PwC: CSR Activities, Sustainability, and Competitive Advantages

This project analyzes the corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to determine their significance in achieving sustainability and competitive advantages. The project includes a project management plan outlining costs, scope, time, quality, communication, and risk management. The research methodology employs positivism, a deductive approach, and descriptive analysis, using both quantitative (surveys) and qualitative (interviews) data collection methods. The quantitative analysis, based on a survey of 25 respondents, reveals high satisfaction with PwC's CSR activities and their appropriateness. Recommendations for improvement include a focus on rural infrastructure development, road safety, and waste management. Qualitative data from interviews with managers highlights the significance of CSR in enhancing revenue, meeting stakeholder requirements, and creating a positive impact on the company and its stakeholders. The study concludes with recommendations for enhancing PwC's CSR activities to further improve business performance and achieve sustainability.

CSR ACTIVITES AND ITS IMPORTANCE FOR OBTAINING
SUSTAINIBILITY AND COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES
A CASE STUDY ON PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS
STUDENT NAME:
STUDENT ID:
UNIVERSITY:
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Table of contents
PART 1.............................................................................................................................3
P1. Aims and objectives...................................................................................................3
P2.Project management plan...........................................................................................3
P3.Gantt Chart................................................................................................................. 4
PART 2.............................................................................................................................5
P4.Research Methodology...............................................................................................5
PART 3.............................................................................................................................7
P5.Research Analysis......................................................................................................7
P6.Conclusions and Recommendations........................................................................12
P7.Value objectives undertaking and own performance evaluation...............................13
Reference List................................................................................................................ 15
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PART 1
P1. Aims and objectives
Aim:
The main focus is to gain competitive advantage by maintaining sustainability in the
business by following corporate social responsibility.
Objectives:
 To identify the significance of CSR activities by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
 To analyze the appropriateness of CSR activities performed by
PriceWaterhouseCoopers.
 To evaluate the effectiveness of CSR on the business performance of
PriceWaterhouseCoopers in London.
 To recommend the process for up-gradation of CSR activities.
P2.Project management plan
Cost: According to the information provided by selected entity on the data and website
and also the information which is obtained by face to face conversation with the
employees and company manager, this dissertation is performed. All types of data
related to the income and expenditure of this company is evaluated and determined in
this respect. After that for making verification about all those collected information, a
face to face interaction is organized with the financial department of this particular firm.
In order to hold so much information several labors and workers are paid ample amount
of money for the successful completion of this project.
Scope: The importance of CSR activities are evaluated with respect to this particular
entity. As it is determined the CSR is an important aspect of business in modern
business management, it is considered as a vital part of the company structure. As the
CSR activity of this firm is overall excellent this project can be held as an excellent
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example for adoption of this project as Tools and level of standards in business
corporations.
Time: time is always a main factor in each and every research or survey work. On time
basis this particular business research work is performed within a period of 7 weeks. In
order to conduct a big and broader structure of business plan ample amount of time is
needed for the company. Otherwise the whole job will become a failure. During this
project work which is covered in 7 weeks timeframe, all types of research data and
information is collected. Then that information are evaluated and formulated. A limited
timeframe is kept for each individual work so that all those minute details are not
overlooked in this prospect.
Quality: attention is kept so that the overall research work can be performed in an
effective manner. The quality is always maintained in all respect. The information which
is collected are always verified and crosschecked so that no information which is
presented appears vague and out of context.
Communication: Communication with all relevant personnel about this firm maintained.
Effective interaction with all those personalities who are holding top positions in this
studied company is always maintained. They are being contacted in regular basis at all
types of data which are collected are crosschecked and in this process ethical aspects
are not overlooked.
Risk & Resources: There is risk in all types of works. Research works are performed
on the basis of reliable sources and thereby relevant information is gathered. Several
company personnel who are found uncommunicative are requested so that they provide
relevant details of the company. In doing so various types of risks are taken. Resources
which are used are mainly modern gadgets like laptops desktops and mobile phones.
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P3.Gantt Chart
Main activities 1st
week
2nd
week
3rd week 4th and
5th week
6th
week
7th
week
Topic selection
Research
methodology
primary and
secondary data
collection
Data
interpretation and
analysis
Conclusion and
Recommendatio
n
Final submission
Table 1: Gantt Chart
(Source: Researcher)
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PART 2
P4.Research Methodology
Research specification
The process of research specification is very common which is followed by a particular
set of regulations after that those information are utilized for continuation of the research
work in a proper manner. Carroll (2015, p.91) agreed that this cannot be implemented in
a proper manner if those guidelines are not followed. This process includes positivism,
deductive and descriptive approach.
Positivism - The two common methods of research specification are positivism and
interpretivism. In this respect, the positivism is followed. This is because the
performance of research project is completely an original work and is totally based on
facts. This philosophy is very effective and highly comparative than the other method
which is interpretivism. All types of logical explanations can be easily carried out in this
process.
Deductive - There are two kinds of approaches in this aspect. Those aspects are
inductive and deductive. There is a very distinct difference between those two concepts.
In this prospect the deductive approach is taken. Hopkins (2016, p.32) stated that this
process mainly includes the prevailing theory and testing methods. In comparison to this
model, the inductive approach only recognizes the implementation of newer theories.
Descriptive - in this process the prime focus is kept on the systematic information on
the background information of the topic of research. This method is taken so that the
focus is kept on the descriptions of the happenings in the research topic with specific
details. This is done for clear understanding of the CSR activities related challenges
faced by this firm. In this process the sustainability of the business and the competitive
advantages which this company is getting and also the challenges which are faced are
evaluated. Other designs are not been able to explore those details and explain them in
an effective way. Okpara and Idowu (2013, p.21) suggested that it is for that reason this
particular method which is descriptive is chosen over explanatory and exploratory
designs of research.
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Methods of collection of data - There are mainly two types of methods or techniques
for collection of data which are primary and secondary. Cheng et al. (2014, p.19) opined
that the secondary collection of data is mainly performed from books, websites and
journals whereas the primary data are collected through quantitative and qualitative
analysis of data collection method.
In this current research process both qualitative and quantitative methods are chosen
for primary data collection.
The primary quantitative method is done mainly for surveying the respondents of this
chosen entity and primary qualitative is done on the basis of interviews with the
managers of this firm.
Tools for data collection - Close ended questionnaire which are mainly of multiple
choice questions are used for the respondents and are used for primary collection of
data through quantitative analysis. Open ended interview type questionnaire is
organized in the purpose of questioning the managers to this firm for the purpose of
qualitative analysis of primary data collection.
The tools which are selected for collection of data are modern technology based
gadgets such as Smartphone and recorders as well as desktops voice recorders,
laptops and data collector tools.
Sampling size and techniques - The technique which is applied for this purpose are
probability based. According to Schrempf-Stirling et al. (2014, p.705) this is because in
this process the random basis of sampling prefers purposive intervention sampling. On
this basis of research type purposive sampling in which probability based is followed.
Here sample size which is taken is 25 and 2 managers of this corporate agency for the
purpose of interviewing.
Accuracy and reliability - The data which is collected for the survey purpose is
thoroughly accurate and from reliable sources those research data are evaluated for
rectification and accuracy. Turker (2016, p.137) said that it is mainly performed by the
face to face interviews and fact sheets. Reliability and accuracy is a very crucial aspect
in this research method and for that reason the data which is collected are mainly from
different sources and very carefully recorded.
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PART 3
P5.Research Analysis
Quantitative research (on 25 respondents)
Q1. Are you satisfied with the CSR activities performed by Pricewaterhouse
Coopers?
Options Response Total respondents % of the response
Highly satisfied 5 25 20%
Satisfied 8 25 32%
Neutral 2 25 8%
Not satisfied 6 25 24%
Highly dissatisfied 4 25 16%
Table 2: Satisfactory level of CSR activities of this firm
(Source: Researcher)
Highly satisfied
Satisfied
Neutral
Not satisfied
Highly dissatisfied
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
Satisfaction towards CSR activities
% of the response
Figure 1: Satisfactory level of CSR activities of this firm
(Source: Researcher)
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Analysis: A relevant question was put forward among the respondents about the
satisfaction level of the CSR activities which are performed by this entity. It is
discovered that a bigger section of the respondents are satisfied with the CSR activities
of this firm and thus it can be said that the current CSR activity of this corporate agency
is up to the mark and maintaining the business standard. This is found that the CSR
function of this entity is highly skilled and experienced and they are totally aware which
section requires more attention.
Q2. Do you agree that the CSR activities of Pricewaterhouse Coopers are
appropriate?
Options Response Total respondents % of the response
Highly Agree 5 25 20%
Agree 9 25 36%
Neutral 3 25 12%
Disagree 4 25 16%
Highly Disagree 4 25 16%
Table 3: Agreement level of CSR activities of this firm
(Source: Researcher)
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Highly
Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Highly
Disagree
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
40%
Appropriateness of CSR activities
% of the response
Figure 2: Agreement level of CSR activities of this firm
(Source: Researcher)
Analysis: from this question it can be seen that a majority of the section of respondents
are quite happy about the CSR activities of this firm. A major portion of them are
agreeing on the fact that the activities are appropriate and standard as well as meeting
all those necessary requirements with respect to the firm requirements. Only a small
section of the respondents however feels that there is also a scope for improvement
and requires further attention from the management of the entity.
Q3. What recommendations would you suggest to Pricewaterhousecoopers for
upgrading their CSR activities?
Options Response Total
respondents
% of the
response
Rural infrastructure
development
10 25 40%
Road safety 8 25 32%
Waste management 7 25 28%
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Table 4: various recommendations of CSR activities of this firm
(Source: Researcher)
Figure 3: various recommendations of CSR activities of this firm
(Source: Researcher)
Analysis: it can be discovered that this particular entity is giving much attention on
three major sections in their CSR activities. Those sections are improvement of Rural
infrastructure, Road safety and waste management. Those three sections are equally
important. However from this questionnaire it can be found that major section of the
respondents are suggesting that improvement is required in activities for the rural
infrastructure. On those other sections are however
Qualitative research
(Interview conducted with 2 managers)
Q1. Why do you think that the CSR activities that are being performed by your
company are significant?
Manager 1 Manager 2
“the CSR activities which are
followed in this company are
“This is particularly beneficial
because this is helping the
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highly significant mainly
because it is covering all the
aspects which are
recommended by the
observers”
company in increasing the
revenue and satisfying all the
requirements to take this
company among the top
leaders in the world”
Analysis: In this interview session which is conducted among the two managers of the
company it can be seen that both the managers keep close attention on the CSR
criteria of the company. According to the Manager 1 of this firm the CSR activities are
considered very significant in this company and is provided very close attention so that
every aspects of this function is covered and thereby all facilities are calculated.
Thereby the firm is gaining long term benefits from those activities.
Manager 2 adds to that view which is presented by the manager 1 and suggested that
all the long term benefits which are obtained from this aspect. He holds that this is an
important function and thereby every other aspect can be improved from this aspect.
Q2 what impact does the CSR activities create upon people that are being
performed by your company?
Manager 1 Manager 2
“this improved CSR activity is highly
beneficial because customers get much
aware about the company”
“The employees get morally boosted and
thereby the work efficiency gets boosted
as a result the productivity gets increased”
Analysis: According to the first manager the CSR activities are always paid necessary
attention and always tried to be improved so that the overall company structure gets
enhanced. By the second manager of this particular firm the boosting of the morale of
the employees are given much attention and thereby a sense of efficiency gets spread
all over the company procedures. After studying the CSR activities of this company it
can be observed that this particular entity is on a perfect path and follows all the
methodologies which are required by the flourishing of the entity.
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