Managing CSR Activities: A Business Project Management Analysis

This report delves into the critical role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities within the framework of project management. It begins with an introduction highlighting the significance of project management tools and CSR in the corporate world, emphasizing how CSR initiatives can enhance brand image and competitive advantage. The report then presents a detailed project management plan, outlining the aim, objectives, and a structured approach using tools like WBS and Gantt charts. The project aims to analyze the effectiveness of CSR activities in meeting sustainable objectives and gaining competitive advantages. The research employs a qualitative research method, utilizing questionnaires to gather data from managers, followed by thematic analysis to assess the impact of CSR activities on various aspects of the business, including customer attraction, revenue generation, and competitive advantage. The findings indicate that CSR activities positively influence customer perception, enhance revenue, and offer a competitive edge. The report concludes with recommendations and a reflective statement, providing valuable insights for businesses seeking to integrate CSR effectively into their project management strategies.

MANAGING A
SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
PROJECT

INTRODUCTION
In the corporate world, there are several kinds of projects are to be made within different
companies and for which project management is one of the important and significant tool. Along
with this, corporate social responsibilities also play vital role in the company. When a business
entity use different kinds of CSR activities at the workplace then able to attract more number of
customers and create brand image in the industry. The present study shows that how CSR
activities helpful for an entity in order to achieve competitive advantage. Various project
management tools like WBS, Gantt chart etc. are used in current research to manage the project
in fruitful ways. Apart from this, many tools and techniques for carry out the research project are
explained in the present study. At the end of report, recommendations for the firm as well as
reflective statement are provided.
PART 1: Project Management Plan
P1 Aim and objectives of the project
Aim:
To analyse effectiveness of CSR activities within an organisation in order to meet with
sustainable objectives and gain competitive advantage.
In order to meet with the aim of study it divides in small parts which called as objectives.
In the current case by considering the above mentioned aim different objectives are to be made
which are following:
Objectives:
 To identify different CSR activities used by a business enterprise.
 To assess impact of the CSR activities on the competitive advantage of the firm.
 To identify relationship among CSR activities and profitability of business.
 To recommended the firm about various effective CSR activities.
P2 Producing project management plan
Activity Name of activity Preceding
activity
Time duration
(in days)
Cost at each
activity (in GBP)
1

Planning phase 11 days 1130
A Selecting the
topic
- 3 days 250
B Create the issue
for research
A 2 day 100
C Set time frame B 2 days 180
D Allocate
resources
B, C 4 days 600
Implementation
phase
21 days 3520
E Literature review D 5 days 900
F Select research
methods
E 3 days 350
G Collecting data E, F 7 days 1180
H Analyse and
interpret gathered
data
G 6 days 1090
Closing phase 6 days 750
I Drawing
conclusion based
on analysis
H 3 days 345
J Documentation of
project
H, I 2 days 240
K Final submission J 1 day 165
2

Total duration and cost 38 days 5400 GBP
P3 Work breakdown structure (WBS) as well as Gantt chart
WBS
Illustration 1: Work Breakdown Structure
Gantt Chart and Network Diagram
3

Illustration 2: Gantt Chart
Illustration 3: Network Diagram
Critical path = 1+2+4+5+7+8+10+11
Project duration = 3+2+4+5+7+6+2+1 = 30 days.
With the help of network diagram the current research will be completed within 30 days
instead of 38 days.
4

PART 2: Project Log Book
P4 Small scale research with the help of qualitative research method
In order to conduct research on particular topic there are several methods and techniques
are available. With the help of research method the scholar able to collect data in proper and
reliable manner. There are majorly two methods used which are like qualitative and quantitative
(Silverman, 2016). The study is based on the theoretical part and due to which qualitative
method is selected for conducting present research. In this questionnaire are framed by
researcher and then distributed among managers of firm. Questionnaire for collecting data and
analysing about the topic are such as follows:
Research Questionnaire
Demographic information
Name ________________
Gender _______________
How old you are ?
 25 to 39 years
 40 to 54 years
 Above 55 years
Que 1: Are you aware about the CSR activities adopted by the firms ?
 Yes
 No
Que 2: Do you think that, with the help of CSR activities management able to attract more
number of customers ?
 Yes
 No
Que 3: Which kind of different CSR activities adopted by the company ?
5

 Empowering women
 Make the environment better
 Development of rural areas
Que 4: Do you agree that, by adopting more number of CSR activities entity able to generate
more revenue and reduce cost of production ?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
Que 5: Within business process which department take care about CSR activities of the
enterprise ?
 Corporate governance
 HR department
 Administrative function
Que 6: Up to which extent you agree that, through CSR activities an entity able to gain
competitive advantage over the rivals ?
 Higher extent
 Middle extent
 Lower level
Que 7: Which are the CSR activities you want to recommend the company ?
 Providing financial support to educational institutes
 Employee volunteering
 Charity in hospitals
6

Thematic Analysis
Theme 1: Managers aware about the CSR activities adopted by the firms.
Que 1: Are you aware about the CSR activities adopted by the firms ? Respondents
Yes 22
No 13
35
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
22
13
Findings and analysis
From the present analysis it has been found that, most of the managers within entity
aware about the concept of corporate social responsibilities which are used by it. Those
initiatives which are taken by an enterprise in order to welfare of society, environment or other
activities are considered as the CSR. Among chosen 35 number of managers, 22 respondents
highly aware and know that how firm adopt CSR activities and in which ways effect it. In the
negative aspect only 13 managers not know that what is concept of CSR activities and how it
works within industry.
Theme 2: By taking help of CSR activities business able to attract more number of
customers.
7

Que 2: Do you think that, with the help of CSR activities management able to
attract more number of customers ? Respondents
Yes 26
No 9
35
Yes No
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
26
9
Findings and analysis
It can be seen by the current presented graph that 26 managers give positive response and
say that when the firm adopt CSR initiatives then able to attract higher and potential customers.
Only 9 between 35 respondents are those who said that there is not any kind of impact of CSR
activities on the buying behaviour of local community towards the firm. The factor which
considered by positive respondents is that through CSR initiative people aware up to the higher
extent and think that it takes steps for social welfare. As higher the activities done by the
company for improving conditions of society then creates brand image in eyes of population of
country. This is the basic reason for providing the positive responses by the managers of the
company.
Theme 3: CSR activities which are adopted by the company within workplace.
Que 3: Which kind of different CSR activities adopted by the company ? Respondents
8

Empowering women 14
Make the environment better 9
Development of rural areas 12
35
Empowering women
Make the environment better
Development of rural areas
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
14
9
12
Findings and analysis
Several numbers of CSR activities adopted by the companies which supports to them in
terms of generating higher revenue and profit within industry. Different types of CSR initiatives
implement by the business are such as empower women, enhance the beauty of environment and
develop the rural areas. As per the research it has been analysed that, 14 respondents give answer
that firm use CSR strategy is to empower women to make them strong. As per the views of 12
managers it can be said that firm take initiatives to develop rural areas under which it provides
facility of electricity, clean drinking water etc. Due to developing the villages it able to aware the
villagers which will become one kind of marketing for the company. There are very few numbers
of managers like 9 between 35 say that to do CSR activities entity make environment highly
better and attractive.
Theme 4: Managers strongly agree that with the help of CSR activities an entity can
generate higher revenue and decline production costs.
9