Study Skills Assignment: Hofstede and Literature Review on CSR

This assignment delves into the realm of study skills, presenting a report that critically evaluates Hofstede's cultural dimensions and explores the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). The report begins by examining Hofstede's cultural dimensions, including individualism/collectivism, power distance, and uncertainty avoidance, offering a comprehensive understanding of their impact on societal and business environments. It provides a critical evaluation of the suggestions made in the article, including the author's agreements and disagreements. The assignment then transitions to a literature review on CSR, defining its purpose, types, and contributions to academic study. It highlights how literature reviews provide direction for future research, identify gaps in existing knowledge, and contribute to students' academic work. The report concludes with a synthesis of the key findings and a comprehensive understanding of the topics.

STUDY SKILLS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
ASSESSMENT 1.............................................................................................................................1
Critically evaluate the suggestions made in the article on Hofstede's cultural dimensions...1
Which do you agree with and which do you disagree with? Justify your position................2
Are there any other suggestions you would like to make?.....................................................3
ASSESSMENT 2.............................................................................................................................4
What is a literature review and what does it achieve?............................................................4
Write a literature review on the topic “Corporate Social Responsibility”.............................5
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Study Skills, study strategies or academic skills are different approaches to effective
learning. These skills are very critical in nature for getting success in school and these are
considered as the most essential for achieving and acquiring good grades. Improving study skills
and academic knowledge helps individual to gain benefits in both academic and future lives. The
academic and study skills are also useful for learning and improving knowledge throughout one's
life. The present report is based on a task description and essay writing. Various techniques are
used for analyzing and interpreting information. Literature review of give topic is made in the
report and it refers to an explanation and summary of a given topic as found in journal article or
academic books.
MAIN BODY
TASK 1
1. Critically evaluate the suggestions made in the article on Hofstede's cultural dimensions
Culture refers to the customs, social behavior and ideas of particular person or overall
society and it also provides guidance and directions regarding how people behave and think.
There are five elements of culture such as rituals, symbols, values, though a process and
beliefs. Hofstede, Geert developed cultural dimension theory and identified four dimensions of
culture and describes that these four dimensions bring profound impacts on the business
environment. The four cultural dimensions as identified by Hofstede are uncertainty avoidance,
masculinity/ femininity, power distance and individualism/ collectivism (Elbaz, 2018). This
theory has a strong base to some extent as it focuses on exploring the main aspects of culture
of an individual, society or organization. The significance of Hofstede's Cultural dimension is
that it helps in portraying impacts of different cultures that are ingrained in society on values.
The individualism/ collectivism cultural dimensions refers or considers the degree of
which individual and society focus on integrating into groups or depend on groups or prefer to be
alone. The negative impact of individualism term is that it indicates that attaining personal goals
and objectives are essential whereas, the term collectivism brings positive impacts as it aims
that the well-being and goals of the group are important (Suzuki and Okuda, 2018). Several
countries of Asia and Mexico are examples of collectivism and the United States is an example
of individualism. The individualism is not acceptable in the business organization as everyone
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needs to take responsibilities for other members of the society or group as well. Collectivism can
bring better results and outcomes in any form as people work coordinated.
The power distance dimension of culture refers to the degree to which the power and
inequality are tolerated. The power and inequality can viewed from the point of view of
subordinates and superiors. High power distance refers that the culture accepts power and
inequality differences which is negative impact. Whereas, low power distance refers that culture
aims at encouraging equality and decentralized structure and it is referred as the positive impact.
(Villarreal and Martinez, 2018). The examples of high power distance culture are Arab Countries
and United States consists of both high and lower power distance cultures. However, the
theory has analyzed the power distance in different dimensions such as in Arab countries. The
country has high power distance because of the nature of the kingdom. Low power needs to be
present in every situation, as high power and inequality brings ineffective results and also allows
upward mobility for its rich members or citizens and poor members of society are ignored.
Uncertainty avoidance considers the degree to which ambiguity and uncertainty can be
tolerated and this cultural dimension considers how one can deal with unexpected situations or
events. High uncertainty avoidance refers to a low tolerance for risk-taking and uncertainty and
its example is Great Britain, which leads to bring better and positive results and impacts.
The organization following this cultural dimension has more rules and regulations on workplace.
Whereas, low uncertainty avoidance indicates that they have high tolerance regarding ambiguity,
uncertainty and risk-taking and its example can be Canada as they think it can lead to bring
innovation and also successful results and outcomes and this may also lead to bring negative
impacts (AlFaris and et.al., 2018). The uncertainty avoidance needs to be considered and it
reflects about whether society is rule-oriented or not, it rapidly accepts the changes or not and
takes or avoids risks.
2. Which do you agree with and which do you disagree with? Justify your position
The Hofstede's cultural dimension theory aims at providing in-depth knowledge and
analysis of the four main cultural dimensions which are power distance, masculinity/ femininity,
uncertainty avoidance and individualism/ collectivism. The theory explains various cultural
differences which are being used for researching of cultural aspects. The significance
of hofested's cultural dimension is that it allows us to compare and contrast various cultures. The
comparison of different culture provides the understanding of different dimensions. These
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dimensions can help in analyzing the business organization to get a better understanding about
the intercultural differences within regions or countries.
The four cultural dimensions are necessary for business organization and society at large
for facilitating management and other aspects. As per my view, the individualism and
collectivism cultural dimensions are not correct. Everyone needs to be responsible and share the
responsibility in the group as well. The collectivism behavior and culture can bring better results
and outcomes in every aspect. Attaining and achieving personal goals are important, but to focus
only on individual interest rather than group or team is also incorrect (AlFaris and et.al., 2018).
Hofstede's theory describes good reflection of cultural aspects and dimensions of people
or society. I agree with the uncertainty avoidance as it considers about the tolerance, ambiguity
and risk-taking extent or degree of people and society. The people or organizations having low
tolerance and risk-taking generally have high uncertainty avoidance. This helps in indicating
how the best culture can be used for obtaining required work or projects by providing security.
The high uncertainty avoidance will always bring effective and better results as it minimizes risk
and possibility of any dangerous situation. The strict rules and regulations helps in reducing the
risk factors and provides safety and also effective achievement of targets. Therefore, I agree with
this cultural dimension of individual people and society (Gormley and et.al., 2018).
3. Are there any other suggestions you would like to make?
The Hofstede's cultural dimension theory describes about the cultural and behavioral
differences of people, organizations and society. Theory only focuses on analyzing the cultural
differences, therefore, it lacks in some extent and factors. Proper analysis and evaluation can be
done by adding more factors of dimension that can help in the proper evaluation of people's
behavior and beliefs. The theory describes about individualism and collectivism dimension
of culture, but how can this dimension may bring influences on people while shopping.
McDonald's, KFC and Subway are successful in their business, even when they follow different
culture
The uncertainty avoidance dimension of culture describes about the level or degree of
extent of which people can tolerate the uncertainty or ambiguity (Rozakis, 2018). The high level
of uncertainty avoidance refers to people do not take risks or ignore uncertainty situations by
following strict rules and regulations. Organizations can also make use of various technologies
and techniques that can help in preventing and controlling any uncertainty situation or event
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happening at the workplace. Organizations can focus on providing training and development
programs for employees and workers so that they are capable of handling or managing any
uncertainty situation effectively.
TASK 2
1. What is a literature review and what does it achieve?
The literature review is an explanation given on a specific subject or topic and it can be
considered from journal articles or academic books. It is also called as the text of a scholarly
paper that includes current knowledge and substantive research and findings as well. The
literature review plays a specific role for surveying various books, scholarly articles or any
source that is relevant to a particular area of research or issue or theory (LAN and Tuamsuk,
2018). It provides summary, description and also critical evaluation of various sources regarding
research problem or issue that is being invested. The literature review is a methodological
theoretical contributions on a particular literature topic. There are two types of literature reviews
and includes assignments and research report or thesis. The stand-alone assignments are prepared
by students in their course or academic studies. It can also be part of training for researching
process in specific field. It provides summary, description and also critical evaluation of various
sources regarding a research problem or issue that is being invested. The literature review is a
methodological theoretical contributions on a particular literature topic. There are two types of
literature reviews and includes assignments and research report or thesis. The stand-alone
assignments are prepared by students in their course or academic studies. It can also be part of
training for researching process in a specific field. The other one can be part of introduction or
preparation for review for longer work such as a thesis or research reports (Noble, 2018).
The perspective and focus of the review and kind of thesis argument or hypothesis made
by writer are determined by what kind of review he is writing. The literature review of a specific
topic or subject helps in analyzing the structure of arguments and it also addresses issues.
Purpose of Literature Review
Literature reviews can provide direction and clues as where the future research is
heading. The review can recommend areas which need to be focused on. It highlights the key
findings and thus helpful for readers. The literature report gives reader to have easy access for
researching on specific or particular topic. The reader can also select high quality studies or
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articles which are relevant, important and also meaningful. The research findings are valid and
summarized into a single complete report, which provides ease to the reader(Ramírez-Montoya
and García-Peñalvo, 2018).
The literature review ensures that the researcher does not make use of the work that has
already been used and result in duplicating the work. This also provides good and an excellent
starting point to researcher for doing research in new areas. It forces researcher to summarize the
topic and evaluate that and also to compare that with original research in some specific area or
field. The purpose of the literature review is that it can identify gaps, inconsistencies and
contradictions which are available in the literature (Pate and Scullion, 2018). The literature
review also aims at providing constructive analysis and investigation of approaches and
methodologies of various other researchers.
Contribution of Literature Review in Academic study or work
The literature review also contributes in academic study and work. The students are also
provided with assignments and research report on the study and academic fields. The students
can make effective use of the literature review to place each work according to its contribution to
research problem understanding that was being studied. It can also help in description of
relationship of every task or work with others with some considerations.
With the help of literature review, the students can identify ways of interpreting some
topic or subject in their academic study and work. It also helps in shedding light on any
contradictions or gaps from previous research. The students can use literature review in their
academic work and study for identifying different areas of prior scholarship for preventing
duplication of work and waste of efforts. It can also be used for resolving the conflicts which
were amongst apparently contradictory in previous studies or research. The student can make use
of literature review of their academic study and work of locating the own research within the
context of some existing literature.
2. Write a literature review on the topic “Corporate Social Responsibility”.
According to Hart (2018), Corporate Social Responsibility refer to the business approach
that aims at contributing to sustainable development of the environment. It focuses on delivering
social, economical and environmental benefits for all the stakeholders of the company and also
to bring improvements in society. Overall, the CSR aims at driving beneficial changes towards
sustainability.
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And the Moon and Knudsen (2018), the Corporate Social Responsibility movement
focuses on two motivating and encouraging organizations for being more responsible and aware
regarding the impacts of their business on the rest of society, stakeholder and overall
environment. The CSR is a broad concept which aims at addressing various topics and issues
such as corporate governance, human rights, health and safety, working conditions,
environmental effects and contribute to economic development. The corporate social
responsibility brings a number of benefits for organizations. For example, an
organization focusing on maintaining sustainability gains benefits in the
form of attracting customers, increasing market share and profitability of the
company. Organizations can also achieve a sustainable market position in intensely competitive
markets. It can also increase customers and employee engagement by adapting to ethical
practices and being more socially responsible. An organization following ethical practices can
save cost and also increase brand recognition and awareness in target markets.
The Kim, Kim and Qian (2018) suggest that Corporate social responsibility and ethical
practices are important to be followed by business organization in order to achieve great success
and benefits. The Ebiquity Global CSR study states that 91% global customers expect that
business organization operates in a more responsible way and address various issues and
problems such as social, environmental, etc. the study also describes that 84 % of customers seek
out for responsible and sustainable products where possible. The customers also seek products
from the organization who adopts ethical practices and behaviors and they are increasingly aware
regarding the importance of CSR. It demonstrates and describes that business takes effective
interest in wider issue related to social and environment, rather than only those which affect
profitability of business. And this leads to attract more customers and increase brand image
of the company. Platonova and et.al. (2018) describes that it is important to establish CSR
strategy and it needs to be considered as an inseparable and core component for overall product
and service offering companies. The situation of every organization is unique as different
models exist in it that can help companies in achieving CSR objectives and aims.
The organizations are defined for what they do and not just for what they offer. The sustainable
practices, strategies and programs need to be effectively formulated by company that guides and
directs different stakeholders of a company who can help in achieving CSR aims.
Business organizations deal with individual and society so that their needs to be concerned about
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the local, national and internal issues and problems for the sake of their own development and
growth.
There are many drivers of CSR that drives companies to shift their focus on formulating
effective strategies for sustainability. As per the view of Hart (2018), the key drivers of CSR that
motivates and encourages organizations to be more responsible in terms of economic, social and
environmental factors. The key drivers are various rules, regulations of government, customer's
expectations, industry type in which organizations operate and expectations for gaining
competitive advantages. Business organization follows various rules and legislation provided by
government to maintain sustainability, and improve social and ethical practices. Government
legislation and regulatory frameworks are considered as one of the drivers of CSR. The other
driver for CSR, ethical practices and sustainability are customers as well who are becoming more
aware and responsible for environmental issues being increased. Therefore, customers expect to
purchase from those brands and companies who behave in certain appropriate manner and it is
related to providing benefits to society and the community. Corporate social responsibility are
also considered as the reflection of the overall corporate culture and values of top management
of the company.
The researcher also adds that the expectations of customers brings results that it
drives the business organization to be more responsible for environmental issues and adopt
ethical practices in business. Banking industry can also shift its focus to adopting social
responsibility and ethical practices. The banks can transform its bank statements from paper
documents to electronic or e-statements and can save lots of paper and also saving cost on
papers. Hospitality industries can also encourage its employees and customers for not wasting
water and electricity. Adopting these ethical practices and being more responsible can lead to
bring benefits of reducing overall costs and increasing profits by reducing the power and water
usage. This can also bring benefits in the form of improved brand image of the organization and
industry as well. Companies also adapt to be more responsible towards society and the
environment in order to increase their brand image and gain benefits of sustaining in a
competitive business environment. Organizations can build their core image, attract more
customers and also increase sales and profitability by adopting to social practices and behaviors.
Companies have also highlighted their ethical practices and ethical manufacturing practices in
order to attract more customers and increase their market share. For example, Bankaust and
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Etiko Fair-trade are financial institutions and manufacturing company that provides rewards and
benefits in the form of offering them with cheap home loans to customers who are having
environment friendly houses. And this type of cases truly practice social and ethical practices as
they are foregoing their profitability for promoting and contributing to social responsibilities and
communities.
But Noble (2018), argues that the Government aims at imposing certain legislation and
regulatory frameworks on various industries to conform and behaving in a specific manner that
brings benefits to everyone. And in this type of case organization willingly or unwillingly
formulates its business policies in a way that it leads to drive sustainability and ethical practices.
Examples can be regulations which are related to product disposal, polluting
factors, environment, safety, production material, health and safety of workers, etc. Therefore,
the government legislation and regulations are not generally drivers of CSR, but it is followed
by organizations as a requirement which is imposed by government. Adopting ethical practices
and sustainability also increases the cost of business organizations. For example, a
manufacturing company chooses to develop its market share in more developed countries and
therefore, it pays more salary and wages to workers, rather than exploiting poor skilled workers
or labourers in the developed country. This factor will lead to bring impact on the unit margin
and profitability of the company. The company may be unwilling doing this, therefore, it can not
be considered as the drivers of corporate social responsibility and sustainability. There are a
number of industries on which there is great pressure and expectations to become responsible
and adopt ethical practices and drive sustainability. Due to Global Financial Crisis,
expectations of banks and other financial institutions has increased since becoming more ethical
and transparent in business operations and activities. The manufacturing industry is also
feeling great pressure for adopting ethical practices and taking social and environmental
responsibilities. The companies having heavy manufacturing processes have significant factors
that can affect the environment due to pollution, disposal, etc. Thus, it cannot be stated that
different types of industries act as a driver to sustainability and CSR.
CONCLUSION
The present report is based on a study and academic skills. There are various skills and
knowledge that can drive academic works of students towards success. The academic
practices help students to bring improvements in their study and academic works. The present
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report has evaluated an essay or article provided. Hofstede Greet's cultural dimensions are
critically evaluated in the report. The cultural dimensions brings great influences and impacts on
the business environment. The suggestion made and answer written helps individual to improve
various required skills. The report has helped researcher to effectively and critically evaluate the
report and improve interpretation and time management skill. The literature review is also made
on CSR and it has also helped individual in gaining and improving academic and study skills.
The literature review helps individual inimproving interpretation and writing skill. The literature
review is made by surveying various books and articles related to given topic and helps
individual to gain more knowledge of a specific topic or issue. Corporate Social Responsibility
refers to broad concept that governs business organization's activities. CSR is the business
approach which aims at contribution for sustainable development and the environment.
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REFERENCES
Books And Journal
AlFaris, E. and et.al., 2018. Validation of a new study skills scale to provide an explanation for
depressive symptoms among medical students. PloS one. 13(6). p.e0199037.
Elbaz, F., 2018. Teacher thinking: A study of practical knowledge. Routledge.
Gormley, M. J. and et.al., 2018. Impact of study skills and parent education on first-year GPA
among college students with and without ADHD: A moderated mediation model. Journal
of attention disorders. 22(4). pp.334-348.
Hart, C., 2018. Doing a literature review: Releasing the research imagination. Sage.
Kim, K. H., Kim, M. and Qian, C., 2018. Effects of corporate social responsibility on corporate
financial performance: A competitive-action perspective. Journal of Management, 44(3),
pp.1097-1118.
Lan, N. T. and Tuamsuk, K., 2018. Factors Influencing the Collaboration between Faculty and
Librarian at the Universities: A Literature Review. TLA Research Journal. 11(2). pp.78-
90.
Moon, J. and Knudsen, J. S., 2018, July. Corporate social responsibility and government.
In Academy of Management Proceedings (Vol. 2018, No. 1, p. 12777). Briarcliff Manor,
NY 10510: Academy of Management.
Noble, K. A., 2018. Clarifying the Review Conundrum: Literature, Integrative, Systematic,
Scoping.
Pate, J. and Scullion, H., 2018. The flexpatriate psychological contract: A literature review and
future research agenda. The International Journal of Human Resource
Management. 29(8). pp.1402-1425.
Platonova, E. and et.al., 2018. The impact of corporate social responsibility disclosure on
financial performance: Evidence from the GCC Islamic banking sector. Journal of
Business Ethics. 151(2). pp.451-471.
Ramírez-Montoya, M. S. and García-Peñalvo, F. J., 2018. Co-creation and open innovation:
Systematic literature review.
Rozakis, L., 2018. Test Taking Strategies & Study Skills for the Utterly Confused. McGraw-Hill.
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Suzuki, K. and Okuda, T., 2018, July. A Task Partitioning Method in Study Skills Using
Queuing Models. In 2018 IEEE International Professional Communication Conference
(ProComm) (pp. 32-34). IEEE.
Villarreal, V. and Martinez, A., 2018. Assessing Study Skills in College Students: A Review of
Three Measures. Journal of College Student Development. 59(5). pp.629-635.
Online
The Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility for Your Business. 2018. [Online]. Available
through: <https://www.highspeedtraining.co.uk/hub/importance-of-corporate-social-
responsibility/>
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