Implementing CSR Activities to Meet Sustainable Objectives

This project focuses on implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within an organization to achieve sustainable objectives. The project begins with devising a rationale for the chosen small-scale project, which involves raising funds to establish a school for children through donations and employee engagement. A detailed project management plan is developed, outlining aims, objectives, scope, business benefits, constraints, and risks. The project includes a Gantt chart and Work Breakdown Structure to schedule and organize tasks. The research phase involves both qualitative and quantitative methods, including surveys and secondary research. Data analysis is performed, and recommendations are provided, followed by a final performance review. The project highlights the benefits of CSR, such as improved public image, employee engagement, and societal impact, while also addressing potential risks. The project aims to provide a comprehensive approach to implementing CSR activities, including research, planning, and execution, and concludes with a final performance review.

IMPLEMENTING CSR ACTIVITIES WITHIN ORGANISATIONS TO
MEET SUSTAINABLE OBJECTIVES
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Contents
Assignment 1.........................................................................................................................................3
Task1. Devise a rationale for choice suitable for a small-scale project..............................................3
Task 2. Project Management Plan.....................................................................................................5
Task 3. Produce a project schedule (Gantt chart) and Work Breakdown Structure............................8
Assignment 2.......................................................................................................................................10
Task 1. Carry out a small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitate research methods
appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives........................................................................10
Assignment 3.......................................................................................................................................13
Task 1. Analysis of primary and secondary research.......................................................................13
Task 2. Strengths and weakness of data analysis.............................................................................16
Task 3. Recommendations and Conclusion.....................................................................................16
Assignment 4.......................................................................................................................................17
Task 1. Final Performance Review..................................................................................................17
References...........................................................................................................................................19
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Assignment 1
Task1. Devise a rationale for choice suitable for a small-scale project
The project is related to implementing CSR activities within the organization. Practicing CSR
is not mandatory; however, it supports organizations to take effective steps in order to
improve society.
The overall purpose of this project is to carry out the responsibilities of a company in context
to social aspects. The project prompts to arrange a fund to set up a school for children. This
fund can be arranged by the organization through various methods such as- donation,
employee`s engagement etc. (Ruediger & Ruediger, 2014). This project is important to be
carried out for different reasons. As implementing CSR activities is beneficial for
organizations, employees working within the organization and the society as well. Funds
raised for setting up a school will support the organization in discharging its social
responsibilities. This project is required as a number of benefits will be availed by successful
accomplishment of the project, such as:
 Implementation of CSR activities within the organization will help in improving the
public image of the company.
 The media coverage for the organization will also increase by effective
implementation of corporate social responsibility.
 This project will help in attracting and retaining investors, as investors prefer to invest
in those organizations that have a good public image.
 One of the other needs for the project is that it will help in boosting the engagement of
the employees. As when companies demonstrate their dedication towards enlightening
their communities by corporate charitable programs, then organizations are more
likely to entice and hold diligent and engaged employees.
Besides the above benefits of organization, employees will also be benefitted through this
project, such as:
 Enhancement of employee’s creativity.
 Positive workplace environment
 The project will help in promoting individual philanthropy of employees
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 When corporate social responsibility is carried out by an organization, then employees
of that organization are able to develop their personal and professional skills
(JOSEPH, 2013).
The society will also be benefitted by this project, as a school can be set up which will
provide education to the children. Education is necessary for the development of children.
This project`s end result should be in such a manner that, the fund for setting the school shall
be raised, organization and the employees shall get benefitted from the corporate social
responsibility.
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Task 2. Project Management Plan
A plan for managing the project is given below:
S. No. Activities Description
1 Aims and objectives The aim of the project is to implement the activities
related to corporate social responsibility within the
organization.
Objectives- The SMART objectives of the project
are:
 Gaining benefits for the business through
corporate social responsibilities.
 Offering prospects for the employees through
CSR activities to gain benefits, such as-
developing professional and personal skills,
enhanced creativity etc.
 To discharge the social responsibilities of the
organization
 Raising funds for the project`s success. As the
raised fund will be used for setting a school,
in which children could get an education in
fewer fees.
The above aims and objectives of the project will be
used to evaluate or assess the success of the project.
2 Scope The scope of the project is wide. As this project can
make a positive impact on the organization, society
and the employees of the organization. The project
will only implement CSR activities within the
organization (Epstein-Reeves, 2012). Activities that
may affect the profitability of the organization or may
affect the interests of the employees or the society
will be not be carried out. The project shall only be
related to raising funds and making the concepts of
the employees clear about CSR.
3 Business benefits A number of benefits can be derived through
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implementing CSR activities within the organization.
In perspective to business the desired benefits that
could be availed through successful completion of the
project are:
 Enlightening the public image of the
company.
 Better media coverage for the organization.
As positive media coverage will help in
making a positive image of the company
among consumers and investors (Belal, 2016).
 Certain benefits also bring some other
advantages for the business. As the above
benefit i.e. positive media coverage will
support in enticing and retaining investors.
Shareholders or the investors will like to make
a high investment in the organization which
has a positive public image.
 The other benefit for the business that will be
derived from implementing the CSR activities
is that employee’s engagement could be
boosted through such practices (HEAGNEY,
2012).
One of the other needs for the project is that it will
help in boosting the engagement of the employees.
4 Constraints for the
project
During the project, following aspects will be
considered:
 The project shall be accomplished within a
particular deadline.
 Utilization of the resources in the project,
such as- employees (team members), time and
monetary resources shall be done in an
optimum way. Wastage of the resources shall
not be done, as it can affect the business
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operations of the organization.
5 Risks The risks that may be faced while carrying out the
project are- conflict may arise among team members,
problems may be faced while data collection and
analysis of data.
6 Time estimation The estimated time for the accomplishment of the
project is two months. A project schedule will help in
performing all the activities of the project in a step by
step manner by considering the time limit to complete
the particular activity.
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Task 3. Produce a project schedule (Gantt chart) and Work Breakdown Structure.
Sr Activities Starting date Finishing date Total days in
accomplishing
activity
1 Communicating the idea to
upper level management2
2 August, 2017 2 August, 2017 1 Day
2 Aims and objectives 3 August, 2017 6 August, 2017 4 Days
3 Primary data collection
(Hand out survey
questionnaire to employees)
7 August, 2017 15 August,
2017
9 Days
4 Secondary data collection 14 August,
2017
16 August,
2017
3 Days
5 Analysis of primary data 17 August,
2017
20 August,
2017
4 Days
6 Analysis of secondary data 20 August,
2017
22 August,
2017
3 Days
7 Encouraging employees and
project teammates to
participate in the project
23 August,
2017
28 August,
2017
6 Days
8 Communicating with
management for project`s
final approval
29 August,
2017
30 August,
2017
2 Days
9 Get the resources 31 August,
2017
6 September,
2017
7 Days
10 Organizing event for
fundraising
5 September,
2017
9 September,
2017
5 Days
11 Conclusion 10 September,
2017
14 September,
2017
5 Days
12 Total number of days 55 Days
(Ray , 2017)
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Gantt chart
Work Breakdown Structure
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Assignment 2
Task 1. Carry out a small-scale research by applying qualitative and quantitate research
methods appropriate for meeting project aims and objectives.
The implementation of the CSR activities cannot be done without relevant data. The data
required for the project is collected through both primary and secondary research. As to
accomplish the project in a successful manner and to achieve the aims and objectives of the
undertaken project, data in the qualitative and quantitative form is being required.
Primary research: The quantitate data for the research will be collected through survey
technique. As through survey, information about the employee`s perception in context to
corporate social responsibilities can be accessed. The survey is done through handing out a
questionnaire to 30 employees. The questions in the questionnaire are formed in such a
manner so that the answers to the question could help in analyzing the information about
employee`s views in regards to corporate social responsibilities, benefits of CSR for the
organization, society and for employees as well. The employees who will respond to the
survey are being selected through random sampling technique. The sample of the
questionnaire is given below:
Name
Age: Gender:
Q1. At what level you are employed?
(a) Intern Employee (b) Upper level management (c) Manager
Q2. Are you aware of the theme corporate social responsibility?
(a) I am not aware of the concept of CSR until taking this survey
(b) Heard about CSR concept, but not really know about it
(c) I am very well known about CSR and can explain this concept to someone else, as well.
Q3. Which area of social responsibility is more significant for the organization?
a) Welfare policy for employees
b) Environment protection
c) Relationship with community
d) Relationship with suppliers and clients
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Q4. As per your opinion, what are the reasons, which might be considered by an
organization to adopt CSR practices?
(a) Promote corporate image
(b) Ethical motivation of top management
(c) Efficiency enhancement
(d) Greater employee satisfaction
(e) Public incentives
Q5. How much time would you like to spend willingly on community services in a given
year? If any program related to CSR is sponsored by your organization.
(a) Half day
(b) 2-3 Days
(c) More than 3 days
(d) I am not interested in participating in any CSR activity sponsored by the
organization
Q6. Are you interested in donating some money, which will be used by your organization
in setting a school for the children?
(a) Yes
(b) No
(c) Maybe
Q7. How much money would you like to donate to the social cause?
(a) $500
(b) Less than $500
(c) More than $500
( Engel, et al., 2014)
Secondary research
Secondary research is approached to collect qualitative data for the project. Articles and
books related to CSR are being accessed to collect the relevant data for the research.
Descriptive data is approached through secondary research ( Israel, 2009). The concept of
CSR in a broad manner is being approached so that the data could be analyzed and the
activities of CSR can be implemented within the organization.
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Literature review: CSR is a form of corporate self-regulation assimilated into a business
model. Some of the practices of CSR are-
 Environmental efforts- Natural environment gets affected by the business practices
such as manufacturing and distribution. It is a responsibility of the organizations to
make efforts to reduce their carbon footprints that can cause a negative influence on
the environment (Jennifer, 2017). The steps taken by the organization to make efforts
for reducing those carbon footprints are regarded as CSR practice.
 Ethical labor practice- Another CSR practice is treating employees in fair and ethical
manner. The rights of the employees shall not be exploited.
 Volunteering- Organizations can participate in charity events that support a social
cause.
By practicing the above CSR activities, an organization can discharge their responsibilities in
context to social aspects. There are a number of benefits of CSR for business organizations
such as- positive public image, enhanced relationship with stakeholders, enticing and
retaining investors, boosting employee’s engagement and much more. Besides this, the
benefits of CSR are also there for the employees, such as- positive working environment,
enhancing employee’s efficiency, enhanced creativity, availing fair and ethical treatment etc.
Whole society gets benefitted through CSR practices of organizations (Jennifer, 2017). As
funds rose through the organizations facilitates in improvising the social aspects, efforts made
by organizations in regards to environmental protection also beneficial for securing the
environment from negative effects of carbon footprints.
Besides the above benefits, there are some risks as well those organizations may face by
practicing CSR activities. Some of the risks related to CSR are-
 Insincere CSR practices can damage the reputation of the firm. For e.g. greenwashing
 CSR practices carried out to trick customers can lead to marketing fraud.
 Resource used for CSR practices in an ineffective manner can increase the cost for the
organizations (Muir, 2015).
 CSR practices can slow down the operations of the business.
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