Implementation of CSR Activities in Business: A Marks & Spencer Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) activities at Marks and Spencer. It begins with an introduction to CSR, emphasizing its importance for business success and ethical conduct. Task 1 outlines the aims and objectives of CSR implementation, focusing on how Marks and Spencer can achieve its goals. It includes a project management plan, work breakdown structure, and Gantt chart. Task 2 details the research methods used, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, with a questionnaire example. Task 3 focuses on data analysis, utilizing appropriate tools and techniques to evaluate the research findings. It provides recommendations for implementing CSR activities and includes a reflective report, concluding with a summary of the key findings and references.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECTS

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Aims and objectives.........................................................................................................1
P2. Project management plan.................................................................................................3
P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart.....................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
P4. Small scale research by using qualitative as well as quantitative methods......................5
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P5 Analysing the research and data by using appropriate tools and techniques....................7
P6 Recommendations for implementing CSR activities......................................................13
P7 Reflective Report.............................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
CSR activities is the effective techniques which is needs to be opted by each and every
organization in order to attain their target and objectives as well. Through this effective process
company is able to deliver some extra benefit to their targeted customers. Various types of
conflicts arise in society for which firm can able to take best initiative. With the help of this
process entities are able to attain their target (Ahsan and Gunawan, 2010). Legal authorities of
UK frames different types of rules, regulation and policies which needs fulfil all types of firms as
imposed on them. Effective growth and development of firm can attain with the help of this
process. The present report is based on Marks and Spencer which is largest supermarket.
Providing varieties of goods and services in international market in order to attract people and try
to meet their demand as well. Cited firm is responsible to opt CSR activities and try maintain
their overall operations. Take effective step to deal in international market and improve its
market share as well. There are large number of people who use services of this firm. Members
have to take reasonable step to meet expectation of people and try to satisfy them through
providing better quality products.
TASK 1
P1. Aims and objectives.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is considered as continuous commitment by every
business organization. Through this firm is able to behave ethically also able to contribute to
economic growth and development. This is the main of Marks and Spencer to opt such activities
and increase their market share in international market. This activity is able to maintain quality
life of workforce and their families who are lived in society at large (Anderson, 2013). This is
considered as effective techniques for cited firm in order to capture better profit and adopt
sustainable practices. Various types of approaches has been used for this purpose which are
helpful for them. As it is perfect to attract large number of customers and deliver better quality of
goods to them. Higher authorities of Marks and Spencer have to set their aim and objectives and
instruct entire to use their collective efforts in order to meet those objectives. Furthermore, it is
ethical responsibility as well as considered as environmental consideration. Use appropriate tools
and techniques to obtain such factors. Large number firms are able to effectively contribute in
growth and development of society. CSR activities are promotional tool to build market share
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and improve overall performance. Framing of aims and objectives is the long term process for
companies. Also higher authorities of cited firm needs to instruct their subordinates to follow
those rules and regulation which are imposed on them. Have to provide proper guidance to them
to use their collective efforts in order to attain their goals and objectives. As continuous success
can be achieved through this process which is helpful for entire business. Through this
employees are able to boost up their level of confidence. Quality services has been provided by
entity in order to maintain their overall performance.
Topic: “Implementation of activities of CSR with business organization in order to meet set of
target and objectives.”
Background
Formation of gaols and objectives is helpful for companies to reduce their conflicts and
maintain performance as well. Continuous growth and development can be attained with the help
of CSR activities. Also members of cited firm needs to implement such activities according to
requirement of firm (Becker, Kugeler and Rosemann, 2013). They have to frame plans and
strategies which is forecasting process but useful for them as well. For this purpose provide
proper training to their existing employees in order to improve their work quality. Workers have
to attend such training session to in order to boost up their confidence or enhance skills. In
international market there are lots of competitors of Marks and Spencer who are focuses on CSR
functions. In case other retail sector companies conduct same activity then it create competition
for cited firm and not able to run business in effective manner. Legal authorities of UK enacted
various types of rule and procedure which are imposed business organization and they have to
comply with. If cited firm not implement such activities then also it is not able to meet their
target. Organize proper training session for worker at time of opted CSR activities for introduce
them about effective step which is taken by company. It result increasing number of stakeholders
and able to meet their expectation as well. Strategic benefits of CSR activities is attain
competitive advantage. Through this cited firm is able to build trust and loyalty among different
types of stakeholders. Overall operations of can be smoothly completed with the help of this
activity. Implementation of CSR activity is effectively contribute in sustainable development.
This is appropriate approach which needs to followed by every business organization to meet
their target. Implementation of this activity is broad term which used by entity to improve by
using collective efforts of each members. These efforts involve donating money in society and
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try to implement friendly policies at work place. It define reputation of firm through which
investor can invest money. With the help of this process company is able to take a part in
community activities. Effective regarding this has been taken by members and implement final
decision which is taken with majority (Bucherer, Eisert and Gassmann, 2012).
Aim: To Implementation of activities of CSR with business organization for meet set of target
and objectives: A case study of Marks and Spencer of UK.
Objectives:
 To identify different benefits of CSR activities in order to meet objectives.
 To assess effective relationship among Marks & Spencer and CSR activities for achieve
competitive advantage.
 To identify impact of CSR on existence of Marks & Spencer.
 To evaluate different methods which are needs to be opted by Marks & Spencer to met
competitive advantage.
Research question:
 What is benefits of CSR activities through meet set of target ?
 Is there any relationship among Marker & Spencer and CSR activities ?
 What is the impact of CSR activity on Marker & Spencer ?
 What are methods has been used by Marker & Spencer to meet competitive advantage
with the help of CSR ?
P2. Project management plan.
Formal document which is used by members of Marks and Spencer in order to manage
their project is known as project management plan. This document is compulsory to define and
prepare coordination among planning activities. Through organization van evaluated that how
project can be controlled as well as monitored (Bucherer, Eisert and Gassmann, 2012). It is the
systematic procedure which needs to be opted by cited firm in order to meet their set of target
and objective as well. It involve activities which are conducted under firm and members have to
perform their function accordingly. It is considered as summary document which consists
important things. Process development and distribution process can be controlled with the help
of project management plan. Long term business success can be attained with the help of this
function. In this process staff members have to use their collective efforts to meet their set of
target and objectives as well. This is considered as long term business project.
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P3. Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart.
Procedure which is used by Marks and Spencer for braking down a activities into
different manageable components is known as work breakdown structure. It is helpful for
companies in project planing process. Managers and leaders of cited are responsible to use this
process make complex planning or projects into simple procedure. It is designed by company
and use the same in effective manner. Through this firm can able to attain its long term as well as
short term goals and objectives. Help company to maintain projects accurately. Control cost and
put entity in profitable position. It is hierarchical structure opted by business organizations.
Needs to deliver best quality of goods and services in international market. In this process one
task has been divided into different separate projects and members use their collective efforts in
order ton attain those targets. Project department is only responsible for conduct such activities
in effective manner. They have to select employees for each department on the basis of their
skills and knowledge. This process provide common framework for growth and development of
planning and monitor overall operation of firm. Through this companies are able to reduce cost
and maintain performance as well. The main concept of this process is allot work to employees
on the basis of their skills and knowledge. Managers and leaders of cited are responsible to
provide proper training session to their employees. For the purpose of improve their skills,
knowledge and experience. With the help of this process members can effectively contribute in
growth and development program.
Project management team is also responsible to opt Gantt chart which is most popular
way of showing activities. This chart is helpful for project management team to maintain their
performance in effective manner. It shows the process of tasks from their starting time to end
time. Long term growth can be attained and provide development for production. It shows
amount of work in horizontal lines.
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TASK 2
P4. Small scale research by using qualitative as well as quantitative methods.
In order to identify impact of CSR on existence of business company have to conduct
qualitative and quantitative research methods. These methods are beneficial for entire company.
These methods has been used to collect information or data about benefits of CSR and its impact.
Researchers needs to opted such methods in order to gather significant information about current
topic which is helpful to attain long term and short term goals and objectives. Continuous
success can be attain with their help of this process.
Qualitative method has been used in secondary research from books and journals to
gather important information about implementation CSR activities. Several article framed by
legal authorities of UK which have to follow by cited firm. Investigator gather information
which are related to implementation of CSR within existence of business organization.
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On the other hand, quantitative research method has been used to collect information
through primary research. In this method investigator prepare questionnaire and ask the same
from their targeted customers. It deliver important and authenticated data or information which
are able to easily contribute in growth development of firm. Marks and Spencer needs to comply
with procedure which is useful to attain goals and objectives. Through questionnaire firm can
receive feedbacks from their customers and analyse their performance as well. Lots of questions
has been asked from customers and against which receive feedback from them.
QUESTIONNAIRE
Name:
Age:
Gender:
Q1. According to your opinion, Is CSR activities are used by Mark and Spencer ?
 Yes
 No
Q2. Is CSR activities are beneficial to achieve set of sustainable goals ?
 Yes
 No
Q3. Is cited firm can able to meet competitive advantage with the help of CSR activities ?
 Not really
 Really
 Can't Say
Q4. Do you really think CSR having positively impact on overall operation of Marks and
Spencer ?
 Agree
 Disagree
Q5. According to you what are the benefits of CSR ?
 Environmental Safety
 Stakeholder Satisfaction
 Employee relations
 Others
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TASK 3
P5 Analysing the research and data by using appropriate tools and techniques
Research methodology is a process used for collecting data and relevant information from
various sources for taking effective business decisions. Interviews, surveys, observations all
come under this or used for collected present or past data related with a particular topic.
Researcher can use different tools and techniques to carry out the study on research topic.
Following are the main tools used in research: Research design: Design refers to the strategy used by the researcher during the process
for collecting information. It is essential that chosen design should be helpful for
addressing or solving the problem of research. Research design helps in preparing
blueprint of all activities undertake by the researcher. Various type of popular and most
used type of research design include descriptive,causal or explanatory. From all these
descriptive research design is one of the suitable for the topic through this effective
research results can be achieved. Research philosophy: It is used for collecting analysing and using the data during the
process of research. Interpretivism philosophy will be used under the research because it
helps in evaluating all the data collected which helps researcher in finding better
solutions to the problem and arrive at a conclusion. There is one other philosophy called
positivism but researcher does not use it as it is not a suitable one to carry out the
research. Data collection: Primary and secondary data collection are one of the two basic and
popular methods of collecting data in a research. For collecting primary data researcher
made or prepare a questionnaire which help him in gaining or collecting fresh
information from the respondents of research. Data or information collected through
primary methods is more relevant and help researcher in better solving the problems. In
secondary data method researcher collect information by using books, journals,
newspapers and other from important documents. Data collected from secondary sources
will help researcher in gather relevant information regarding the CSR activities of firm.
Along with this it provide manager how to achieve competitive advantage in CSR
activities. Researcher can collect information from both the sources.
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 Sampling: It is a technique that is used by researcher in order to extract a sample from
large population. Here, random sampling has been used and 20 sample size is selected.
Along with this, survey is conducted on the employees of the organization. Data analysis: It is a process used for evaluating the collected data for making effective
decisions. Thematic analysis will be used by researcher for this. Different kinds of
themes can be will be made which will help researcher in carrying out all activities or
steps included in the process of research. Different themes can be made for different type
of questions as this will help researcher in analysing the changes or responses take place.
Quantitative or qualitative data method can be used by the researcher as there is no
numerical study than qualitative data analysis can be used by the researcher under this
study. Validity or reliability: Ensuring validity means to check or verify that collected
information is valid or not for the research. Reliability means ensuring that studying the
research topic is relevant for achieving desired outcomes or not. For increasing the
effectiveness of whole research process data or information collected should be valid
enough for getting reliable results. Limitations of research: During the process of conducting research large number of
limitations are faced by the researcher. For getting effective results or come to an
effective conclusion it is very essential or important for researcher to come out with
theses limitations. Issues which can be faced by the researcher include restricted sites
containing important information all this affect the process of researcher of collecting
accurate results. Other limitation is time topic is vast or getting or collecting responses
form respondents required a lot of time. Less time is one of the big limitation of whole
research.
DATA ANALYSIS
Theme 1: Yes, CSR activities are used by Mark and Spencer
Q1. According to your opinion, Is CSR activities are
used by Mark and Spencer ?
Frequency
Yes 12
No 8
8

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
12
8
Column B
Findings: From the above graphical representation, it can be interpreted that 60% respondents
agreed that CSR activities are used by company and they are very useful for it. While 40%
respondents disagreed with the fact that company is using CSR activities.
Theme 2: CSR activities and their role in attaining sustainable goals.
Q2. Is CSR activities are beneficial to achieve set of
sustainable goals ?
Frequency
Yes 14
No 6
9

Yes No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
14
6
Column B
Findings: This theme was regarding the usefulness of CSR activities in attaining sustainable
targets. As stated in the graph above, it can be said that more than 70% respondents agreed that
CSR activities assist Marks and Spencer in attaining various sustainable targets easily. It is a
very interactive technique which will attract more customers towards company. While only 30%
respondents disagreed with this fact.
Theme 3: CSR activities assist Marks and Spencer in attaining competitive advantage
Q3. Is cited firm can able to meet competitive
advantage with the help of CSR activities ?
Frequency
Agree 10
Disagree 6
Cant say 4
10

Agree Disagree Cant say
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
6
4
Column B
Findings: As stated in the graphical representation, 50% respondents agreed that CSR activities
assist organisation in achieving competitive advantage over its competitors and it makes doing
business very easy. Today organisations needs tools which they can use for attaining higher level
of efficiency and effectiveness in their business operation. Only 30% disagreed while disagreed
and 20% were not sure with its impact on organisation productivity and effectiveness.
Theme 4:CSR activity needs to be carried out as per operational capabilities.
Q4. Do you really think CSR having positive impact
on overall operation of Marks and Spencer ?
Frequency
Agree 12
Disagree 8
11

Agree Disagree
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
12
8
Column B
Findings: As represented in the graphical image, 60% respondent agreed that CSR activities has
positive impact on the operational capabilities of Mark and Spencer. They assist management in
increasing the customer base for company and also increases efficiency of every activity. Only
40% people disagreed with this fact that CSR has any impact on the activities of organisation in
any way. With the current trends this ratio will also decline as people will realise that with
organisation growth it is important that society also develops.
Theme 5: Environmental safety and stakeholder satisfaction level can be improved by
implementing CSR activities.
Q5. What benefits can be achieved by implementing
CSR activities?
Frequency
Environmental safety 7
Stakeholders satisfaction 7
Improvement in employee relations 3
Others 3
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Environmental safety
Stakeholders satisfaction
Improvement in employee relations
Others
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
7 7
3 3 Column B
Findings: There are many benefits of CSR activities which are enjoyed by organisation.
Basically it is a type of investment that is made on the basis of requirement of society and need
of organisation. In this theme the researcher tried to find out what are the various benefits of the
CSR activities. And conclusion was mixed and every respondent had different perception. 70%
respondent stated that environmental safety as well as stakeholder satisfaction was the prime
benefits of CSR activities. While rest 30% respondents stated that it increases employee relation
and there are other benefits also. Basically every one has a different perception regarding CSR
and its usefulness.
Concluding this part, it can be understood that CSR activities are very important for any
organisation be it Marks and Spencer or any other. It assist company in developing a good image
in the mind of consumers and also ensure that they become a loyal user of offered products and
services. There are many benefits of CSR activities, such as, it assist in reducing level of poverty,
safeguard environment and also ensure that all stakeholders of organisation are satisfied. While
on the other hand there are many benefits for organisation which are already mentioned.
P6 Recommendations for implementing CSR activities
From the the report, it can be understood that CSR activities are very important for Marks
and Spenser, as they assist the retailing giant in capturing large consumer base by building up its
reputation in market. But this is only possible when CSR activities are conducted in a proper
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manner. It is very important for company to ensure that all the programmes that are initiated
have a specified objectives. There are various methods which can be used by company as to
prepare programmes that are based on the realistic issues. It is very important for company to
adopt right types of method and technique as to ensure that they can provide benefit to society
and also increase customer based as well as market share. These CSR activities assist company
in gaining competitive advantage over its competitors in market and ensure that they lead
everyone with an example. There are various techniques that can be adopted by Marks and
Spencer and they are as follows:
 There is method that is very common and used by most of the organisation as to boost
CSR activities and this method is donating to the charitable trust. These are the
organisation which need more funds as to accomplish their task of reducing the level of
poverty or any other issue. There are many non profitable organisation which requires
funds as to operate and Marks and Spencer can donate to these firms as to enhance their
ability to serve society. This is the most easy way and company do not plan as well as
organise any thing, as it can donate directly.
 On the other hand, it needs to address the issues related to environment. Marks and
Spenser can effectively introduce various polices and procedures in its stores as to reduce
the level of wastage and emissions. This initiative will assist the company in gaining
good image. It will also benefit customers who will be impressed with the services and
initiatives of company. It will improve consumer retain ship and increase customer base
for company.
P7 Reflective Report
From the report, I understood that there are various CSR activities that are conducted by
companies in market as to improve their market image and gain competitive advantage over its
competitors. These activities are not just useful for organisation but they also aids society in
addressing in developing facilities which increase the standard of living. The CSR activities not
only assist in attaining sustainable goals but they also ensure that company gains customer base
and market share in future. Today company has to initiate various programs while keeping its
own objectives and social issues in mid. These activities are done in a manner their their impact
is felt all by targeted population. Besides all theoretical aspects, concepts and knowledge related
to CSR activities, I also understood as how I can gather data and information from various
14

sources, such as books and journals. There are many available but still researcher needs to find
out the most appropriate book so that he can use the information in a effective manner.
Furthermore, the time that was allotted for conducting research was very less and it limits the
scope of study to an extent, but I was able to complete whole report in time. Moreover, at the
time of data analysis I came to know about various software that can be used for evaluating and
analysis the collected information in a proper manner. The graphs and thematic analysis, assisted
in increasing level of effectiveness of whole research. There are multiple factors which led me to
the the conclusion and aided the whole process in a very effective manner. For me, this research
was a developmental opportunity as I came to know about various methods, tools and techniques
which can be used as to analyse and assess companies and their CSR activities. As stated, these
were the few developmental factors that helped in attaining various goals and objectives within a
set period of time.
CONCLUSION
As stated in the report it can be understood that CSR activities are very vital for Marks
and Spenser for sustaining into the the retailing industry for long period of time. It will not just
assist them in increasing the number of customers and market share but it will also ensure that
company is able to gain competitive advantage via providing various benefits to society. Further,
it can be understood that there are different reason behind undertaking CSR activities. But for
Marks and Spencer it is helpful as it will assist in building up a positive goodwill. Also it aids in
enhancing customer satisfaction and addressing various issues that exist in society. With the aid
of survey, company can know about the level of effectiveness its CSR initiatives have on the
users. So on this basis, Retailing giant can plan as well as organise various programmes or make
polices and procedures in company for maintaining environmental friendliness.
15

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