Question

Corporate Social Responsibility

A company has just become profitable by selling sustainable stationery, computers, and other accessories. The company uses waste resources to make the products. The company’s mission is to make a difference in society. They plan to start a new CSR department and they select you as the CSR head to formulate and implement CSR in the organization.

1. Explain various steps involved in developing and implementing a CSR strategy in the organization.

The answer should be Unique and Customized. The above question carry 20 marks. As per University guidelines, the answer should be a min of 1000 words., Please prepare as per guidelines.

Answer 1

1. The various steps involved in developing and implementing a CSR strategy in the organisation are explained as follows:-

1. Analyze your impact

First of all, it is important to know which areas of your company can become more sustainable and which have the biggest impact. You can implement the greatest measures where the biggest impact is. This makes the whole exercise more credible.

Since our company has just became profitable, we first need to expand our reach to different regions across the world so that we can actually make a difference in the society as we intend to.

2. Set a clear goal of sustainability

A big mistake everybody makes is to not set a goal and just strive for improvement. That’s not how it works: without a vision and a goal, you will make the wrong choices.

Our company's managers developed a clear sustainability goal: by 2025 the company wants to produce all products by using 75 percent of inputs by recycling and mrthods of resuing.

3. Appoint a CSR professional

Our company has made sustainability a strategic priority and appointed a CSR manager whose job is to develop a 10-year plan which should transform the whole company by 20205. As coordinator and leader, they plays a pivotal role in company’s sustainability policy.

4. Ensure you conduct enough consultations

If managers don’t talk about the goals set or evaluate the progress or effectiveness of measures taken, the chances are the goals will never be met.

Our company holds regular consultations throughout the year between the CSR team and the managers.

5. Break down your goal into manageable chunks

Striving for a goal without splitting it in smaller parts is not that effective. A goal is often an idea which cannot be easily translated into action: what needs to actually happen can remain very vague. By breaking down your main goal into smaller, achievable chunks, you get a concrete picture of what needs to be done.

Our company has divided its goal into three key areas : nature conservation, carbon footprint, and people and society. Within theses areas, it built eight platforms to further clarify its goals.

6. Make sure you have an critical external eye

It certainly cannot hurt to let external bodies evaluate your goals and action. This helps provide a much-needed fresh perspective. They will also see if your targets are achievable and may advise on areas where you can improve further.

Our company co-opted the assistance of external partners from the very start. One of those partners was XYZ IT school, which will evaluate its strategy after 5 years.

7. Don’t be afraid to change

Nobody has the most perfectly-formulated and feasible goal right from the outset. It is a process which takes years, which means new influencing factors could pop up at any stage. It is a constantly-evolving process which therefore needs to be continually assessed and adjusted.

Our company is open to suggestions and changes, therefore we will modify, adapt and make changes to the plan after the observation and suggestions by XYZ IT school.