine the importance on account of CSR implementation in modern-era.
 To find out & evaluate the existing relationship among CSR activities and sustainable
development. To bring out different methods for attainment of sustainable development by aid provided
from activities associated to CSR.
Research question:-
 What importance is held in the modern-era by CSR ?
1

 Briefly give an explanation about the link that exists between CSR activities &
sustainable development.
P2. Covering the different aspects of cost, time and communication by aid of project
management plan
Cost : The estimated cost for developing sustainable development activities in Starwoods Hotels
and Resorts” is approx 9987 pound.
Time: The sustainable development activities in Starwoods Hotels and Resorts” will take
approx. time of 32 days.
Quality: In order to maintain CSR activities quality, quality assurance system can be developed.
Along with this training and learning also considered.
Communication: In order to maintain effective communication system proper monitoring of the
process is requires. Along with this process both formal and informal process should be
implemented for communicating with different levels of the company.
Risk: There are various risk can be identified by Starwoods Hotels and Resorts, such as
financial, data breach, communication, technical, etc. In order to overcome various risk
management strategies can be applied. For overcoming financial risks procedures can be shifted
according to demands and preferences of customers. Along with this in order to overcome
communication and security risks, technical changes can be implemented in order to overcome
them.
Resources: In order to implement CRS activities effectively into Starwoods Hotels and Resorts,
various resources are required such as employees, techniques, material, etc. Along with this
effective implementation is also necessary.
2

P3. Work Breakdown Structure And Gantt Chart
3

4

TASK 2
P4. Carrying out small-scale research by application of qualitative research methodology
The scholar needs to utilize appropriate tools & techniques systematically in order for
gaining accurately reliable results. Keeping in mind, the nature of study to be conducted, proper
methodologies need to applied for attaining the set aims & objectives of associated research
work. The validity and feasibility associated to the study are justified by the effective utilization
of tools & techniques. And at the same time, this has also proved to be highly beneficial for
successful achievement of objectives associated to the research. So, with the main motto of
implementing CSR activities in an organization for attaining sustainable objectives in association
with Starwoods Hotels and Resorts, researcher will be utilizing the following methods : Research design : The overall framework under which the carrying out of whole study is
being done is referred as research design (Kerzner, 2013). It could also be regarded as
the blueprint which incorporates all the performed activities in order to come towards the
final conclusion. Also, in addition to this, satisfying aim of research along with
objectives within stipulated time-span is also linked. Namely, four research-design
methodologies are available. They include : descriptive, diagnostic, experimental &
5

explanatory. Well keeping in mind the nature of present study, descriptive research-
design methodology has been taken into consideration since the study is theoretical. And
also the reason for choosing this is the non-involvement of any sort of mathematical
calculation (.Schwalbe, 2015). Information will be provided in deep, detailing the topic,
to the researcher via aid of this research-design. And accordingly results associated to
the same will be obtained. Research approach : The researcher in association to the study topic, makes various sets
of assumptions. So, in order to complete the research work, a crucial role is played by
research-approach for testing the validity of these assumptions (Serra and Kunc, 2015).
Broadly, two categories are popular in context to research-approach, namely, deductive
& inductive. And as for the present study, inductive research-approach will be utilized.
As per this approach, specific information regarding the implementation of CSR
activities within the Starwoods Hotels & Resorts, will be collected. After this,
determination of a general conclusion will be done that, in future will be applied to
different sectors of other firms. Research philosophy : The researcher can conduct the research in best possible and
feasible way through this. Positivism, Interpritivism, Realism and Pragmatism are the
four available strategies being utilized by researchers in order to determine the research
nature (Verzuh, 2015). However, in particular reference to present-research aim,
Interpretivism philosophy will be utilized focussing upon study regarding the integration
of human interests has been taken into account. Also, various aspects in association to
the issues related to research , will be determined that will aid scholar in attaining
accurate outcomes regarding the study. Collection of data : The sources involved in collecting of information regarding the
present study comes under this most important section (Polonsky and Waller, 2014).
Namely, primary & secondary are the two categories of information sources through
which researcher will be obtaining data for coming towards final outcome. Considering
present research-work, primary as well as secondary, both methodologies have been
utilised for implementation of CSR activities in order to meet the sustainable objectives
at Starwoods Hotels & Resorts. Referring to the primary methods, survey methodology
will be utilized by getting help from questionnaires, involving both close and open ended
6

questions. However, referring secondary sources, various, journals, books, articles,
published materials will be further utilized for encapsulating plenty of information
regarding present study by the scholar. Sampling : Keeping in mind the aim of present research, random sampling techniques
will be used for achieving sustainable development at Starwoods Hotels & Resorts.
Under this approach, the selection of respondents for sample obtaining will be done on a
random basis (Kendrick, 2015). Each of the participants from the universe of research,
referring to customers of Starwoods Hotels & Resorts, will be sharing equal probability
of being selected. The formulated sample-size in present study will be 10 customers of
Starwoods Hotels & Hotels. Data analysis : Analysation of data is usually done according to the qualitative &
quantitative methodologies keeping in mind the nature of study. Since, the present study
topic is completely theoretical, qualitative methodology will be utilized under which
researcher will be applying the thematic analysis (Mir and Pinnington, 2014). Under this
framing of various themes regarding current research-topic will be done. Upon the basis
of their justifications, final conclusions will be formulated and proper recommendations
should be given.
 Considering ethical-manner : During the conduction of research, a criticality is
involved in methodology followed by researcher to perform the associated activities in
an ethical way. Corresponding this the research purpose, when interview of respondents
is being taken, beforehand information should be given to them prior asking. Also, in
addition to this, their provided information shall not be utilized for any other purposes.
Confidentiality shall be maintained regarding the details provided by respondents
selected in sample. No third party should be disclosed the information gathered and its
effective utilization should be done only the purposes of research.
TASK 3
P5. Utilizing proper tools and techniques for data and research
Name : _______________
Age : ______
Gender : ________
7

1. According to your opinion, is there any importance hold by CSR in modern-era?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
2. Do any sort of link exists in between CSR and sustainable development?
 Yes
 No
 Not sure
3. According to your opinion, does implementation of CSR at Starwoods Hotels & Hotels holds
any importance?
 Yes
 No
4. What among the following set of issues is currently being faced by Starwoods Hotels &
Resorts?
 Not globally recognized
 Mismanagement of budget
 Less employee participation in activities
5. What CSR initiatives could Starwoods Hotels and Resorts undertake ?
 Extensively advertising through digital media
 Digital management of budget plan
 Empowering employees
6. What ways could be used for implementing CSR initiative?
 Giving financial support
 Voluntary organizations
 Charity events organizing
7. Which department shall be given away the responsibility for CSR implementation?
 HR Department
 Administrative Department
 Managers at top-level
8

Theme 1 : CSR's importance in modern-era
Criteria Frequency
Yes 6
No 1
Not sure 3
Description : From the above conducted survey that is the findings of questionnaire, it
could be stated that majority of customers claimed, CSR implementation is definitely important
atera of modern world. This was as per the opinion of majority of 6 respondents. However,
among the remaining ones, 1 stated that implementation of CSR is not necessary or holds any
importance in modern-era. And as per the opinions of 3 of the respondents, no surety was there
regarding the importance of CSR at modern era. Coming upon the final conclusion, it could be
stated that, definitely implementing CSR in modern era is of utter importance and the associated
authorities need to realise this as soon as possible for achieving of set organizational goals.
Theme 2 : Existence of link between sustainable development and CSR activities
Criteria Frequency
9
6
1
3
Yes
No
Not sure

Yes 7
No 1
Not sure 2
Description : From the findings of the questionnaire conducted among the 10 respondents
that is customers of Starwoods, it could be formulated that there definitely exists a link between
implementing of CSR initiatives & sustainable development. However, according to 1, no link is
there between the two claiming that CSR could not be single handedly hold responsible for
attaining sustainable development. On the other hand, 2 of the respondents could not possibly
determine about the existence of the link. Overall, the assigned authorities need to analyse the
CSR implementation, and made understood the fact that for attaining of sustainable development
CSR initiatives have to be implemented.
Theme 3 : Importance of implementing CSR activities at Starwoods Hotels and Resorts
Criteria Frequency
Yes 9
No 1
10
7
1
2
Yes
No
Not sure