Comparative Analysis of Woolworths CSR Reporting (2013 & 2016)

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Woolworths' Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting, comparing the company's approach in 2013 and 2016. It examines the areas covered by Woolworths in its CSR initiatives, including environmental impact, social development, and ethical practices. The analysis highlights the tone of the reports, emphasizing the company's commitment to environmental sustainability, community development, and employee welfare. A key focus is placed on the differences between the 2013 and 2016 reports, particularly the increased emphasis on green initiatives, women empowerment, and waste management in the latter. The report also notes the similarities, such as the creation of employment opportunities and a focus on customer health. It references Woolworths' commitment to animal welfare, energy efficiency, and waste water treatment. The analysis concludes with a comparison of the annual and CSR reports of 2016, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainable practices and its role in fostering economic growth and community well-being. The report draws on Woolworths' annual and CSR reports as well as academic literature.

RUNNING HEAD: CSR Reporting 1
CSR Reporting
Woolworths

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Introduction
Corporate social responsibility is corporation’s step to move and undertake
company’s effect on environment and society on it (Suliman, Al-Khatib & Thomas, 2016). It
defines what are the requirement a company should fulfil to remain sustainable in country’s
growth.
In the report analysis of Woolworths Company CSR has been analysed. Report shows
the areas covered by Company in 2016 and 2013 through CSR and the tone of report and in
last comparison between both year areas covered.
Analysis of CSR in annual report of 2013 and 2016:
2016: Woolworths' operations, in specific its petroleum, meat preparing plants and
winemaking organizations, uncover it to potential ecological the obligation for
contamination, which could adversely affect Woolworths' outcomes. Woolworths Limited
operations are liable to a scope of natural management under the law of the Commonwealth
of Australia what's more, its states and domains. The Group is likewise subject to different
state and neighbourhood government sustenance permitting prerequisites and might be liable
to natural furthermore, town arranging directions accidental to the advancement of strip mall
destinations.
Tone of report:
Tone is suggestive and primitive in nature. Woolworths is supporting and encouraging
towards sports and Country’s environment. As their social development strategy is not only
aligned to business but also values country development priorities. Company also supports
education, food security to people and child safety plans. Their ultimate aim is to support and
grow with country’s growth only and without harming natural resources (Chen, 2015). In
2013 as well country was supportive towards country through providing employment,
healthier standards, safety and promotion of local produce.
Difference in Annual report of 2016 and 2013:
In 2016 company investment were more towards green responsibility of business. It
also promoted employment opportunities for women and managed more environmental

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friendly practices. In 2013, main motive was to enhance country local produce and health
standards of people living. Employment opportunities were also huge but encouragement to
women was given more in 2016. Company also ensured proper waste management of its
waste pollutants better in 2016 as comparison to 2013.
Similarity: In both year employment opportunities created by Woolworths were enough.
Growth of economy is the core objective of this company. It created healthy choices for
customer; this initiative was started in 2013 and gained more significance in 2016.
CSR reporting:
CSR reporting 2016: Woolworths approach towards CSR was intensive understanding that in
today’s socio-social and financial atmosphere. The Group has not caused any critical
liabilities under any environmental enactment. Company also followed animal welfare,
energy efficiency techniques, waste water treatment, recycling and microbeads (Woolworths
corp, 2016). As by agreement it also exited the Home Improvement Business Masters and the
Home Timber Hardware group. In 2016 women engagement was also encouraged in order to
support women empowerment.
CSR report 2013: Woolworths approach towards CSR was more towards job creation, health
and customer focused. In 2013 main focus was on helping farmers and local producers.
Among the 157 new workers beginning with us every day, we have 95 youthful people1 in
Australia and New Zealand, going up against apprenticeships, graduates straight from college
and undergraduates working after school to earn pocket money (Spillan, & Ling, 2015).
Company also believes in making healthier choices for customer by providing convenient and
healthier food at low prices.
Tone of report:
Tone of report is promoting and having aim of overall development. The report in
suggest that company is investing in fulfilling all its CSR responsibility. It does it with help
of its policies of not harming country’s natural supplies; promote patriotism more and
fulfilling its other objective towards society. In 2013, it was aim was to encourage more and
more country resources by utilising them in efficient way. It promoted local produce,
employment opportunities and food standard.

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Difference between CSR and annual report of 2016:
In 2016 annual report, company focused on its objective of green development. It has
achieved the same through proper waste management policy. Whereas in 2016 CSR Report
Company disclosed all the green development activities it completed in 2016 to achieve
green development like Company followed the norms set by government for emitting
permissible pollutants. It mentioned the achievement of the sustainable generation of sales in
food in 2016 but in CSR report it disclosed how sustainability in food is achieved by
recycling, reusing and energy efficiency.
References:
Chen, G. C. (2015). The Challenges of Sustainable Development for the Health-Care
Industry: An Examination from the Perspectives of Biomedical Enterprises. In Sustainable
Development for the Healthcare Industry (pp. 133-145). Springer International Publishing.
Spillan, J. E., & Ling, H. G. (2015, January). Woolworths: An Adizes Corporate Lifecycle
Perspective. In Business History Conference. Business and Economic History On-line:
Papers Presented at the BHC Annual Meeting(Vol. 13, p. 1). Business History Conference.
Suliman, A. M., Al-Khatib, H. T., & Thomas, S. E. (2016). Corporate Social
Responsibility. Corporate Social Performance: Reflecting on the Past and Investing in the
Future, 15.
Woolworths corp, (2016). Woolsworths. (Annual report). Available at:
https://wow2016ar.qreports.com.au/
Woolworths corp, (2016). Woolworths. (CSR report). Available at:
https://wow2016cr.qreports.com.au/.