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 en...Read More

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.
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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 ?
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 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
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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.
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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
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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.
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Que 4: Do you agree that, by adopting more number of CSR activities entity able
to generate more revenue and reduce cost of production ? Respondents
Strongly agree 15
Agree 12
Neutral 5
Disagree 2
Strongly disagree 1
35
Strongly agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 15
12
5
2
1
Findings and analysis
It can be analysed that 15 managers strongly agree that through implementing CSR
activities in the firm higher number of customers purchase its products and services. As the
customers improve then management needs to manufacture more number of units which lead to
reduce total expenses of production. Along with this, level of revenue and turnover enhance
which is sign of the enhancing profit on the consistent basis. After considering this factor only 12
managers among 35 agree from the present concept. Moreover, those managers who not know
about the CSR activities are either neutral or disagree and give response that there is no impact
of CSR initiatives on the financial department of the firm.
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Theme 5: Corporate governance take care about CSR activities of the enterprise.
Que 5: Within business process which department take care about CSR activities
of the enterprise ? Respondents
Corporate governance 17
HR department 11
Administrative function 7
35
Corporate governance HR department Administrative function
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18 17
11
7
Findings and analysis
When a business entity take steps to use and implement CSR activities within firm then
particular department is there through which such initiatives are monitored. Among 35 managers,
17 say that corporate governance is the accountable function by which all kinds of CSR activities
are to be checked and controlled. Moreover, in accordance to 11 respondents it has been found
that HR department is the proper and effective for take care the CSR initiatives of entity. Apart
from this, at the very sometimes administrative function of the organisation check that firm use
which kind of CSR activities. It can be concluded that corporate governance is one of the best
department by which CSR initiatives are to be monitored and checked within proper timings.
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Theme 6: Managers agree up to higher extent that b y considering CSR activities an entity
able to gain competitive advantage over the rivals.
Que 6: Up to which extent you agree that, through CSR activities an entity able
to gain competitive advantage over the rivals ? Respondents
Higher extent 19
Middle extent 13
Lower level 3
35
Higher extent Middle extent Lower level
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
18
20 19
13
3
Findings and analysis
As per the views of 19 managers it can be found that because of adopting CSR activities
the management is able to gain competitive advantage up to the higher level when rivals are in
the more number. Apart from this, 13 among 35 managers provide response that up to the middle
level CSR activities supportive to the company in terms of gaining competitive advantages over
those firms which operate in same industry. When talking about the impact at lower extent then
only 3 managers agree that who having very little knowledge regarding to the concept of CSR
initiatives.
Theme 7: Recommendation to the firm by managers for implementing CSR activities.
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Que 7: Which are the CSR activities you want to recommend the company ? Respondents
Providing financial support to educational institutes 14
Employee volunteering 9
Charity in hospitals 12
35
Providing financial support to educational institutes
Employee volunteering
Charity in hospitals
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
14
9
12
Findings and analysis
The current theme is based on the recommendations under which managers give
suggestions to the company for adopting new and additional CSR activities. There are 14 and 9
number of respondents between 35 recommend to the firm that it needs to provide support to
educational institutes in form of financial and employee volunteering strategy respectively. With
the help of financial support it able to create highly positive brand image among community and
corporate. Along with this, in accordance to suggestions of 12 managers the company should
give fund and charity in the hospitals by which needy population can take fruitful treatments.
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PART 3: Performance Review
P5 Tools and techniques used for carry out present research
To carry out the present study and research there are several numbers of techniques as
well as methods are to be used. Different research methods which selected in present study are
discussed as below:
Research design- Generally three types of design are available to carry out the research which
are like descriptive, experimental and exploratory. When the mathematical kind of data are
derived and analysed by applying scientific tools then experimental kind of research design is
used by scholars. Apart from this, the condition in which theoretical study needs to be done is
then descriptive kind of research design is adopted (Basic Research Designs, 2012). Moreover,
when scholar has basic knowledge about the topic and go for in-depth analysis then select
descriptive design. In the current case scenario, first research design is to be used by investigator
which is descriptive.
Research approach- The tool which is used by the researcher in order to collect data and
complete the study is identified as research approach. Mainly two number of approaches
available and by taking help of them scholar carry out research smoothly which are such as
inductive and deductive. In the current case, about the CSR activities general description is to be
given and then specific topic is analysed (Mackey and Gass, 2015). Due to this reason here
inductive research approach is seems to better and adopted by investigator.
Research philosophy- When the data are gathered in proper and appropriate ways then
philosophy is to be used by the scholar. Normally two types of research philosophy are there
which are such as interpretivism and positivism. The present study is based on non quantitative
and non scientific research and because of this reason only interpretivism type of philosophy is
used by the investigator (Vaioleti, 2016). When there is scientific research is to be conducted
then positivism type of research philosophy seems highly effectual.
Data collection- In each and every kind of research there is data plays crucial and vital role
because without data and reliable information not possible to complete analysis. To collect
authentic data two kinds of methods available which are primary and secondary. To gathering
primary type of data questionnaire, interview, group discussion etc. sources are adopted. On the
other side those data which are already published and used by to conduct further research called
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as secondary (Riedl, Davis and Hevner, 2014). For assessing secondary data, sources which used
are like publications, newspapers, articles etc. At the current study by using questionnaire
primary data are collected from the managers of an entity.
Data sampling- The questionnaire distributed in the managers of the company where it is not
possible to collect responses from overall managers. In order to reduce this kind of problem there
is sample data are taken by using appropriate method. Basically probabilistic and non-
probabilistic data sampling are available and by taking help of them sample data selected
(Karlsson, 2016). In the present case probabilistic method is used in which simple random
sampling technique is taken into account by scholar. Here sample of 35 managers is taken on
randomly basis and without considering any parameters.
Data analysis- To analyse collected data from managers several methods are there like thematic
and statistical. In the current study thematic type of data analysis technique is used in which on
the basis of research questions themes are framed by investigator.
Research drawbacks- While doing research on the current case study some limitations are faced
by the scholar. Very basic demerit of the study is that it is time consuming and because of this
efficiency of them reduces (Wiek and Lang, 2016). Along with this, highly qualified scholar is
required for the current study who take more charges which is negative point for the firm.
P6 Conclusion and recommendations
It can be concluded from the research that, when a business organisation use project
management within workplace then able complete the project in fruitful ways. CSR activities are
one of the important part of the firm which supportive for it in order to aware potential customers
and local community of the country. The reason is that CSR activities directly impact on the
society because in this company always take initiatives for welfare. It can be concluded that at
the current era, business entity using different number of CSR initiatives which are such as
empowering women, improve the environment of the country, develop the rural areas in terms of
provide clean and drinking water, electricity etc. From the analysis it has been assessed that as
the firm use CSR activities then able to create brand image as well as improve the revenue level
at the end of accounting year. Along with this, it has been ascertained that firm can easily
improve its level of profitability and meet with the sustainable objectives.
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Through the present data analysis it can be clearly assessed that CSR activities supportive
for it in terms of generating competitive advantage within industry. It can be recommended to the
management that, when it uses other effectual kind of CSR initiatives then able to meet with the
objectives within short period of time. The firm should provide support to the educational
institutes in terms of funding and financials. When it gives financial help then seems highly
effective in the eyes of society as well corporates. This kind of CSR initiative helps to those
students who want to do study but due to lack of availability of finance cannot complete further
education. Along with this, it needs to provide volunteering work to the employees which helps
to them to earn extra money or other than salary. Moreover, it can be suggested to the entity that,
it should give charity in the hospitals by which needy people able to take proper treatments.
When company will implement this all the recommended CSR activities then able to achieve
sustainable objectives and gain competitive benefits within the market segment.
P7 Reflective statement
From the present research I found that project management is method through which any
kind of plan can be complete in effective manner. Along with this, agreed aim and objectives is
also easily achieved because it provides clear framework about the project activities and
schedule. I able to know about various methods, techniques and tools which helps to carry out
and conduct the proper research about specific topic and issue. Apart from this, through the
report I am able to analyse about the corporate social responsibilities and its impact on the
profitability of an entity. It helps to me in the future for conducting the effectual research on a
any topic and make appropriate plan using project management tools.
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