Managing a Successful Business: Implementing CSR Strategies for 4com

This report provides a comprehensive overview of managing a successful business with a focus on implementing corporate social responsibility (CSR) strategies for 4com, a telecommunications company. The report begins by establishing project aims, objectives, and timeframes, including devising aims and objectives, producing a project management plan, and creating a work breakdown structure and Gantt chart. It then delves into conducting small-scale research, information gathering, and data collection, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods to analyze the impact of CSR on the organization. The research explores collaborative working with the local community, socially responsible investment, employee and customer relations, and environmental sustenance. The report further analyzes research and data, communicating appropriate recommendations for CSR implementation, and reflecting on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support sustainable organizational performance. The report concludes by discussing the risks and resources associated with CSR implementation and provides a detailed project management plan and timetable.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL BUSINESS
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Table of content
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
LO 1 Establishing project aims, objectives and timeframes........................................................3
P1. Devising project aims and objectives................................................................................3
P2. Producing a project management plan..............................................................................4
P3. Producing a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes............5
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................7
LO2 Conducting small- scale research, information gathering and data collection, generating
knowledge to support the project.................................................................................................7
P4. Carrying out small-scale research.....................................................................................7
Task 3.............................................................................................................................................10
LO3 Presenting the project and communicating appropriate recommendations.......................10
P5. Analysing research and data............................................................................................10
P6. Communicating appropriate recommendations...............................................................11
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................13
LO4 Reflecting on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to support
sustainable organisational performance.....................................................................................13
P7. Reflecting on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own
learning and performance......................................................................................................13
References......................................................................................................................................15
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Introduction
The current assignment is aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of the managing a
successful business. The main focus in the assignment is towards the implementation of
corporate social responsibilities which enables a business organisation to function better. The
organisation in question here is 4com. The organisation was established in 1999 and since then
the organisation has been crucial to the developing telecommunication services and hardware
that have been able to help the other growing SMEs in the region. The organisation is the best in
the market category of small and medium-sized business enterprises. The organisation has been
voted for maintaining a corporate environment which is chic, innovative and not to mention
caters the business functions and operations with pride and enthusiasm. In the current context, it
is unclear if the organisation has any CSR strategy which would enable them to go beyond their
obligations to implement sustainable business objectives and hence the necessity to conduct the
research.
Task 1
LO 1 Establishing project aims, objectives and timeframes
P1. Devising project aims and objectives
Project aim and objectives are responsible for understanding the various underlying aspects of
the project which guide the researchers and helps them analyse and interpret the generated data.
This means that a research cannot begin without mentioning the aims and objectives of the
research.
Aim
The aim of the research is to implement the corporate social responsibilities in the business
organisation, 4com so as to meet the sustainable objectives.
Objectives
The objectives are the set targets which are aimed to be achieved during the progress of the
project. In the current research, the main objectives are:
● To understand collaborative working with local community
● To understand the concept of socially responsible investment
● To develop relations with customers as well as employees
● To ensure environmental sustenance and protection.
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P2. Producing a project management plan
Cost The aim of the project is to implement CSR strategies and hence, the cost
of the project, as well as implementation of the outcomes, can be a costly
affair. However, the minimum capital investment for business
organisations such as 4com is responsible for spending at least 2% of their
revenues to implement CSR activities. The cost or conducting the research
project is inclusive in the 2% (Johannsdottir and Olafsson, 2015, p.384).
Scope The scope of the project is to understand how the 4com organisation
stands to benefit from the corporate social responsibilities strategies. The
scope of the research is also to identify the means by which the
organisation can develop and meet the sustainable objectives of the
research project. However, the outcome of this project will be dependent
on the transparency of the research protocol (Acquier et al. 2015, p.12).
There is also a scope to understand how the entire project can be helpful in
strengthening the bonds between the company and its customers and
employees as well.
Time The research would be conducted in order to get clarified perception on
the impact of CSR in the short-term objectives and their long-term benefits
as well. The research project and implementation of CSR strategies need
to take place simultaneously and a projected time frame for completion of
the research and implementation of the recommendations can be given a
time frame of 15-18 months (Vveinhardt and Andriukaitienė, 2015, p.57).
Quality The quality of the research is crucial to the overall outcome will be based
on the quality of the conducted research and hence, approved
methodologies and protocols need to be followed in order to maintain the
quality. The research shall be conducted in a deductive methodology with
a positivist approach so as to us qualitative and quantitative data to support
the findings of the research (Michael et al. 2015, p.186).
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Communication The main idea of the research is to communicate the findings with the
management and administrative division of the organisation and hence,
effective communication channels need to exist in order to facilitate the
exchange of information and data. This free flow of information is also
crucial in the implementation phase as well (Thakur et al. 2015, p.143).
Risk The main risk of the research is a credibility issue. CSR has it owns set of
limitations which need to be taken care of. In order to collaborative
working with the various stakeholders to promote the sustainable
development. The costs are bound to increase and this impairs the
performance of the organisation. However, these strategies are negatively
impactful if the government tries to regulate the overall strategies (Gaweł
et al. 2015, p.153).
Resources The resources that are necessary to undertake the research project is the
availability of the internal and external factors which would allow the
organisation to implement CSR and analyse the barriers to them (Frolova
and Lapina, 2015, p.262).
Table 1: Project Management Plan
(Source: Moisescu, 2015, p.208)
P3. Producing a work breakdown structure and a Gantt chart to provide timeframes
Main activities
and stages
Week 1 Week 2
to 9
Week 9
to 15
Week 15
to 20
Week
20 23
Week 23
to 25
Week 26
Selection of
the topic
➢
Collection of
data
➢
Planning the
proper layout
➢ ➢
Reviewing
literature
➢
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Development
of research
plan
➢
Selecting
research
technique
➢ ➢ ➢
Gathering
Primary data
➢ ➢
Data analysis ➢ ➢
Interpretation
of findings
➢
Conclusion
preparation
➢
Project rough
overdraft
➢
Final
submission
➢
Table 2: Timetable of the research
(Source: Learner)
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Task 2
LO2 Conducting small- scale research, information gathering and data collection,
generating knowledge to support the project
P4. Carrying out small-scale research
Qualitative research
Collaborative working with public
CSR is known to bring out the best behaviour of the organisation. The 4com understands that the
perception of the society directly affects the overall image of the organisation and hence the need
and requirement to collaborate with the society can is recommended. These organisations know
the positive impact of a well-established brand image and value which is why they find it easy to
adapt strategies and investments in order to meet the expectations of the public. However, these
business organisations are perceived largely as the cruel corporate organisation who do not
understand the need of the society (Lam and Lim, 2016, p.278). When business organisations
take initiatives to work along with public in order to resolve societal issues of health, hygiene,
sanitations etcetera, it is responsible for driving home a positive image of the organisation in the
mind of the society and this leads to increasing brand value and brand loyalty which is the main
reason of why the organisation decided to collaborate with the society in the first place.
According to de Oliveira and Jabbour (2017, p.132), considering the variety of activities that can
be undertaken by the organisation depending on the scenario and circumstances, working in
collaboration with the society is a positive step forward to implement the Corporate Social
Responsibilities strategy.
Socially responsible investment
There have been instances when the investment made by the organisation wishes to create a rift
in the society and this means that organisation needs to understand the importance of building
the society and not destroying it. While organisations who identify the divide and rule policy can
be tried as criminal organisations in the court of law and can be heavily penalised if they threaten
to harm the peacefulness of the society. However, according to Christensen et al. (2014, p.168),
companies who understand that every component of the market and business are just people and
the only way to ensure growth is to maintain the safety and rights of the people. The society is a
collective of such individuals and thus, the right of the society can also not be violated in order to
garner revenue. For example, if the organisation 4com gets interested in acquiring new lands
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which are part of the forest, the investment by the organisation to cut down the trees can generate
a lot of negativity surrounding the organisation which makes them much more prone to liabilities
and business disasters. The customers start losing the confidence and as they turn away from the
company, the organisation will start losing its market share which will lead it to collapse
(Herrera, 2015, p.1472).
Environmental sustenance and protection
The growing effect of corporations and industries is well felt around the world and this means
that environment has become a key factor that needs to be taken into consideration while
formulating tactics and strategies. The organisations such as 4com understand the growing
ecological concern among the customers and citizens of the world and this means that whatever
strategies they undertake should ensure a green sustenance which aims to protect the
environment (Bhardwaj, 2016, p.458). Quite contrary to the beliefs that corporations do not
consider their negative effects on the society, it should be understood that unlike the global
bureaucratic controlling organisations, small and medium-sized industries also have a role to
play in order to ensure the safety of the world and thus, more and more of these kinds of
organisations have taken up ways to become more efficient and put even lesser burden on the
society and nature. In words of Awan and Akhtar (2014, p.72), organisations such as 4com
understand the human emotions and this enables them to take measures to ensure that whatever
actions and decisions are taken up by the organisation helps in protecting the environment and
not degrade it.
Quantitative research
(The following questions were asked to the head or operations, marketing and the CEO of the
company in order to get their insights into the matter of CSR)
Q1. How do the programmes undertaken by 4com affect the CSR?
CEO: CSR is a necessity that has been understood by the board of directors running 4com. We
have understood that the way we chose to work and live decides our ability to survive. The
initiatives by 4com such as planting saplings or visiting the older community living in the care of
professionals help us to form a bond with nature and community and this means we would be
able to take influence a lot of people and change their perception towards the company.
Operations Head: The operations is such a department where you cannot simply focus on green
earth, clean earth. We are responsible for developing and producing products which are required
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by the individuals for satisfying their daily needs and this means that even though we are trying
to effectively set up sustainable practices, it is not a joke to implement in the operations present
within the organisation. This means that the apart from being time-consuming, their effects
cannot be observed right away which in turn represents the unworthiness of performing activities
which waste valuable time.
Marketing head: CSR allows us to reach a wide community of people who have to begin to
realise that their home, the earth is being destroyed and the way the product is produced can be
able to make a significant disadvantage for selling the products. Thus, an effective marketing
strategy needs to identify the buttons that require being pushed in order to understand how the
activities in relation to CSR have an impact on the demands of the people.
Q2. How does CSR affect 4com?
CEO: As the CEO of the company it is of primary importance that the CSR strategies be
implemented in the organisation. Implementing CSR helps in providing a sense of sustainable
organisational function which is required to maintain these moral and ethical obligations of the
organisation. However, there are some induced costs which to be frankly are not very effective in
dealing with sustenance.
Operations head: The cost of the production process rises in order to maintain the ethical
regulations and this means lowering profits of the organisation. The role of the operation head is
to minimise the use and release of toxic materials, whose alternative can be quite pricey and any
rise in the product will result of the under-researched facts of CSR.
Marketing head: Implementing CSR means that the organisation has been able to attract the
customers. This leads to increase in brand image and value which is one the very requirement for
which CSR is implemented.
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Task 3
LO3 Presenting the project and communicating appropriate recommendations
P5. Analysing research and data
In the first theme of the qualitative research, the key point was working in collaboration with the
society. The society is the collective emotional and psychological platform of all the individuals
present in a region (Frolova and Lapina, 2014, p.181). While many organisations do not
understand the importance of collaborative working, 4com has to appreciate the knowledge. It is
observed that working with society with the resources available to the organisation can be
helpful in developing the organization's problem-solving capabilities as the society is always in
trouble and if the organisation can aid them in even tiniest of fractions, the society will become
grateful for the organisation and the company’s recognition begins to grow.
In the second theme, it is clear that the way decisions are undertaken by the organisation is
responsible for the sustenance of the organisation and the organisation can either grow and
prosper or wither and perish. The key to this theme is decision-making capacity of the
organisation and when an organisation takes decisions that negatively affect the society, chances
are that the organisation in on the path of destruction. However, in words of Baumann-Pauly et
al. (2013, p.700), if the society believes that the organisation is responsible for taking decisions
that in some way or another aide the society as well as the organisation, the probability of
survival greatly increases. The organisation starts to flourish on the adulation and loyalty of the
market.
In the third theme, the requirement of sustainable and green strategies have been given a great
deal of importance. Irrespective of the industry or sector, each and every organisation require
raw materials and nature fro over centuries has been considerate enough to let itself get
destroyed in order to fulfil the aspirations of the humans. Hence, it is responsibility for the
organisations to undertake strategies that ensure that the environment is protected and a
sustainable form of development and growth has been embraced by the organisation (Puppim de
Oliveira and Jabbour, 2017, p.147). There has been serious backlash for companies who have
disregarded the environmental warnings.
In the first question, when asked about the impact of the organisational activity on CSR, the CEO
was very optimistic about the positive relationship between the organisational functions and the
CSR strategies. These activities have been able to change the way people see 4com and its
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organisational goals and objectives. However, the operation head is more of a practical person
who understands the variety of shortcomings of activities that are performed in order to relate
with CSR strategies (Supanti et al. 2015, p.1480). The overall drop in performance, he attributed
to the effect of CSR. However, similar to the CEO, the marketing head also realised that there is
a way to increase the revenue and at the same time increase the loyalty of the customers which
would ensure a sustainable future.
In the second question, the CEO understands the legal and moral obligation of implementing
CSR and its role in ensuring a safe and sustainable future. The costs of implementing CSR may
be an issue but the negatives are neutralised by the positive impact of the CSR. The operation's
head believes that CSR may effectively reduce revenue generation which in some way is true as
the overall efficiency of an operation may be subjected to change due to the implementation of
CSR. The marketing head views the implementation of CSR as an opportunity to attract masses
(Köllen, 2016, p.219).
P6. Communicating appropriate recommendations
In the first theme, it is quite understandable that there is a requirement of increasing the
interaction of the organisations in their quest to achieve CSR need to be more interactive with the
society in general. By understanding society, the organisation’s analysis can be able to use the
insights to develop and market the products. The other recommendation is that the organisation
should not undertake public collaboration only for the sake of it but should also make sure that
the recommendations and ideas that are generated during the collaborative phase are beneficial to
both the parties (Kiessling et al. 2016, p.270). The society needs tools and capital while
organisation need cause and workforce in order to collaborate with each other.
In the second theme, it would be recommended that the organisation takes into consideration the
variety of internal and external factors while undertaking a decision-making process. The
decisions should not in any way affect the livelihood the individuals of the society but rather
helps them in realising their potential. A socially accepted plan will be beneficial in the long
term no matter how hard it is in the short term. According to Maas and Reniers (2014, p.105),
society never forgets those who in some way are responsible for bringing chaos in their world
and this means that the company can face a serious conflict of interests as well as abolition in the
hands of the society if the decisions they take does not favour the society.
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In the third theme, it is quite understandable that organisations such as com who are involved in
the telecommunication services and hardware use natural raw materials and minerals such as
zinc, opal, zirconite to name a few in order to manufacture their product. Their systems are run
by electricity which compels them to be more responsible in the way the environmental
resources are harvested and used (Tan et al. 2014, p.5568). Minimising the use of minerals and
undertaking reuse and recycle concepts can be a great boost for the organisation if they want to
be environmentally sustainable and are bound to protect the same.
In the first question, the main recommendation that can be provided to the CEO is to take the
matter of sustainability without any delay and instruct those working in the organisation to
develop their own set of practices to ensure that sustainable development continues. The
operation's head can be recommended to undertake research and design process to innovate the
entire process and make it more suitable to undertake activities that are of significance in relation
with CSR. the marketing head can be recommended to understand the way sustainability can
become part of the marketing process and this would ensure that that the organisation leads,
functions and markets in a sustainable manner.
In the second question, the CEO needs to take a deep look into the costs of implementing CSR
and using this should be able to analyse the merits and demerits of implementing and not
implementing CSR in the organisation. In words of Skovgaard (2014, p.527), the comparison
should be long term based. The operation's head needs to head the research and development
wing in order to find ways to ensure completion of the sustainability objectives. The marketing
head needs to become more serious in their response to the impact of implementing CSR as their
callous attitude can wreck the entire process.
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Task 4
LO4 Reflecting on the value gained from conducting the project and its usefulness to
support sustainable organisational performance
P7. Reflecting on the value of undertaking the research to meet stated objectives and own
learning and performance
The current research was undertaken to understand the implications of implementing CSR in
organisations such as 4com. These small and medium-sized businesses are responsible for
bringing innovativeness in product and process and their hunger to make it large is the need why
the CSR needs to be implemented. The main objectives that were identified in the project were
the role of the organisation in collaboration with the society or public, the need to implement a
socially responsible decision, the environmental protection and sustenance and not to forget to
improve the employer-employee relation as well as the buyer-seller relationship.
What was the Project supposed to accomplish?
The project was supposed to answer the question pertaining to implications on the
implementation of the corporate social responsibility on a small and medium sized business
organisation.
Did the project succeed in its aims/ how do you know? Specifically, please outline any
evaluation and assessment undertaken.
The project was successful in outlining the various objectives that were important in
implementing the CSR. The project has been able to identify the need for organisations to
work with the society for mutual growth and development. The overall decision-making
process was identified to be socially responsible without which there would be a conflict of
interest between the organisation and the society. By working with society and making socially
responsible decisions allows the organisation to ensure a strong bond between them and the
employees and the customers. The future development of the organisation is completely
dependent on natural resources and hence the importance of environmental protection and
sustenance as also been identified.
What things do you think worked well and why? Evaluate all aspects of the project (e.g
initial inception, project activities and project outcomes) from a range of perspectives.
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The project inception was well chalked out and a fixed outcome was expected that is the
implementation of CSR which has been worked out quite well. The project activities were,
however, a bit underwhelming as the overall objectives of the project could not be generalised
for any small and medium scale industry. The project outcomes were the need of working with
public collaboration, responsible decisions and protection of natural resources has been well
explained and justified in the context of 4com.
What problems emerged during the project and how were they tackled? Was there a
timely identification of issues and resolution during the project process?
The main issue of the project was the unavailability of the necessary resources that can
actually support the project and by undertaking critical research and education activities, the
issue was resolved. The data collection issue was addressed aptly and timely in order to
continue with the project.
What did you learn from undertaking the project?
The various complications and underlying positive aspects of CSR implementation have been
shed light on that have been quite helpful to me as a learner.
How would you rate your performance as a management consultant leading the project?
On a scale of 1-10, I would rate my performance as a management consultant as a 7.
What strengths and weakness of your performance did you identify?
The strength of my performance will be the timely resolution of issues, critical research
capabilities, foresight and ability to respond to the circumstances. The key weaknesses that I
can identify are the inability to draw a very justified conclusion and maintaining a log of the
project.
How will this inform and support your continuous professional development?
The personal development can be built upon the strengths that I have mentioned above and
work on the weaknesses can allow me to further improve my judgment and managing
capacities.
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