Benefits of CSR for Achieving Goals: Volkswagen Case Study

This research project investigates the benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) for Volkswagen, a prominent automotive company. The study formulates research specifications, including objectives to evaluate CSR's importance and its role in achieving goals. It explores factors influencing project selection and conducts a critical review of key references, examining CSR's impact on stakeholder relations, branding, and competitive advantage. The project outlines a research plan with a Gantt chart for effective project management, emphasizing data collection and evaluation methods, including questionnaires. The findings aim to identify the advantages of CSR implementation, such as improved stakeholder relationships, enhanced employee retention, and the creation of a competitive edge. The project concludes with recommendations for Volkswagen to leverage CSR for achieving its objectives.

Research Project
(Benefits of CSR for accomplish goals and
objective – A case study on Volkswagen)

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
1.1 Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications............................1
1.2 Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection..............2
1.3 Undertake a critical review of key references..................................................................3
1.4 Produce a research project specification..........................................................................5
1.5 Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification.........5
2.1& 2.2 Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis with agreed
procedure................................................................................................................................6
2.3 Record and collate relevant data where appropriate.........................................................7
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................9
3.1 Use appropriate research evaluation techniques...............................................................9
3.2 & 3.3 Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification with
appropriate recommendations as well....................................................................................9
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................14
4.1 Covered in power point..................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Research is basically applied for a specific purpose or a reason so that better and effective
outcome could be gain. It is important to make appropriate and valid consideration in
investigation for gaining better and suited result (Boardman and et. al., 2017). Every study has a
specific purpose and a target which need to properly understand by a company for further
business options. This research project is based on evaluation of corporate social responsibility
for an organisation in order to influence customer choice. This section lead to be based on
Volkswagen which is one of a famous automotive association. For this aspect, one of an essential
thing is to understand about research project specification with appropriate plan and procedure
for a study. Along with this, it also states about use of suitable resources to meet with research
project specification. The last consent is based on evaluation of techniques which support in
present study effectively.
TASK 1
1.1 Formulate and record possible research project outline specifications
Title: “To determine the benefits of CSR for accomplish goals and objective – A case study on
Volkswagen”.
This project is based on Volkswagen which is one of a famous automotive company in
the world. Association have wide range of products whether they belong to low quality or with
high quality standard as well. Thus, there is a need to modify several number of consents into an
organisation so that better and effective gain could be promoted and encourage. For this aspect,
there is a need to evaluate and identify importance of corporate social responsibility in to
business and its commencing operations. Hence, on the basis of this research, a major thing gets
evaluated which associated with evaluation of benefits which gain by Volkswagen by applying
CSR into business for accomplishing goals and objectives (Bryson, Ackermann and Eden, 2016).
Once this module gets completed, then a major point gets derive which constitutes about benefits
which drawn by applying CSR into operations for accomplishment of goals and objectives.
Aim: It is defining as a blueprint or a target or sought to a goal which need to accomplish in
define time duration. There is always a need arise which demonstrate about use of aim in study
so that whole work gets concentrated towards a specific factor or element for better and effective
working. Define aim for this project on Volkswagen is:
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“To determine the benefits of CSR for accomplish goals and objective – A case study on
Volkswagen”.
Objectives: These are general guidelines which have to follow in an investigation properly and
effectively (Cegarra-Navarro and et. al., 2016). It is essential to frame two or three objectives of
a study properly so that chances of better and appropriate results and outcome become possible
in frame. Volkswagen objectives define as follow for better and effective working:
 To evaluate the importance of CSR in Volkswagen
 To evaluate use of CSR in order to accomplish goals and objectives by an association To identify benefits of CSR for achieving goals and objectives by Volkswagen team
Research Question: For every project, there are several questions always get arise. These
questions enable in conducting better and appropriate study. Although, chances of better and
suitable outcome gain could be enhancing for determine better aspects properly. Thus, research
question for Volkswagen stated as follow:
 Why corporate social responsibility is important for Volkswagen?
 How business become able to accomplish goals and objectives properly by working on
CSR properly?
 What will be the major future benefits which gain by Volkswagen for accomplish goals
and objectives?
1.2 Identify the factors that contribute to the process of research project selection
A research is a process which contribute in better and effective decision making process.
It is important to determine all such factors which enforce in order to organise a study properly
and effectively (Forrer and Fort, 2016). Thus, various kinds of factors which contribute in
process of research project selection stated as follow:
 A research always supports in order to take and gain better results and outcome so that
chances of appropriate and effective gain could be promoted. Thus, one of f actor for
study is all about future concern which need to understand at the time of proposing
investigation.
 Support business organization to make investment properly and work on major consents
which arise in front of an association. This factor also contributes in effective study.
Although, some factors which will contribute in evaluation of effective and appropriate study is
stated as follow in context of Volkswagen which is one of a largest automotive organisation:
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 Introduction: This project is based on Volkswagen whom want to determine about
benefits of CSR for accomplishing goals and objectives (Grant, 2016). In introduction all
aims and objectives as well title and questions get prepare which support in conclude
further study properly. Literature review: This section of study constitutes about various scholars and famous
writers’ aspects properly. On the basis of writer’s aspect, a single aim get evaluated and
understand in an appropriate and suitable frame. Thus, chances of better and effective
gaining will enhance for future aspects. Methodology: Every study need some suitable and appropriate number of methods
which contribute in overall success and execution of project. Thus, chances of suitable
and appropriate gains become possible. It is important for researcher to evaluate all
concern methodologies of study properly and then execute further process. Data collection: This section depicts about gathering of information from various
sources. With data collection process, Volkswagen become able to derive suitable aspect
from various respondents so that better and effective gain get promoted. Data Evaluation: On the basis of gather data, next task of study is to evaluate it in a
suitable manner (Grigoris, 2016). Data evaluation need to get done by presenting various
graphs and charts properly which facilitate a suitable and appropriate working as well as
understanding of the aim.
 Conclusion and recommendation: The last step of study is conclusion and
recommendation in which whole outcome of project get derive. Conclusion and
recommendation will enable in order to improve process.
1.3 Undertake a critical review of key references
This section gets presented with support of various scholars and writers aspects properly.
In a study, it is important to include literature review so that chances of analysing aspects
become possible. On the basis of critical references all points and things get evaluated and
understand in an appropriate and suitable frame. Volkswagen study frame three major objectives
which need a critical inspection properly:
a) Evaluation of importance of corporate social responsibility
According to the Hales and et. al., 2016, corporate social responsibility is considering as
a major concern for business through which each and every employee become able to contribute
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towards society for their betterment. With support of corporate social responsibility business
become able to maximise their productivity and profitability. Thus, it is important for an
organisation to determine importance of CSR into their working which stated as follow:
 As per the aspect of Herghiligiu, and et. al., 2016, CSR promote effective and appropriate
working of all stakeholders of a business. Thus, one of a major importance of corporate
social responsibility is that each and every individual become able to contribute best
towards society and take all major issues seriously. Hence, betterment possibility of
environment and society become possible.
 It also supports in order to impulse relation of an organisation with local community so
that a good and appropriate image get created. This will promote in order to gain better
and suitable outcome for gaining better and effective aspect.
 Branding is a major concern of every business which need to understand by business
managers of an organisation. By performing CSR into operations, association become
able to create a different branding image in front of their targeted customers.
b) Use of corporate social responsibility for accomplishing goals and objectives
On the basis of Lam and Lim, 2016, corporate social responsibility is a major aspect of
business which need a better and appropriate understanding. Thus, this section is helpful in order
to accomplish all goals and targets properly and effectively. Hence, use of corporate social
responsibility for business consent is that:
 A good and appropriate image get created in front of customers of a company. This part
is helpful in order to achieve all goals and targets properly. A major concern of every
business association is accomplishment of their targets which contribute in overall
success.
 Another section which support in accomplishing all goals and objectives is branding.
Branding is essential for every business and it need and support an association to
maximise efficiency of business and concern operations. Although, chances of gaining
better and supportive results possible through branding.
c) Identification of benefits which gain through applying corporate social responsibility
As per the view point of Laszlo and Zhexembayeva, 2017, corporate social responsibility
is a major factor in business success and accomplishment of goals and objectives. Thus, it
reflects several benefits which an association lead to gain by applying suitable CSR activities in
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their operations and management. Hence, various benefits which gain through applying CSR in
business stated as follow:
 One of a major benefit which gain by Volkswagen through applying corporate social
responsibility into business is that effective relationship get maintain and managed with
stakeholders.
 It also supports in attracting and retaining employees into business by making their
involvement more appropriate in nature. Volkswagen have to implement this section so
that their employee’s turnover gets minimise.
 CSR is a kind of competitive advantage and core competency tool which facilitate an
association to grow and developed over with time. It is important for Volkswagen to
implement it into business which facilitate effective and suitable outcome.
1.4 Produce a research project specification
Research project need an appropriate and suitable specification of study. In such aspect, it
is important to consider all aims and objectives properly and create hypothesis on that. The scope
of this project is high in nature just because it will support business to understand the concept of
CSR which enhance support to understand the aspect of this factor in order to gain competitive
advantage. This specification also signifies about use of various methods and use the best one to
conclude a beneficial outcome (Obeidat, Tarhini and Aqqad, 2016).
Questionnaire consider as one of a best supportive context through which better and
effective gain chances become possible. This signifies that investigation need to be more
appropriate and effective in nature. With this specification, chances of better and suitable gain
become possible. Although, Volkswagen become able to understand the concept of corporate
social responsibility and its implementation into organisation working.
1.5 Provide an appropriate plan and procedures for the agreed research specification
Every project has a definite plan and procedure in which researcher need to complete it in
an appropriate frame. For this aspect, Gantt Chart is considering as best suited tool through
which study get accomplish all its goals and objectives properly and effectively so that better and
appropriate gain could be supported (Scandelius and Cohen, 2016).
Gantt Chart: It is a kind of planning tool which support in provide an appropriate and definite
frame for completing the project. It enables in reaching all aims and objectives properly so that
efficiency lead to get maximise as well as better outcome chances become enhance. The Gantt
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Chart for Volkswagen study specify as follow which need to better understand in every project
so that all essentials get fulfil appropriately and effectively for appropriate the judgement.
2.1& 2.2 Match resources efficiently to the research question or hypothesis with agreed
procedure
There are various resources get utilise and determine which need to implement in a
project properly. Thus, it enables and support in order to meet with all research questions and
hypothesis properly and effectively (Boardman and et. al., 2017). There are various research
methods get evaluated which made a vast impact on order to create hypothesis of a project and to
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meet with study outcome. Various resources which support in gain better and effective outcome
for Volkswagen are: Finance: One of a major and initial thing which constitutes about project is finance or
consider as money. It is important for an organisation to allot sufficient money or finance
to study so that better and effective outcome could be gain.
 Men power: Another resource to meet with hypothesis and outcome is human resource.
This section also contributes in order to signifies appropriate project and study.
2.3 Record and collate relevant data where appropriate
Questionnaire
Name:
E- mail:
Gender:
Age:
Q1. Are CSR activities help in accomplishing goals and objectives within certain period of
time?
a) Yes 14
b) No 6
Q2. As per you, with aid of CSR activities VW will take advantages from their
competitors?
a) Yes 15
b) No 5
Q3. By fulfilling CSR activities company will survive at marketplace for longer period of
time?
a) Yes 16
b) No 4
Q4. What kind of sources are arising which are related to VW?
a) Women empowerment 4
b) Social welfare 6
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c) Wastage 5
d) Child labour 5
Q5. Why Corporate social responsibility need to be communicate to employees?
a) It improves public awareness 6
b) Help to maintain relationship 4
c) Increase profits and productivity 4
d) Provide motivation to staff members 6
Q6. What sort of tools and techniques will be utilized by company to communicate about
CSR activities?
a) Website 8
b) Meetings 8
c) Annual CSR reports 2
d) E-mail 2
Q7. How an enterprise will measure advantages of CSR?
a) Reputation 10
b) Customer loyalty and satisfaction 8
c) Workforce skills 2
Q8. Is CSR activities help company in improvisation of revenues?
a) Yes 13
b) No 7
Q9. Is CSR activities are helpful for company to gain financial assistance?
a) Yes 17
b) No 3
Q10. Any recommendations or suggestions?
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TASK 2
3.1 Use appropriate research evaluation techniques
There are various methods and approaches utilise in a study which support to gain better
and associated outcome properly and effectively. It is important to use suitable investigation
method by researcher so that highly effective and possible results could be accomplish (Bryson,
Ackermann and Eden, 2016). Volkswagen research methodology stated as follow which support
aims and objectives in a suitable frame: Research Design: A design of a research need to be frame in such context so that study
become able to reach all associated aim and objective properly. This will support in gain
better and effective outcome so that chances of appropriate work become possible. Sources of data – Mainly there are only two types of data determine which are primary
and secondary data. Both of them are helpful to draw appropriate outcome by inspecting
in a suited frame. Type of research methods – Qualitative, quantitative and multi combination are several
kinds of research methods which support in gain better and effective results. Data Analysis – Data analysis is a crucial part of study in which information get analyse
properly. Data analysis method use for collecting responses so that it gets define properly
and effectively.
 Data Sampling – Every research or study is based on some sample. These sample are
based on some major respondents whom selected random or through cluster or any other
method of sampling.
3.2 & 3.3 Interpret and analyse the results in terms of the original research specification with
appropriate recommendations as well
Theme 1: CSR are helpful in order to accomplish goals and objectives
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a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16 14
6
Interpretation: One of a major thing which promote and support through implementing
corporate social responsibility is to determine and accomplish goals and objectives properly.
Volkswagen is one of a famous association whom need to implement CSR properly so that
organisation become able to accomplish all of their targets effectively.
Theme 2: Volkswagen become able to gain competitive advantage through CSR
a) Yes b) No
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
16
15
5
Interpretation: In a keen competitive world, a major concern which associates with business and
their working is to create and show them differ from others. It is important for an organisation to
evaluate and adopt such kind of step which enables in better working. Volkswagen need to
implement this section properly so that they lead to gain competitive advantage and create them
differ from others.
Theme 3: Corporate social responsibility enhances sustainability of an organisation
10

16
4
Interpretation: A major factor which evaluate and support for an association success is
sustainability. A sustainable organisation is one whom have better and effective working
operations with high quality standard. Thus CSR lead to promote sustainability of business
which need to understand by Volkswagen properly.
Theme 4: Social welfare and child labour are major concern associated with corporate social
responsibility
a) Women empowerment
b) Social welfare
c) Wastage
d) Child labour
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
4
6
5 5
Interpretation: It is important for an organisation to determine such aspects where they need to
grow and develop their concern. Hence, in such aspect, social welfare and child labour are two
major concern which need to implement by Volkswagen so that they become able to engage in
such social practices which enhance organisation welfare.
Theme 5: Corporate social responsibility support in motivating staff as well as creating public
awareness
11

a) It improves public awareness
c) Increase profits and productivity
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
6
4 4
6
Interpretation: Every business has an aim as well as target for which they lead to make
practices. Thus, behind implementation of corporate social responsibility, two major aspects
associated with business. Out of which one if motivating staff as well as creating public
awareness. Hence, Volkswagen lead to accomplish these two factors as well with effective
implementation of CSR.
Theme 6: Website and annual meetings are best tool to communicate about CSR
0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
0
1
2
3
4
5
8
8
2
2
Interpretation: Once all section lead to take place then a major concern gets arise which
associate with promotion. Business need to evaluate a basic and appropriate tool which enable
them to promote and introduce CSR in activities. Websites and meetings are two major aspects
which support to introduce Volkswagen corporate social responsibility in front of every
stakeholder.
Theme 7: Reputation and consumer loyalty are major concern related with measurement of
success of CSR
12

a) Reputation b) Customer loyalty and satisfaction c) Workforce skills
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
10
8
2
Interpretation: With implementation of such practices, Volkswagen lead to create reputation in
market world. Along with this, they also gain consumer loyalty which promote and support
effective working efficiency and operation management.
Theme 8: Corporate social responsibility support in order to improve revenue of a company
0.8 1 1.2 1.4 1.6 1.8 2 2.2
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14 13
7
Interpretation: Behind every growth and development plan, a single and sole thing associate is
enhancement of revenue and profit. Business need to implement CSR properly into business and
concern operations so that they become able to improve revenue of a company with better image.
Theme 9: CSR provide financial assistance to a company and its employees
13

a) Yes b) No
0
5
10
15
20 17
3
Interpretation: A major thing which associates with business and working is gaining financial
assistance. Business become able to learn how to use their finance in order to gain better and
suitable results for long term perspective.
Several major aspects which need improvement for Volkswagen are:
 Along with some areas of working in respect to society, Volkswagen is one of a wide
association which also can implement some major events linked with CSR. Out of which
major one is women empowerment which concern in various parts of the world.
 Volkswagen also have to use and consume fund properly and effectively. This become
possible by appropriate and suitable planning. Thus, business managers need to
implement CSR plan properly with optimum utilisation of resources.
TASK 3
4.1 Covered in power point
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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University Press.
Bryson, J. M., Ackermann, F. and Eden, C., 2016. Discovering collaborative advantage: the
contributions of goal categories and visual strategy mapping. Public Administration
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Cegarra-Navarro, J. G. and et. al., 2016. Linking social and economic responsibilities with
financial performance: The role of innovation. European Management Journal. 34(5).
pp.530-539.
Forrer, J. J. and Fort, T. L., 2016. The PACO index. Business Horizons. 59(5). pp.533-538.
Grant, R. M., 2016. Contemporary strategy analysis: Text and cases edition. John Wiley &
Sons.
Grigoris, G., 2016. The Challenges of Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment
Methodologies. International Journal of Economics & Business Administration
(IJEBA). 4(1). pp.39-55.
Hales, J. and et. al., 2016. Becoming sustainable: A rational decision based on sound information
and effective processes?. Journal of Management Accounting Research. 28(2). pp.13-
28.
Herghiligiu, I. V. and et. al., 2016, July. Framework of the e-learning training program on
corporate social responsibility. In The International Scientific Conference eLearning
and Software for Education (Vol. 3, p. 526). " Carol I" National Defence University.
Lam, J. S. L. and Lim, J. M., 2016. Incorporating corporate social responsibility in strategic
planning: case of ship-operating companies. International Journal of Shipping and
Transport Logistics. 8(3). pp.273-293.
Laszlo, C. and Zhexembayeva, N., 2017. Embedded sustainability: The next big competitive
advantage. Routledge.
Obeidat, B. Y., Tarhini, A. and Aqqad, N., 2016. The impact of transformational leadership on
organizational performance via the mediating role of corporate social responsibility: A
structural equation modeling approach. International Business Research. 10(1). p.199.
Scandelius, C. and Cohen, G., 2016. Achieving collaboration with diverse stakeholders—The
role of strategic ambiguity in CSR communication. Journal of Business Research.
69(9). pp.3487-3499.
Online
Importance of Corporate Social Responsibility. 2018. [Online]. Available through
:<https://www.managementstudyguide.com/importance-of-corporate-social-
responsibility.htm>.
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