The effects of Asda's Social Responsibility Policy on the business Dissertation

The effects of Asda's Social Responsibility Policy on the business Practice - Dissertation Example The study adopted a qualitative approach and this study was based purely on secondary data. Secondary data was obtained through different sources which helped in triangulating the data and in conducting the analysis. The study finds that CSR has a major role in enhancing corporate performance which stretches beyond financial performance. Corporations, by addressing their duties towards all the stakeholders, fulfill their legal responsibilities and duties as corporate citizens. ASDA too has been able to achieve this because of its CSR strategy which is sustainable. They have integrated and embedded CSR into their overall business right and it is not implemented for the purpose of public relations or with selfish motives. CSR plays a critical role in bringing continuous improvement in Asda’s market performance. ASDA has been able to bring change in its organizational practices, change in managerial attitude which has helped them demonstrate their readiness to respond to the chan ging business environment. ASDA does have self-motivating reasons for making environmental and social contributions, but these do not impact the quality of contribution to the society and the planet. The study concluded by highlighting the limitations of the study and by making recommendations for further study on the subject. Table of Contents Chapter I Introduction 1.1 Background 1 1.2 Rationale for the Study 3 1.3 Research Aims and Objectives 3 1.4 Research Questions 4 1.5 Structure of the Study 4 Chapter II Literature Review 2.1 Definitions 6 2.2 Advantages of CSR and Corporate Citizenship 11 2.3 CSR in Retail Sector in Europe 12 2.4 CSR in Food Retail 13 2.5 Stakeholders’ Theory 14 2.6 Corporate Ethics 15 2.7 Sustainability 16 2.8 Chapter Summary 16 Chapter III Methodology 3.1 Research Philosophy 17 3.2 Research Phenomenon 17 3.3 Research Design 17 3.4 Choice of Method 18 3.5 Research Approach 18 3.6 Data Collection 19 3.7 Justification for Literature Review 19 3.8 Justi fication for Secondary Research 20 3.9 Sources of Secondary Data 21 3.10 Data Analysis 22 3.11 Reliability & Validity 23 3.12 Ethical Concerns 23 Chapter IV Findings & Discussions 4.1 Findings 24 4.2 Discussion 31 Chapter V Conclusion and Recommendations 5.1 Conclusion 37 5.2 Limitations of the Study 39 5.3 Recommendations for further study 40 5.4 Reflective Thinking 40 References 41 Figure 2.1 Carroll's Pyramid 9 Table 2.1 The Grid of Corporate Citizenship Values 9 Figure 2.1 The ‘Rationale Triangle’ 10 Table 2.2 CSR initiatives by large Corporations 13 Chapter I Introduction 1.1 Background Companies are individual legal entities and hence can be considered to be corporate citizens with legal rights and duties (Marsden and Andriof, 1998). Citizenship entails active commitment and responsibility. It means to make a difference in the society, in the community or the world in which one lives. Good corporate citizenship, therefore, requires understanding and managing the o rganization’s influences on and relationship with the rest of the society so as to minimize the negative impacts and maximize the positive impacts. Organizations hence need to have self-motivating reasons for making environmental and social contributions. Mounting pressure from people, individuals and groups have urged businesses to be economically, environmentally and socially sustainable, to be transparent in their dealings and to be ethical and more equitable (Batten and Brich, 2005). Corporate citizenshi