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BUS1053: CSR Framework Report

BUS1053: CSR Framework Report

As studied and discussed in class, organizations need a detailed plan for implementing CSR strategy into their operations. As with any operational plan, the background research, selection of initiatives, stakeholder engagement, business case for moving forward, and step-by-step implementation plan must be well thought out and designed.

In this final project, you will use all of the tools presented over this semester to design an operational CSR strategic plan for your organization.

YOUR TASK:

Based on the scenario you chose during the in-class Stakeholder Analysis Practice assignment OR the fictitious scenario assigned to your group during our Assignment #4 Stakeholder Analysis OR on an organization of your choice, you and your team members will create a CSR strategy framework. Whether it is a small, medium, or large-scale business, the steps of this task are the same. In order to complete the framework document appropriately you will perform the following tasks [research]. Remember that all documents must be evidence based, so you will be required to do a lot of research. Don’t forget to cite all of your sources!

PART A: CONDUCT A CSR ASSESSMENT

  1. Conduct a CSR assessment for the business/industry. Develop the business case for CSR and review their current processes and operations. (See CSR Framework: Step 1 – Assessment Slides 1-19 for help here.)
  2. Conduct a thorough stakeholder analysis to identify the major concerns for each stakeholder group and the impact of the group on the business. [Note: you have already done this step in a previous assignment. Pay attention to the feedback you received on that assignment and adjust it accordingly] (See CSR Framework: Step 1 – Assessment Slides 20-34 for help here.)

PART B: DEVELOP A CSR STRATEGY AND INITIATIVES

  1. Conduct a competitive analysis – research and evaluate what the company’s two greatest competitors are doing. Highlight and explain a major CSR initiative for each. (See CSR Framework Part 2: CSR Strategy and Initiatives for help here)
  2. Select 1 (one) area of focus and identify a minimum of 2 (two) CSR initiative[s] that you will implement for your organization. In this section you must:
    1. Clearly identify the initiative chosen and develop the business case for selecting it.
    2. Discuss the Key Performance Indicator[s] for each and the measurement methods you will employ
  3. Identify one (1) short-term goal and one (1) long-term goal for each of the initiatives you have outlined – goals must be SMART (See CSR Framework Part 2: CSR Strategy and Initiatives for help here)

PART C: CREATE A CSR IMPLEMENTATION PLAN

  1. Provide a detailed, multi-phase plan of how you will implement your new policy/initiative. (*Remember: you have short-term and long-term goals). Be sure to include instruction for all those to whom the new CSR commitments will apply. Consider the following:
    1. Will there need to be training? If so, what and how?
    2. What sort of mechanisms will you establish to combat problem behaviour?
    3. What are the measurable targets that you will set and how do you intend to measure them?
    4. What is the time frame for implementation?
    5. What is the time frame for review and redirection, if necessary? Think check-points with measurable and actionable outcomes. (See CSR Framework Part 3: Implementation for help here)

PART D: DEVELOP CSR COMMITMENTS (ENGAGEMENT):

  1. Outline a plan to build support with your key target audiences (market focused, community focused and internal focused stakeholders) for the new CSR direction. (See CSR Framework Parts 4 & 5: Communication and Evaluation for help here)
  2. Outline a plan of how you will communicate your new CSR initiative/policy, including the following:
    1. Communication objective(s): what do you want to achieve through communication?
    2. Message: how will you decide what you want to say to them?
    3. Medium: how do you plan to deliver the message to each intended stakeholder audience? (Think short-term and long-term)
  3. Present a general statement on how you plan to evaluate the success of your CSR initiative over time. (See CSR Framework Parts 4 & 5: Communication and Evaluation for help here)

THE REPORT

This is a formal report that is intended to be an official document for review by the management, shareholders, owners, etc. of your business. How you choose to design it is up to you, but here are some tips:

  • The report should flow well and be easy to read. Consider this to be a report for the president of your company – you will want to present the material in a clear, concise paper. Don’t include anything that isn’t relevant to the discussion.
  • Appendices are fine, but you shouldn’t have the reader jumping all over to follow the information.
  • Information that requires lists and categories [like the stakeholder analysis] is often best presented in a table so that comparison is easy. Paragraphs within tables are not necessarily the best choice. Bullet points are fine when detailed explanation is not needed but be careful to make sure that the reader would clearly understand the point you are making.
  • Presenting your personal opinion is not a valid means of explaining a point. Any information you present must be evidenced based, which means that you will be required to research everything! Make sure to review the Perdue OWL Guide to APA citations that is included in the Moodle shell.
  • You must research and cite all pertinent information for this assignment.
  • As per all other assignments, marks will be deducted for spelling and grammatical errors as well as informal use of language, and improper or missing citations. Spelling, grammar, and sentence structure errors will be assessed at a loss of 2% per unique error up to a maximum of 20%.
  • Please make sure to see the next section for the Academic Integrity form that is to be attached to this, and all, individual and/or group assignments.

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