Values, Ethics, and Working Collaboratively: A Portfolio of Tasks

This portfolio assignment delves into the critical aspects of values, ethics, and collaborative work within a business context. It begins by defining business ethics and its importance, using Tesco as an example to illustrate how ethical principles and CSR activities contribute to brand image and community well-being. The assignment further examines ethical guidelines in marketing, focusing on the importance of transparency, accurate claims, and adherence to UK marketing and advertising laws, including food and health regulations. Finally, it highlights the significance of team collaboration, exploring policies that guide collaborative working and emphasizing the benefits of combining diverse skills to achieve organizational objectives. Desklib provides access to a wealth of similar solved assignments and study resources for students.

Values, Ethics and
Working
Collaboratively

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................3
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
Books and Journals...............................................................................................................10

INTRODUCTION
Business ethics is defined as the moral principles which act as a guideline for the manner in
which business conducts transactions and guidelines. In addition to this, business ethics is
referred as the study of appropriate business practices and policies about potentially controversial
subjects consisting corporate social responsibility, corporate governance, discrimination and
many more (Melé, 2019). It is important for an organisation to follow all the business ethics as it
help in executing activities and tasks without any issues and interruptions. The report is divided
into three tasks, In the first task there is discussion about concepts of ethics and how it contribute
to wider community by an organisation. In the second task, guidelines and laws that need to be
follow by market drink in UK will be elaborated. In the last section, the significance of team
collaboration within an organisation will be discuss in a proper manner.
TASK 1
Explain the concept of ethics and what it means to an organisation
Business ethics is defined as the standards for morally right & wrong conduct in business.
Along with this, it is a form of professional and applied ethics which examines ethical problems
and ethical principles which arise within a business environment. Following of all the business
ethics allow an organisation to execute business activities systematically, execute operations
effectively, develop brand image, maintain performance level, achieve competitive edge and
many more. In context to above discussion, Tesco is taken into consideration as an example for
further discussion. It is a British multinational groceries and retailers which was established in
year 1919 and headquarter in UK.
The higher authorities of Tesco follow and implement various ethical principles with the
objective to maintain performance and to ensure improvement of brand image at marketplace. It
is analysed that there are various CSR activities conducted by Tesco which help them to
contribute towards the improvement of society and ensure higher growth and success at
marketplace (Crane and et. al., 2019). It is analysed that ethical values are significant for a
company and for its staff members as well as it help them to take effective decision and also
assist to maintain good relationship with different stakeholders. The CSR activities conducted
by respective organisation is given below along with how it facilitate Tesco to enhance brand
image:
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The CSR activities to enhance brand image conducted by Tesco company
The CSR activities are used to enhance brand image and encourage its customers and
employees in the society. Tesco support for community programmes in order to support local
communities where employees and customers can live and solve the problems which arises while
purchasing the products or to solve the social problems of the country. It provides healthy,
hygiene and safe food items to its customers to create healthy environment at an affordable
prices as it also helps to create the brand image and able to increase its market share. It includes
in promoting education, raise fund for a cause and charity. These are extend to others countries
also because the efforts are not limited to the UK only
(Bernstein, 2018).
It takes actions across several external and internal activities which includes community
issues, local regeneration purpose and being environmentally conscious. The company tesco
gives special attention towards recycling of biodegradable waste into useful products by using
innovative and latest technology because it makes environmental friendly. It uses organic
products and sell them in the market at an affordable prices as chemical products harms the
environment and consumers faces many health issues after using chemical based products. In our
day to day activities these efforts reflect and it makes the use of water and energy. The company
also takes community initiatives and as well as its makes charity work towards the society. By
acting responsible for the society it earns the customers trust and minimises the negative impacts.
Explain how businesses contribute to the wider community?
Charity Partnership: In context to organisations, the organisation has donated millions of euros
for the purpose to bring change in the organisation. In context to businesses, the leaders and
managers donate huge amount of money for the cancer research centre for the purpose to provide
services to the infected patients. The organisation’s main objective is to provide best cure to the
patients who are suffering from the diseases. In addition to that, they are collaborating with
various non profit organisations to help the people. In context to Tesco, the organisations sells
their product more in prices as compared to its competitors such as Sainsbury’s , ASDA etc)(Lee,
2020).
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Redistribution of Food: In context to the UK organisations, the companies has developed
various communities for the purpose to help the needy and distributing surplus food items to the
charity and community groups with the help of various food connection scheme. Furthermore,
the organisations perform various activities in order to reduce food wastage and developing
effective distribution strategies among the communities. Through this, the organisations develop
various effective strategies and distribution pathways among the community.
TASK 2
Ethical guidelines in marketing the product
Not making unverified claims: For the person to follow the certain guidelines in the
organisation, it is very important to highlight the real and verified claims regarding the products
sold to the end users. In context to organisation, any kind of false promises might lead and
results in legal complications. In addition to that it can massively affect the product marketing
and image of the company in the UK economy. In order to effectively promote the product in the
UK economy, the business need to stick to the business practices in the operations of the
organisation for the purpose to avoid any kind of unnecessary complications(Macke and Genari,
2019).
True and Transparent: In context to soft drink organisations, it is very important to disclose all
the information related to the products and mentioning all the important information. In context
to soft drink companies, it is very important to label the products and packaging with the right
data and information with the right amount of ingredients, details of the ingredients and
information in relation to the quantity. In case of any misleading data and information it can
result in causing legal complications and lawsuit against the organisation and this might result in
banning the product line and might result in damaging the image of the company.
Avoid False Comparisons: In context to organisations, the company cannot make any type of
false claims in the market where it runs its business operations. In context to the ethical
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marketing policy, the UK organisations can not derive any kind of misleading or inappropriate
data or information in relation to the competitors product. Therefore, it is mandatory for the
organisation to examine its competitive market and prior research for the purpose to highlight the
real issues as compared to the competitors product.
Therefore, for any organisation it is very important to market it products in a effective manner
and all the organisations need to stick to the various practices in the business operations for the
purpose to eliminate the unnecessary complexions)(Neill, 2021).
Marketing and advertising law
Right Information: In context to organisations, it is very important that while serving
consumers, all the products should have all the necessary information in relation to the natural
value, product quality, ingredients and quantity of ingredients. In context to organisations, it is
compulsory to quote the usage of colouring and any kind of added preservatives on their labels
of packaging. If the organisation do not sell its products with right information it could lead to
various complications. Therefore, it is important to follow the necessary procedure with right
type of advertisement plan and attractive marketing.
Price: In context to organisations, it is important to mention the prices and having label or price
tag for each and every individual product. The organisation cannot sell its products without
mentioning the right information and prices on the packaging. In addition to that, the
organisation cannot charge high amount in regard to the price mentioned on the packaging. The
ads and marketing campaign cannot show any kind of misleading information or claim regarding
the product. Any kind of false information or activities can result in consumers filing legal
actions or case against the organisation. Moreover, it could lead to reduction in sales and
destroying the image of the organisation)(Stone, Cox and Gavin, 2020
Ethical Marketing Content: In context to organisations, the companies strictly need to follow
and adhere to all the guidelines of the marketing in context to the UK government. It is therefore,
applicable to keep all the information transparent and informative and this will help the
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organisations in building better relationships with the consumers and smooth operations of the
company.
Food and health regulation of UK
In context to organisations, it is very important to run their operations keeping in mind
the regulations and guidelines stated by the companies. The respected government in food and
health sector has implied various laws and legal regulations towards the food and health based
companies in UK. Therefore, it is important for all the companies to follow the guidelines in a
serious manner and any kind of false activities or breach can result in impacting the activities and
business operations of the company. In context to health and food organisations, there are certain
laws and acts under the respected economy which involves the following:
The data protection act 2018 : This law basically states that before taking any kind of personal
information regarding the user or customer, it is compulsory to always ask for the permission of
the customers and also providing them necessary details regarding the entire process. In context
to organisations, it is very important to provide safety to the customers and protecting their data
and personal information. It is therefore important for the companies to build a healthy
environment and also following all the guidelines mentioned in the act in order to run the
business operations successfully.
Food Safety Act 1990 : Under this act, all the organisations need to sell the beverages and food
items and should not use any kind of ingredient which could affect the health of the consumers.
The mentioned act makes sure the quality ingredients are used in making the product and also
respecting the laws stated by the government)(Verwey and Muir, 2019)
Food safety and hygiene act 2013- Under this act , local authorities of Uk need to ensure that
the food government follows all the safety and hygiene practices in preparing the product. In
addition to that these deployed entities ensured activities regard to handling, processing etc to
deliver the good quality of food items in their potential customer. The practices include
enhancing business standards, issuing notices well as fined the companies who breached the law.
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Hence, the respected organisation need to consider the above mentioned practices in their
operational function. As it can help them in creating the more ethical practices in the business as
well as assist them in order to built the customer trust in the behalf of their concern.
TASK 3
Why teams collaborate?
Team is defined as the group of people who is having different skill set and knowledge
and is working together to attain objectives. One of the main reason behind team collaboration is
to perform all the organisational functions in more systematic and effective manner. In addition
to this, it help a company to combine the skills of different people and applied it to implement
activities due to which objectives are achieved within stipulated time period.
What policies guide collaborative working?
Efficiency: It is undertaken as one of the important key that assist in developing an effective
collaborative working environment. In addition to this, the respective company follow the work
ethics at workplace such as job security, communication and so on. It help company to develop
strong relationship among team members.
Clarity- It is important for an organisation to give clarity of their roles and responsibilities to
each and every team member. In addition to this, the higher authorities of Tesco conduct training
and interacting session with team members with the objective to clarify them roles and
responsibilities (Purwanto and et. al., 2019) This help in collaborative working and help to
achieve objectives.
Trust- It is one of the vital key to ensure collaborative working. It is important for managers of
Tesco to maintain transparency with the team members as it help in developing trust because of
which work effectively and put full zeal to attain objectives.
How do you collaborate outside of the organisation?
Organisations can collaborate outside with the help of different ways such as social media
platforms, virtual meetings, joint venture, crowdsourcing, alliance and many more. It is
important for multinational companies to collaborate outside the organisation in a proper manner
so that activities are implemented properly. For instance, the respective organisation has
conducted zoom meetings with the people prevail outside the organisation. This help them to
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manage business functions and activities in a proper manner. Furthermore, it also has some joint
ventures deal which help them to collaborate outside the company. Apart from this, the conduct
weekly session with the team who perform outside so that they can know the exact situation take
place and where they lack that further assist to development of strategies and maintain
performance level. Moreover, it is analysed that to collaborate outside, the company also make
use of E-mail and social media tools so that they can coordinate properly and achieve positive
results.
How well does your organisation collaborate in diverse teams?
In order to collaborate in diverse, the various aspects were used, which are as follows:
Encourage collaboration across department: The respective company focuses on developing
collaboration within the diverse team and in order to do it, the managers of Tesco focuses on
encouraging collaboration between departments (Fernando and Muralidheeran, 2019) In addition
to this, it also encourages open communication among departments as it help to make good
relationship with team members. Furthermore, it deployed the open feedback policy that directly
leads towards effective working in teams and collaboration as well.
Established judgement free idea sharing culture- It is analysed that respective organisation allow
staff members to share their ideas and thoughts at the time of decision making with the higher
authorities. This help in making team members feel valued and important at workplace which
leads to development of diverse team collaboration. Moreover, the company also follow top-
down working culture as it help in aligning and delegating the work in a proper and effective
manner. This help in making connectivity with all the employees which is important in order to
maintain performance level.
What strategies could be used to motivate a team?
It is vital for an organisation to make use of an effective strategies in order to encourage team.
One pf the strategy that is used by Tesco is providing rewards and recognition to the teams of
their good performance. This help in making team members feel valued and motivated which
further leads to increase in performance of company. In addition to this, the other strategy is
allow employees to participate in the decision making process. This assist respective company to
bring out new and creative ideas and make employees feel valued that their ideas is considered
by the higher authorities. Apart from this, the company follow Adam’s equity theory with the
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objective to motivate team members. This help in providing the equal output to team as per the
input they put at the workplace. It also assist to motivate team due to which they work with full
potential and focus on meeting with the targets of company (Mili, Gharbi and Teulon, 2019).
Apart from this, there are also other strategies that is used by company such as training and
development, monetary rewards, on-time appraisals and many more.
What are the consequences of poor collaborative working?
Collaboration is defined as two or more people who are working cooperatively on the
implementation of a task or project. It is important for an organisation to ensure that
collaborative working has taken place so that objectives can be attained. There are various
consequences of poor collaborative working. One of the consequence is ineffective execution of
activities, strategy and process which impact directly on the performance of an organisation. It is
determined that without the appropriate strategy and techniques, team cannot execute properly
and due to which objectives are not attained on time frame. Another impact is development of
negative mind-set of team members towards working due to which they did not take interest in
executing and performing activities within the team (Wasieleski and Weber, 2019). Moreover,
poor collaborative working has also impact on the project management that leads to ineffective
implementation of activities. Furthermore, poor collaborative working also leads to wasting of
time and resources which impact negatively on the performance and revenue level of company.
Thus, it is determined that poor collaborative working directly impact on the performance of both
team and organisation as well.
CONCLUSION
From the above discussion, it has been concluded that it is important for a company to follow all
the business ethics as it help in maintain performance and also assist to execute activities without
any issues. in addition to this, it is determined that there are various CSR activities conducted by
an organisation as it help them to contribute towards the development of society and enhance its
brand image. It is analysed that following of all the marketing and advertising guidelines allow a
company to attract large number of customer and attain high performance level. In the last, it is
stated that team collaboration plays an important role as it help in motivating employees, execute
activities, developing positive working environment, develop good relationship between
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employees and many more. This further leads an organisation to meet with the set targets and
attain objectives timely.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Arnold, D.G. and Bowie, N.E., 2019. Ethical theory and business. Cambridge University Press.
Bernstein, A., 2018. Sustainability: keeping an eye on the ethics and the costs. Nursing And
Residential Care, 20(4). pp.165-167.
Crane, A., Matten, D., Glozer, S. and Spence, L., 2019. Business ethics: Managing corporate
citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press, USA.
Fernando, A.C. and Muralidheeran, K.P., 2019. Business Ethics: An Indian Perspective, 3e.
Pearson Education India.
Kay, A., 2019. The future of business ethics and the individual decision maker. In The Next
Phase of Business Ethics: Celebrating 20 Years of REIO. Emerald Publishing Limited.
Lee, T.H., 2020. Exploring the explicitness, salience of ethics and transparency of messages in
social reports: a cross-national longitudinal content analysis from an institutional
perspective. Corporate Communications: An International Journal.
Macke, J. and Genari, D., 2019. Systematic literature review on sustainable human resource
management. Journal of cleaner production, 208, pp.806-815.
Melé, D., 2019. Business Ethics in Action: Managing Human Excellence in Organizations.
Bloomsbury Publishing.
Mili, M., Gharbi, S. and Teulon, F., 2019. Business ethics, company value and ownership
structure. Journal of Management and Governance, 23(4), pp.973-987.
Neill, M.S., 2021. Public relations professionals identify ethical issues, essential competencies
and deficiencies. Journal of Media Ethics, 36(1). pp.51-67.
Purwanto and et. al., 2019. Study the importance of business ethics and ethical marketing in
digital era. Journal of Critical Reviews, 6(5), pp.150-154.
Stone, R.J., Cox, A. and Gavin, M., 2020. Human resource management. John Wiley & Sons.
Verwey, S. and Muir, C., 2019. Bell Pottinger and the dark art of public relations: Ethics of
individuality versus ethics of communality. Communicare: Journal for Communication Sciences
in Southern Africa, 38(1). pp.96-116.
Wasieleski, D.M. and Weber, J. eds., 2019. Business Ethics. Emerald Group Publishing.
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