Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Practices Essay

This essay addresses the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) as an organization's commitment to serve both its own interests and those of its stakeholders, emphasizing sustainability as a key goal. It requires a discussion of this statement, using an organization to illustrate CSR practices. The essay involves describing, applying, and critically evaluating relevant theoretical concepts that influence sustainability practices within the chosen organization, considering multiple stakeholder perspectives and potential conflicts. It emphasizes the importance of academic literature and source materials to support arguments. The assessment criteria focus on the application and critical evaluation of theoretical concepts, writing skills, and referencing, adhering to APA 6 guidelines, academic language, and a minimum of three academic journal citations. The essay must follow a standard structure, including an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Assessment item 2b
Due date: 17-Dec-2016
Return date: 13-Jan-2017
Length: 1000 words
Submission method options
Alternative submission method
Task
According to Schermerhorn (2012), Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an
organisation’s obligation to act in ways that serve both its own interests and the interests of
stakeholders, representing society at large. Sustainability is an important social
responsibility goal.
Discuss this statement using an organisation to illustrate CSR practices. To do this you
should describe, apply and critically evaluate the applicability of relevant theoretical
concepts in influencing sustainability practices in your chosen organisation. Consider
multiple perspectives: stakeholders will have different and sometimes conflicting interests.
Refer to relevant academic literature and source materials.
Rationale
This assessment addresses the following subject learning objectives.
 be able to critically analyse and evaluate a variety of management theories and practices;
 be able to critically examine management and organisational theories and practices in the
context of contemporary society and social values;
 be able to identify and apply a variety of management and organisational theories and
practices;
 be able to critically reflect on ethical theories and social responsibility ideologies to
create organisational sustainability.
This assessment will also give you skills in using empirical evidence to support your arguments.
Marking criteria

Criteria High Distinction
(85-100%)
Distinction (75 –
84%)
Credit (65 –
74%)
Pass (50 –
64%)
Fail
0- 49%
Application
of
appropriate
theoretical
concepts to
management
practices
within an
organisation
(/4)
You meet the
distinction criteria.
You synthesise
theoretical concepts
on CSR and their
impact on
stakeholders.
You accurately and
adequately describe
and apply
theoretical concepts
on CSR.
You include and
compare the impact
on several
stakeholders in your
application.
All of your
arguments are
supported by current
academic journals.
You accurately
and adequately
describe and
apply
theoretical
concepts on
CSR.
You include
the impact on
several
stakeholders.
Most of your
arguments are
supported by
current
academic
journals.
You describe
and apply
theoretical
concepts on
CSR, which is
mostly
accurately and
adequately
done.
You include
the impact on
some
stakeholders.
Some of your
arguments are
supported by
academic
journals.
You do
not
meet
the pass
criteria
Critical
evaluation
of
theoretical
concepts
and their
influence on
management
practices in
an
organisation
. (/8)
You meet the
distinction criteria.
You synthesise
these evaluative
perspectives and
present a unique
holistic perspective
on the applicability
of the CSR to
contemporary
workplaces.
You include
multiple evaluative
perspectives of
theory (CSR) and
application
including multiple
perspectives on the
impact on several
stakeholders.
Your evaluations are
based on sound
logic
All of your
arguments are
supported by
academic journals.
You include
some
evaluation of
theory (CSR)
and application
including the
impact on more
than one
stakeholder.
Most of your
arguments are
supported by
academic
journals.
You include
some
evaluation of
theory (CSR)
and
application.
Some of your
arguments are
supported by
academic
journals.
You do
not
meet
the pass
criteria
Writing
skills and
referencing
Mark: /3
Your writing flows
well and is
understandable, you
use academic
language and follow
English mechanics
Your paragraphs are
well structured and
Your writing flows
well and is
understandable, you
use academic
language and follow
English mechanics
Your citations and
reference list
Your writing is
understandable,
you use
academic
language and
largely follow
English
mechanics
Your writing is
understandable.
Your citations
and reference
list mostly
follow the APA
format.
Does
not
meet
pass
criterio
n

Criteria High Distinction
(85-100%)
Distinction (75 –
84%)
Credit (65 –
74%)
Pass (50 –
64%)
Fail
0- 49%
sequence logical.
Your citations and
reference list
accurately follow
the APA format.
accurately follow
the APA format.
Your citations
and reference
list accurately
follow the APA
format.
No marks awarded but a maximum of 5 marks each may be
deducted for the following:
Exceeding word count (+/- 10%)
Presentation guidelines not met
Exceeding text match (max 20%)
Number of references less than 3
Essay structure not followed
Presentation
Please see presentation guidelines in the ‘Assessment Information’ section of the subject outline.
Requirements
You must follow an essay structure which includes an introduction; a body that outlines the
argument, analyses the literature researched and answers the essay question; and a conclusion.
Your writing style must follow professional literacy which includes the following.
 Citations and a final reference list that follows the APA 6 guidelines accurately. Please
see the CSU Referencing website at http://student.csu.edu.au/study/referencing-at-csu
 Academic language (respectful, non-emotive, inclusive, non-sexist) and accurate English
mechanics (spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.)
 A minimum of three (3) academic journals as citations/references.