Analyzing CSR's Impact on Waitrose's Competitive Advantage

This report examines the role of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in enhancing the competitive advantage of Waitrose. The study begins with an overview of CSR and its significance, followed by a project management plan outlining the research process. The report includes a Gantt chart and work breakdown structure for effective project execution. A small-scale research project is conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess the views of Waitrose managers. The research explores the importance of CSR, its link to competitive advantage, and the issues Waitrose faces, particularly regarding environmental impact. The findings indicate that CSR activities are crucial for Waitrose's brand image and socioeconomic status. The research also suggests that waste management should be the primary focus of Waitrose's CSR program, with recommendations for a dedicated CSR department and employee involvement. The report concludes with actionable recommendations for Waitrose to strengthen its CSR efforts and gain a competitive edge.

MANAGING A SUCCESSFUL
BUSINESS PROJECT

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TASK 1
P1. Project aims, objectives and time frame for Waitrose
Topic: “Ways to undertake Corporate Social Responsibilities while sustaining the business
operations and consistently enhancing the competitive advantage”
Background of Study
Undertaking efficient CSR activities enable entities to gain a reputation in the market and
directly improve the socioeconomic status of the company, along with the moral status. This
signals a healthy condition of the business and further, improves the market value of the
company in the eyes of stakeholders. With the assistance of these means a company is
empowered to gain competitive advantage in the market (Harjoto and Jo, 2011). Waitrose is one
such companies which has been operating for the past 20 years and considers implementation of
CSR programme as one of the necessities. It believes in maintaining relation with its
stakeholders and ensuring long term relations.
Aim
To understand the role of CSR in gaining competitive advantage in the market: A Case
Study of Waitrose.
Objectives
In order to attain aim of the present research the following objectives have been
developed:
 To understand the significance of CSR activities in the present world
 To understand the inter-dependence of CSR activities with competitive advantages To recommend certain measures for undertaking CSR activities through which business
can attain competitive advantage in market.
Research Questions
 What is the significance of CSR activities in the present world?
 How CSR activities are linked to attainment of competitive advantage?
P2 Project Management Plan
In order to undertake an effective and accurate execution of the project the following
management plan has been developed. Specific time duration has been allotted to all the
activities in order to ensure timely completion of the entire project. Moreover, identifying
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specific activities shall also enable the project manager to cover all the relevant areas necessary
for accomplishment of the ascertained aims and objectives.
Activities Time Duration Predecessors
Planning
1 Identifying the
research topic
7 days
2 Developing a
problem
statement
4 days 1
3 Allocating
time duration
for utilization
of various
resources
8 days 1, 2
Implementation
4 Undertaking
Critical review
of literature
20 days 1,2, 3
5 Identifying
Research
Methodology
15 days 1, 4
6 Calculating
Cost
5 days 5
7 Data Analysis 15 days 5, 6
8 Producing
findings and
outcomes
10 days 7
Closure of Project
9 Concluding
the study and
making
recommendati
ons
7 days 8
10 Documentatio
n of findings
5 days 8
11 Final
Submission
2 day 10
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The project management plan has been formulated to undertake the project in an effective
and timely manner. In pursuance to the same the Planning of the entire process shall be
undertaken at the preliminary stage. A relevant and suitable topic of research shall be deduced on
the basis of extensive research. On the basis of research topic a problem statement shall be
developed so as to undertake the research for addressing different aspects of research Resources
shall be then allocated for each of the tasks to be undertaken.
After the planning stage, implementation of the plan shall be undertaken. In accordance
to this critical review of all the relevant literature shall be undertaken so as to understand all the
aspects of the topic. Further, with the assistance of effective tools and techniques of research
methodology data shall be collected and analyzed to generate effective findings.
The last stage shall be that of closure wherein the researcher shall make
recommendations in relation to the problem statement, document it and present the same.
P3 Producing Gantt Chart and Work Breakdown Structure
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WORK BREAKDOWN STRUCTURE
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RESEARCH PROJECT
Planning Implementation Closure of Project
Identifying the
research topic
Developing a
problem statement
Allocating time
duration for
utilization of
various resources
Undertaking
Critical review of
literature
Identifying
Research
Methodology
Calculating Cost
Data Analysis
Producing findings
and outcomes
Concluding the
study and making
recommendations
Documentation of
findings
Final Submission

TASK 2
P4. Small scale research by application of quantitative and qualitative research methods
Aim
To understand the role of CSR in gaining competitive advantage in the market: A Case
Study of Waitrose.
Objectives
In order to attain aim of the present research the following objectives have been
developed:
 To understand the significance of CSR activities in the present world
 To understand the inter-dependence of CSR activities with competitive advantages
 To recommend certain measures for undertaking CSR activities through which business
can attain competitive advantage in market.
Name:
Age:
1. Is it imperative for Waitrose to undertake CSR activities in the present times?
 Yes
 No
2. Do you believe CSR activities and Competitive Advantage are inter-linked?
 Yes
 No
3. “Adoption of CSR Activities as one of the operations of the company is a necessity”. Do you
agree?
 Strongly Agree
 Agree
 Neutral
 Disagree
4. What are the issues which Waitrose is currently facing?
 Health and Safety of employees
 Women Safety
 Increasing environmental impacts
5. In your opinion which of the following initiatives Waitrose shall undertake under its CSR
Program?
 Women Empowerment
 Waste Management
 Environmental Awareness
6. Which department shall be responsible for undertaking CSR programme at Waitrose?
 HR departmental
 Administration
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 A separate department shall be created
7. What are you recommendations for CSR activities of Waitrose?
_____________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________.
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Theme 1: CSR Activities is highly imperative for Waitrose
1. Is it imperative for Waitrose to undertake CSR activities in the present
times?
Frequency
Yes 6
No 4
6
4
CSR Activities is highly imperative for Waitrose
Yes
No
Interpretation: It can be ascertained from the figure that majority of the managers believe that
Waitrose shall adopt CSR activities and it plays a significant role in the present times. This
opinion is reflected through the response of 6 out of 10 managers. However, 4 of the other
managers thought that CSR does not play an instrumental role in the operations of company.
Thus, it can be concluded a significant role is played by CSR activities in developing a brand
image of the entity as well as gain socioeconomic status.
Theme 2: CSR Activities and Competitive Advantage are inter-linked.
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2. Do you believe CSR activities and Competitive Advantage are inter-
linked?
Frequency
Yes 8
No 2
Yes No
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
8
2
CSR Activities and Competitive Advantage are inter-linked
Column B
Interpretation: It can be inferred from the figures that attainment of competitive advantage is
dependent on CSR activities of the company, apart from other factors. 8 out of 10 managers
believed that both these elements are interlinked. However, 2 of the managers believed that no
such association can be established between the two factors. Thus, it can be concluded that in
gaining competitive advantage in the market, CSR activities also play an imperative and
instrumental role.
Theme 3: Adoption of CSR activities within operations of Waitrose is a necessity in present
times.
3. “Adoption of CSR Activities as one of the operations of the company is
a necessity”. Do you agree?
Frequency
Strongly Agree 2
Agree 4
10

Neutral 2
Disagree 2
Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
4
4.5
Frequency
Interpretation: It is the believed by managers that CSR activities shall play an integral role in the
operations of Waitrose. In pursuance to the same 4 of the managers agreed to the statement
whereas 2 of the managers strongly agreed to it. In total only 2 of the managers expressed a
contradiction on the statement, while the rest two took a neutral stand on the subject. It can be
understood by the responses that most of the managers are in favor of CSR activities and the fact
that it is necessity is the present times.
Theme 4: Health and safety occupies to be one of the major issues being faced within Waitrose
What are the issues which Waitrose is currently facing? Frequency
Health and Safety of employees 2
Women Safety 2
Increasing environmental impacts 6
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Health and Safety of employees
Women Safety
Increasing environmental impacts
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
2
2
6
Health and safety occupies to be one of the major issues being faced within Waitrose
Column B
Interpretation: In accordance to the gathered responses it can be stated that the major con
concerns which is being faced within the company is in connection to increasing environmental
aspects. 6 out of 10 managers raised a concern for the detrimental impact the operations of
company are making on the surrounding environment. However, 4 of the managers have also
stated instances of health and safety at workplace, in addition to women safety at workplace.
Thus, the primary issue which can be witnessed within the organization is in relation to
increasing impact on the environment.
Theme 5: Waitrose shall adopt Waste management as the primary aim of their CSR
Programme.
5. In your opinion which of the following initiatives Waitrose shall
undertake under its CSR Program?
Frequency
Women Empowerment 2
Waste Management 5
Environmental Awareness 3
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