Business Report: Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability

This report delves into the realm of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and sustainability, examining the approaches of three distinct companies: Global Plant Genetics Ltd, Siemens AG, and Bentley Motors Limited. The report begins with an introduction to CSR and its importance, followed by an in-depth exploration of sustainable business strategies and management. The main body of the report analyzes the CSR approaches of the three companies, highlighting their differences and methods of measuring success. It covers social, economic, human, and environmental sustainability aspects, providing specific examples of each company's initiatives. Global Plant Genetics focuses on sustainable agricultural practices, Siemens AG emphasizes education and technological advancements, and Bentley Motors prioritizes environmental protection through electric vehicle production and renewable energy. The report concludes with a reflection on key skill development and a summary of the findings, offering valuable insights into the integration of CSR into modern business practices. The report also includes references to support the analysis.

Individual Report and
Reflection

Table of Contents
PART 1..............................................................................................................................................3
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY......................................................................................................................................3
Explanation of a sustainable approach to business strategy and management...................3
To evidence and analyse the different approaches to CSR of the 3 companies/organisations?
What are the differences and how can you measure success in their CSR strategies?.........6
CONCLUSION....................................................................................................................................9
REFERNCES.....................................................................................................................................10
Online-............................................................................................................................................11
PART 2............................................................................................................................................13
Introduction....................................................................................................................................13
Reflective report on key skill development..........................................................................13
Conclusion.....................................................................................................................................16
References......................................................................................................................................17

PART 1
INTRODUCTION
Corporate social responsibilities (CSR) are those ethical activities and practices
performed by a company for the benefit of natural environment and social society. It is
essential for most of the companies to perform CSR activities for their own growth by making
trustworthy brand image in the market as well as for economical growth of the nation (Latapí
Agudelo, Jóhannsdóttir and Davídsdóttir, 2019). Global Plant Genetics Ltd is founded in the year
2015 and it is headquartered in Hunstanton, Norfolk (Global Plant Genetics Ltd, 2022). The
company provides variety of solutions for the farming of berries and asparagus for international
nurseries and growers. It is unique company which help the farmers to know the best way to
farm a good variety of berries especially strawberry, raspberry, blueberry and blackberry. They
provide licensing opportunities, plant supply, seed and technical support to their clients.
Another company is Siemens AG, which is a German energy technology and
manufacturing company founded in the year 1966 and currently, it is operating in more than
200 countries to provide them technological solutions (Siemens AG, 2022). It is headquartered
in Munich, Southern Germany. Bentley Motors Limited is the company which manufacture
luxury cars and SUVs and it is founded in the year 1919 by H.M. Bentley and W.O. Bentley and it
is headquartered in Crewe, England. The following report covers explanation of a sustainable
approach to business strategy and management, different approaches to CSR of the 3
companies/organisations and how they measure success in their CSR strategies.
MAIN BODY
Explanation of a sustainable approach to business strategy and management
Sustainability is one of the most essential task for any company to grow high within their
industry (Zaman and et. al., 2022). Using various sustainable practices like focusing on waste
management of the company, using high quality of tools and machines which will produce least
carbon emissions and many others. Some of the company, make their business growth strategy
linked with CSR activities because there is a high scope of growth of a company by attracting
customers toward their ethical and sustainable business practices. CSR and sustainability not

only provide benefit to environment and social society but it also provide benefit to company
also. It helps to attract more customers, save cost, reduction of raw material wastage,
differentiate from competitors and many other benefits. There are four approaches of
sustainability for business strategy and management which is also called four pillars of
sustainability. These four approaches are mentioned below-
Social sustainability- These are the activities, investments and practices performed by
the company for the benefit of social society. The main concept behind this approach of
sustainability is to develop the standard of living for the society (He and Harris, 2020). Here,
companies focus to use their natural resources in such a manner which will also save for future
generation. Most of the nation have separate legal laws and regulations for their social
sustainability and companies are supposed to follow them. This will also help the company to
gain high trust of customers and attract more customers toward the company because
customers will trust only those companies which are ethical and sustainable within the
environment. For example, in context of Global Plant Genetics Ltd Company which is operating
in horticultural sector, they are adopting social sustainability by focusing on the cultivation of
healthy berries like blackberry, strawberry, raspberry and many others. Initially the company is
responsible for the protection of IP of new varieties and then they allow licensing for producing
these berries to businesses, nurseries and growers. This company is also popular for their well
developed and well shared vision and mission to their shareholders who will work for the
growth of their company. On the other hand, Siemens AG is also having few of the strategies
from Siemens AG Company is also related to social sustainability. For example, Siemens AG
provide education and technology for education for people so that they will focus on their
software and engineering skills and they also hire same students to whom they provide
education (Siemens UK Education, 2022). This activity of sustainability shows that they are
educating their society so that they will become eligible to earn their livelihoods and become
independent.
Economic sustainability- Economic sustainability aims to maintain the capital intact
(Martins and et. al., 2021). The main aim of this sustainability approach is to build a good
standard of living for the citizens of the nation and help the nation to develop their economical

factors like employment rate, inflation rate, cost of raw material and many others. Most of the
laws and regulations made for CSR activities within the nation help to support economical
development. It is essential that the economy will gain the profit from various CSR activities
performed by the companies. It consists of effective use of natural resources so that it can also
be saved for future generation. For example, in context of Siemens AG, they educate the
students well and enhance their software skills and engineering skills so that they will earn their
livelihood. This will help the nation to enhance their employment rate and make their citizens
independent and knowledgeable to improve their life standards. Secondly, Bentley is focusing
to manufacture only electric vehicles which will help the nation to save their fuel and for future
generation.
Human sustainability- It aims to maintain and improve the human capital in society. The
examples of human sustainability are investments done for improving health system, education
system, nutrition and many others. It is essential for the humans beings to focus on their health
and keep them self healthy. In context of corporate sector, it is essential for them to invest in
human sustainability for creating well-being environment. It also consists of development of
skills and talents to promote the well-being of communities and societies. In context of Siemens
AG, their healthcare facilities help their society to get the treatment of patients in effective
manner with high technological tools and machines which are required in hospitals. On the
other hand, same organisation is also providing education to students to develop software and
engineering skill through their education program. Hence, this shows that they are investing in
human sustainability.
Environmental sustainability- This approach of sustainability aims to improve human
welfare through the protection of natural resources (Stahl and et. al., 2019). In case these
natural resources are not protected well then the human life will get impacted. Impure air to
breath will cause lung deceases, impure water drinking will cause kidney infections or
diarrhoea. In context of companies, they are supposed to work for reducing carbon emission
form environment to make the air muck better to breath. They can also avoid discharging their
chemical wastes into water bodies which cause water pollution. According to Dunphy,
Benveniste, Griffiths and Sutton, the businesses are supposed to analyse the ways and

techniques which can help them to achieve their organisational goal in such a manner which
will protect the environment and did not harm it at any way. In context of Bentley, they are
working to protect their environment by manufacturing electric vehicles and avoid their petrol
vehicle manufacturing totally from 2030. This will help the environment to reduce carbon
emissions from surroundings. On the other hand, same company also plan to reduce the usage
of electricity and produce their electricity through solar energy. Hence, they installed 20,000
solar panels on the roof top of their factories to run their electrical tools and machines
effectively (Bentley Environment, 2022). It is estimated that the power which is generated
through these solar system can be used by 720 houses.
To evidence and analyse the different approaches to CSR of the 3 companies/organisations?
What are the differences and how can you measure success in their CSR strategies?
Sustainable business strategy and management are those practices and actions which help the
company contribute their efforts and profit for preventing environment as well as for the
development of social society.
Sustainable approach of Global Plant Genetics Ltd Company-
The main business aim of this organisation is to provide the solutions to the farmers
related to berries and asparagus across the world (Lennox, Maher and Reed, 2018). They make
sure that their clients will gain all those technical as well as non-technical solutions which can
improve the quality of their berries and asparagus. It is good that the company is paying
attention to these fruits for developing the life of humans. They always provide those solutions
to their clients which will not harm their natural environment as well as it will further help to
benefit social society effectively. The tools and machines which they offer to their clients are
carbon emission free and did not harm the fruits quality while testing. They only promote to
grow healthy food products like blueberries, blackberry, raspberries and many other berries.
They provide expert advices to their clients which help them to become effective cultivator or
the berries and asparagus so that they will become leader in cultivating these crops (Explore our
Asparagus varieties, 2022).
Sustainable approach of Siemens AG

Environmental approach- Many of the employees of Siemens spend time with local
Wildlife Trust and participate actively for the activities which will improve their local natural
spaces. This makes their employees happier, satisfied and makes them feel positive for creating
well-being working environment within their organisation. Hence, due to which their
performance get enhanced. More than 81% of employees mentioned that they feel much
better and motivated to work after returning from local wildlife trust (Engaging Siemens
employees with nature and understanding the benefits, 2022).
Social approach- The Siemens Education provide around 8,700 employees globally to
teach about the courses to students which can help them for building a better professional life
for them (Siemens UK Education, 2022). They mainly focuses on the software skills of the
students and provide them technical and practical knowledge. All the required resources like
smart classrooms with digital monitoring techniques and many other tools and machines for
learning are managed by the company. Hence, they are focusing on providing education to the
society.
Governance approach- The Siemens Company pays their tax on time and openly share
their financial data to general public and government. They also focus on maintaining human
rights at their organisation and respect each law and regulation made for employment by their
government. They did not discriminate their employees on the basis of gender, religion, skin
colour and many other factors (Human Rights, 2022). Hence, this shows that the company is
ethical toward following their government rules and regulations.
Sustainable approach of Bentley Company
Bentley is a automotive company, hence, the manufacturing process of cars can cause
the environment badly. Therefore, they are focused to protect their environment from harmful
effects of carbon emissions for which they installed those tools and machines which produce
less carbon emission. In the year 2013, the company installed 20,000 solar panels at the roof
top of its factories which help them to run their electric tools and machines through solar
power and save electricity (Bentley Environment, 2022). In the year 2019, it further installed
10,000 more solar panels for their operations. They are also focused to manage their wastage
and try to reuse their wasted resources again if it is possible. This company also announces that

its first electric car will launch in the year 2025 and from 2030 it will only sell electric cars
(Bentley to Sell Only EVs Starting in 2030, 2022).
Differences for performing CSR activities by all three companies-
There is different way of using CSR strategies by the all chosen companies. All these
three companies first analyse the nature of their business and industry and then they find out
the best CSR practices which can help them to make a better brand image for their organisation
and gain more customers (Wamsler, 2020). In context of Global Plant Genetics Ltd, they are
more focused to provide social benefit by helping their farmers and other companies to grow
healthy berries and asparagus. They make sure that they will provide a expert advice and better
solutions to their clients to gain their trust which further help them to gain the loyalty of that
customer and this is how the CSR approach of Global Plant Genetics Ltd help them to become
successful in market.
On the other hand, Siemens AG provides various environmental, social and governance
benefits. They make sure that their environment will get protected and they also send their
employees to spend their time at local wildlife trust. This will further help them to create a
positive mind-set for their employees which further help them to enhance their productivity at
organisation. Hence, this is how they get success from their CSR strategies. Secondly, they teach
their local students about various studies related to software and engineering so that they will
develop their professional life. Most of the students which learnt the skills from Siemens AG
company's CSR educational strategy will be hired by the company's itself for maintaining their
business operations. Hence, this is how both things performing CSR practices as well as hiring
skilled employees both practices will be conducted and beneficial for the company.
Whereas, Bentley is focusing on future growth of the company and targeting to start
manufacturing electric vehicles and convert their production totally from petrol vehicles to
electric vehicles from the year 2030. on the other hand, they installed solar panels on the roof
top of their factories to run their machines and tools with solar power which further help them
to save their environment as well as cost which they incurred be paying huge electricity bills.
Hence, they get success from their CSR activities by saving their cost and adopting current
marketing trend of their industry which is electric vehicles. This CSR strategy will help them to

increase their sales because auto mobile industry is switching toward to produce electric
vehicles due to customers demand (Scoones and et. al., 2020). Hence, this will help the
company to grow well and gain competitive advantage.
CONCLUSION
From the above information it is concluded that CSR activities are those activities which
are performed by companies for the betterment of environment and social group of
communities. There are few approaches of sustainability like environmental sustainability,
human sustainability, economic sustainability and many others. Companies can make their
business strategies according to these approaches such as few of the companies provide
education to local communities students to develop their skills and talents. This comes under
economic sustainability and human sustainability. Few of the companies work to reduce the
carbon emission from environment which further help to avoid air pollution and this comes
under environmental sustainability approach.

REFERNCES
He, H. and Harris, L., 2020. The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on corporate social responsibility
and marketing philosophy. Journal of business research, 116, pp.176-182.
Latapí Agudelo, M.A., Jóhannsdóttir, L. and Davídsdóttir, B., 2019. A literature review of the
history and evolution of corporate social responsibility. International Journal of
Corporate Social Responsibility, 4(1), pp.1-23.
Lennox, L., Maher, L. and Reed, J., 2018. Navigating the sustainability landscape: a systematic
review of sustainability approaches in healthcare. Implementation Science, 13(1),
pp.1-17.
Martins, L.S. and et. al., 2021. Electric car battery: An overview on global demand, recycling and
future approaches towards sustainability. Journal of environmental management, 295,
p.113091.
Scoones, I. and et. al., 2020. Transformations to sustainability: combining structural, systemic
and enabling approaches. Current Opinion in Environmental Sustainability, 42, pp.65-
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Stahl, B.C. and et. al., 2019. Ethics in corporate research and development: can responsible
research and innovation approaches aid sustainability?. Journal of Cleaner
Production, 239, p.118044.
Wamsler, C., 2020. Education for sustainability: Fostering a more conscious society and
transformation towards sustainability. International Journal of Sustainability in Higher
Education.
Zaman, R. and et. al., 2022. Corporate governance meets corporate social responsibility:
Mapping the interface. Business & Society, 61(3), pp.690-752.

Online-
Global Plant Genetics Ltd, 2022 [Online] available through:
<https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-plant-genetics-ltd/>
Siemens AG, 2022 [Online] available through:
<https://www.britannica.com/topic/Siemens-AG/>
Explore our Asparagus varieties, 2022 [Online] available through:
<https://www.globalplantgenetics.com/programs/asparagus/>
Engaging Siemens employees with nature and understanding the benefits, 2022 [Online]
available through:
<https://www.wildlifetrusts.org/partnerships/working-businesses/siemens/>
Siemens UK Education, 2022 [Online] available through:
<https://new.siemens.com/uk/en/company/education.html/>
Human Rights, 2022 [Online] available through:
<https://new.siemens.com/global/en/company/sustainability/humanrights.html/>
Bentley to Sell Only EVs Starting in 2030, 2022 [Online] available through:
<https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a34586146/bentley-ev-plan-2020/>
Bentley Environment, 2022 [Online] available through:
<https://corporate.bentley/en/bentley-corporate/sustainability/environment.html/>