Tesco PLC CSR Project Analysis: Business Management Report

This report provides an in-depth analysis of a CSR project undertaken by Tesco PLC, a multinational grocery and general merchandise retailer. The assignment examines the aims and objectives of the project, focusing on how CSR activities contribute to sustainable targets and competitive advantage. It includes a detailed project management plan, covering scope, cost, time, quality, resources, and communication strategies. The report also features a work breakdown structure (WBS) and Gantt chart to illustrate the project's timeframes and completion stages. Furthermore, it presents a qualitative and quantitative research analysis, including a survey of Tesco employees to gather insights on CSR activities' impact. The research findings are interpreted to assess the effectiveness of CSR initiatives and their alignment with organizational goals. The report concludes with an analysis of the data gathered, using various tools and techniques to generate knowledgeable information about the project's impact.

MANAGING SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS

INTRODUCTION
Management of an enterprise in order to get successful is very important for an
organisation so as to get the leading position in the market and for the growth and success. With
the proper management of business it becomes easy for an organisation to make several plans
and policies which helps in the effective decision making (Shattock, 2010). This report will be
based on the case study of Tesco PLC which is a multinational general and grocery merchandise,
headquartered in UK, and they are doing project which is associated with CSR exercises.
Fundamental aim of this assignment is to examine functions and targets of project in an
organisation. A small scale research will be carried out so as to get the information and
knowledge. This study will help in gaining the value from the project which is being conducted
in an organisation, and its usefulness will also be analysed for the growth of organisational
performance.
TASK 1
P1 Aims and objectives of project for Tesco
The Project which is being carried out by the Tesco is based on the CSR activities. CSR
activities is known as the corporate social responsibilities activities. An important role is being
played by the CSR in the daily practice. It is defined as an idea where firms believe in the
society's interest and take responsibility for the effect of their actions on staff members,
customers, community as well as surrounding in context of their operations. It is all about the
management of the company regarding business process in order to give positive effect on
society (Kindström, 2010). It is very important for a company to look for it as it helps in the
corporate decisions. There is an increase in the demands of customers, employees and
government bodies who wants business to get more open with their activities on reaching and
maintaining of the business practice.
Topic: “Implementing CSR exercises within firms to meet sustainable targets”
Aim: To execute CSR exercises in company to attain sustainable target: A case study of Tesco
Objectives:
 To determine significance of activities which are associated with corporate social
responsibility, thus company can attain goals and objectives.
 To examine connection of CSR exercises on Tesco to achieve competitive benefit.
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 To study positive affect of CSR activities on Tesco.
 To measure various tools, as with assistance of them company can take benefits from
their competitors by CSR activities.
Research questions:
 How CSR exercise is significant to attain sustainable targets ?
 What is relation amongst CSR activities for Tesco to take benefits from their
competitors ?
 What are positive influence of CSR exercises on Tesco ?
 What are various methods which can be embraced by Tesco to attain competing benefits
by CSR activities ?
P2 Project management plan
It is necessary for Tesco, to define an adequate project management program which will
assist in estimating cost, time , quality, communication and resources. With the help of proper
project management plan, company will be able to make its project successful which is related
with the CSR activities.
Scope of the project :
1. Investors and shareholders : The main responsibility of the CSR activity is to provide
reasonable return on investment. To protect their investment and to provide proper
information in relation to business.
2. Employees and workers : Another responsibility is to pay fair salaries and wages by
providing good and better working conditions to the employees. Company should also
arrange training and development programs so as to recognise talent of employees. They
should treat employees with respect and should provide them benefits (Brown, 2013).
3. Customers or consumers : To provide good quality of goods and services to consumer
and also a provision of customer support and services is the responsibility of the
company. They will also helps to solve conflicts and will provide protection against
banned trade practices.
4. Community : Essential steps should be taken in order to maintain ecological balance and
to improve the business efficiency. Initiatives should be taken for the resources
conservation.
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Cost and benefits arise by performing activities. The association of the cost in CSR can
be analysed by the engagement of CSR activities. The cost which is associated with cash
includes cash flows less the tax reduction (Cohen, 2010). For the contribution of the product, the
outflow will be equal to the cost of the product. Firm should also consider opportunity cost
which is associated with the product and cash.
To estimate a proper time for a project is necessary to get the accurate project. Without
this estimation it will be difficult to know how much a project will take. Time can be estimated
by understanding requirement, ordering the activities and deciding who will get involved. The
company chooses the bottom up estimating method in which estimate of the whole [project is
being done and then the larger tasks are broken down into detailed tasks. Quality of the project
which is being carried out by a company should be effective in satisfying needs and requirements
of the customers. Human resource plays a important part in the CSR project. Other resources
include government, customers, investors, workers, suppliers, and environment. Communication
is very important for the effective implementation of CSR activities (Crane and Matten, 2016).
For communicating the CSR activities company can make use of the media for public release,
can give speeches to workers and employees and can also mention the CSR activity in the
company's annual report. This way it will be able to create effective communication which will
help in giving several benefits.
P3 Work breakdown structure and Gantt chart for providing time frames and completion stages
WBS can be defined as the structure which is being used to breakdown a project into
various small components. It is a hierarchical chart which is used for organising the different
activities which is in project. It can be used for the budgeting, scheduling and for the network
diagram. Work breakdown structure has different levels according to the companies need
(Dahanet. al., 2010).
Work Breakdown Structure :
Activity Planning Resources Execution of the
project
Results
Conducting a
meeting with
managers
The meeting has
been set earlier
before the
Stationary and
phone
To carry out a
meeting with top
level managers
Permission has
been given for the
survey on
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implementation
of examination,
so as to acquire
permission of
survey
before executing
survey
employees so as
to understand the
efficiency and
effectiveness of
CSR
Creation of a
document before
meeting
The document
should be created
before the actual
survey
Stationary,
computers,
Internet
To prepare the
document in
relation with
strategy to
develop survey
and questionnaire
for feedback
A proper
questionnaire has
been developed
for the strategies
regarding CSR in
Tesco
Formal Meeting
with the Tesco
employees
Development of
the questions for
questionnaire
Stationary and
phone
To ask questions
on the telephone
Understand the
knowledge
regarding CSR
activities due to
which employees
are not satisfied
Formal meeting
with investors
Questions of the
interview and
strategy should be
developed for the
interview of
investors
Stationary To ask such
questions for
understanding the
reason of
distraction
Understand the
CSR strategy
effectiveness
Survey with the
help of social
platform
Preparation of the
strategy to
conduct survey on
social media
Stationary,
computer and
internet
To ask questions
to employees with
the help of social
media on the
basis of questions
which are already
Gathering the
data on the impact
of strategies
related to CSR
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prepared
Gantt chart can be described as a series in which horizontal lines represent work amount
which is finished or manufacturing which is accomplished within minimum period of time in
connection with amount which is formed. It helps in illustrating the schedule of project. Along
with this, it mentions begin and end date of projects and also summary of project (Eckerson,
2010). It is used by Tesco for an effective project management. It is strongest as well as useful
way to exercises that are displayed in relation with time. The project scheduling which is used by
the company is specified below :
Gantt Chart :
Tasks/Weeks
1-2 3-4 5-6 7-8 9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18 19-20
Research of market
Defining specification
Architecture
Project planning
Detail Designing
Development of software
Test plan
QA and testing
Documentation of user
TASK 2
P4 Small scale research by applying methods of qualitative and quantitative research to meet
project aims and objectives
On the basis of small scale research, a survey has been done in which there is a sample
size of 15 employees.
Name :
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Age :
Gender :
1. Does CSR helps in representing the important outlook which is being applied in the Tesco ?
 Yes
 No
2. Do you agree that implementation of CSR is the main responsibility of Tesco ?
 Strongly agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
 Strongly disagree
3. As per you, Is there any direct relationship between activities of CSR and competitive benefit
?
 Yes
 No
4. What types of initiatives related to CSR are considered by the Tesco ?
 Health related measures
 Environment measures
 Empowerment of women
5. According to you who is most responsible for implementing CSR activities in Tesco ?
 HR department
 Administration
 Leaders and managers
Qualitative method is basically used to find out the quality that a company provides to its
customer. With the help of this method company determines whether the project id suitable or
not (Goksoy, Ozsoy and Vayvay, 2012).
Interpretation : From above mentioned survey a quantitative technique is utilized as it is
helpful to make difference and it is effective method to gather employees opinion which helps
the organisation. The survey which is being conducted helps in analysing the views of
employees through proper decisions can be made and needs and wants of customers can be
fulfilled effectively and efficiently. This survey will help in the proper implementation of CSR
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activities which will helps inn achieving goals and objectives. The questionnaire which is being
developed is given to the 15 employees and the analyses of the research is :
1. The first question which is in relation with the importance of CSR activities in Tesco, 10
out of 15 employees answered 'Yes', which means the activities of the corporate social
responsibility is very important for the company.
2. The second question which says the CSR activities is the responsibility of the company, 9
employees said 'Yes', from this it can be analysed that implementation of CSR activities
is the main responsibility.
3. 12 out of 15 employees answered that there is the relation between the CSR activities and
competitive advantage and benefit of the firm.
4. 7 employees feel that CSR activities in Tesco is related with health related factors and 6
employees answered that CSR activities are related with environmental measures. It can
be analysed from the research that activities of CSR are related with both health and
environment measures.
5. 12 employees answered that the implementation of CSR activities is the responsibility of
administration department of Tesco.
TASK 3
P5 Analysis of research and data with the help of tools and techniques
Research is the process of systematic investigation which helps in generating
knowledgable information about a particular situation. The knowledge which is gathered reflects
and varies objectives of the study (Gremyr, Löfberg and Witell, 2010). Objectives of some study
is to make it standardised and to have systematic comparison. A small scale research can be
applied with the help of Quantitative and Qualitative research. A main step in the planning of the
research is to define clear objectives and goals. It is mainly carried to analyse the gap in the
knowledge so as to implement future programs. The scope of the research is defined by the
resources, time and constraints. So for having a proper research these things need to be in mind.
The questions of research defines the investigation, boundaries and direction. The two ways of
research which is being used is : Quantitative research : This kind of research helps in exploring the the questions with
specific and clear objectives. Which also helps in examining the relationship between
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several events and occurrence in which the second event is consequent of first event
(Kaplan, Norton and Rugelsjoen, 2010). Quantitative data is gathered on the basis of
questionnaires and surveys that are being developed and structured carefully so as to
provide numerical data which can be explored statistically. These are generalised, tested
and controlled. They usually depends on independent and dependent variables. They are
random, structured, and statistical.
 Qualitative research : This type of research is basically a exploratory research which is
carried out to gain a understanding of opinions, reasons and motivations. It usually
provides problems insight which helps in developing the hypotheses and ideas for the
qualitative research (Keller, Parameswaran and Jacob, 2011). It is designed to reveal
range of the target audience. Regarding their behaviour and perceptions. It is based on the
broad methodological approach which encompass several research methods. It examines
how and why of decision making. A most popular method of qualitative research is the
case studies, which helps in examining depth to understand situation.
Tesco will be able to make comparison with the help of this analysis which will help in
the project making and implementation of task systematically. CSR is one of the main project
which a company wants to implement and for this they need to examine various activities which
will be helpful for the society with the help of questionnaire (Kindström, 2010). Fundamental
disadvantage of qualitative investigation is that it does not helps to make comparison between
groups, but quantitative research is helpful in this manner. It also helps in rating and scaling of
new ideas. So this kind of method will be beneficial to make task easy and acceptable. To make a
successful implementation of CSR proper analysis is important with the help of which feedback,
ideas and opinions can be taken, and it will be helpful for the company to make changes on the
basis of demand of public.
P6 Appropriate recommendation for the research and data analysis
Corporate social responsibility is such business movement which means there will be
large ethical and social role (Kowalkowski, Kindström and Brehmer, 2011). This technique is
being used by the many organisations and they adopt the ethical path for the purpose of business.
Several firms don't consider the society, environment and keeps on exploiting environment. So
these are being transformed by the firms into productive citizens who will contribute more in the
society. Companies have several responsibilities for the society and for that many steps have
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been adopted which gives benefits to the environment and society. Several recommendations in
relation with this are : Social : It has been clarified by CSR that the organisations return wealth and success to
them who give support to them. This shows that the firm have the social nature. For
example they do some social service and charity by which they will improve standard of
poor people. Companies also carry out several programs and businesses for the benefit of
the society (Matos and Silvestre, 2013). Environment : Many environment resources have been used by the firms which give
help in the production process. Companies who are engaged in the practice of CSR
activities, spent their money in order to conserve natural and environmental resources,
and make such energies which will help in the conservation. Employees : Employees are the key factor who help in the making of wealth for the
organisation. It is recommended by the CSR activities that company should properly
remunerate workers as they play the main role contribution of the firm's success and
growth.
 Customers : They are the main source of profit and revenue generation for the firm.
They buys the product and therefore helps in increasing the wealth of the business. So
the company should provide goods with best qualities for their customers and should
also use fair practices regarding trade. Company should also adopt policies which are
ethical in nature, which will eventually helps in earning profit and revenue by the
company (Shattock, 2010).
These are the several factors which should be analysed by the company before the start of
the project. These types of recommendations should be used by the company which will help in
the maintenance of CSR activities, and with these they will also work with efficiency for the
benefit of the society and for the employees who gives contribution in the growth of the firm.
With the help of such advice, Tesco will create more good image in the market in front of their
customers this will also help in maintaining goodwill in the market. CSR activities will help to
attract competitors and will also make the society satisfied and healthy (Shehu and Akintoye,
2010).
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