Individual Report on CSR General Guidelines Order Instructions: INDIVIDUAL REPORT ON CSR: GENERAL GUIDELINES

THE REPORT IS INDIVIDUAL: Do not work in a group nor share your work with your
classmates, if there are similarities between the two reports, BOTH will be penalized (fail
mark).
THE REPORT IS DIFFERENT FROM THE GROUP WORK: It is about the same
company, which is called DOW and is Americian Chemical Company but it is a different topic. The report must focus on recommending a CSR
strategy. You can mention aspects related to win-win as part of your CSR strategy and
you can consult the first part of the course as a source, particularly if environmental
issues are key for your company. However, you need to make sure that your CSR
strategy addresses environmental, social and ethical issues in a balanced fashion.
ANSWER THE QUESTION: Make sure that you have read and understood the
implications of your essay question. Be careful to answer all aspects of the set question.
“Use your evidence to answer the question specifically and avoid simply writing on the
right theme in a loosely conceived way”. (Essay writing and referencing guide, School of
Management, 2015-2016, p. 3). If you do not fully answer the question you will not get
a pass mark.
AVOID PLAGIARISM? USE REFERENCES
USE REFERENCES (in- essay citing and as bibliography list)
In-essay citing: According to Crane et al. (2013)…
Direct quotation: “text you are quoting“ (Crane et al., p. 44).
The author quoted by another author:
Example: On Page 75 Crane et al say …. Carroll, characterized the situation as “an
eclectic field with loose boundaries” (Carroll, 1994, page 14).
If you want to say in your essay that CSR is an eclectic field with loose boundaries, using
Carroll’s exact words, you must write … CSR is “an eclectic field with loose boundaries”
(Carroll, 1994, in Crane et al (2013), page 75).
Bibliography list
Crane, A., Matten, D., and Spence, L. (2013), Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings
and Cases in a Global Context, London: Routledge
In-essay citing and bibliography list MUST match. It is bad practice having “bloated”
bibliography lists, including authors that are not mentioned in the text. Marks will be
discounted if this happens. You will not get a first class mark if your referencing is
weak (limited sources, a mismatch between in-essay citing and bibliography list,
paragraphs without sources cited).
SHOW KNOWLEDGE OF LECTURES AND COURSE READINGS
Showing knowledge of the lectures and course readings is essential to pass. For a first-class
mark, this knowledge should be distinctly more than just descriptive (i.e. just citing
the lectures or parts of a reading). You need to go further and use your knowledge of
the literature to build informed arguments and analyze the issues raised by the essay
question. Readings will provide you with theories, concepts, arguments, findings, and
lessons from history. You need to analyze them and use them to organize your
discussion. On the other hand, showing knowledge of lectures and readings does not
mean that you cannot have a skeptical attitude towards them. Do not be afraid to
disagree or challenge the perspective of the readings, but be prepared to support your
ideas with informed arguments.
EVIDENCE, EXAMPLES, FIGURES: “To be convincing any academic argument must
be an informed argument. This does not mean that you have to cram every fact and
figure that you have acquired from your reading into the body of your essay. It does
mean, however, that you need to support you major claims and arguments by showing
the reader the evidence upon which they are based. Much of this evidence may be open
to several interpretations, so you should try to demonstrate why the particular
argument you are making is preferable to other interpretations. … Usually, one or two
good examples will suffice to demonstrate a generally accepted point of view, but a
more contentious argument will require a more detailed explanation and substantiation.”
(Essay writing and referencing guide, School of Management, 2015-2016 page 5).
BE ANALYTICAL: Do not rely on one source. Compare and contrast perspectives. Do
not build a strategy based only on what your company says in its reports. Look at the
information provided by the company about CSR critically. Look for gaps and
weaknesses using concepts from the course readings and academic literature. Use
other companies as benchmarking. “The more dependent you are on one source … the
more likely you are to simply replicate the ideas those authors offer. … The further you
advance through your degree programme the more widely and deeply you will have to
read in order to address the issues raised in assignments.” (Essay writing and
referencing guide, School of Management, 2015-2016, page 7).
BE RELEVANT: “The relevance of your essay will be dictated … by your ability to
interpret the set question … properly. … Stick rigorously to the question, answer it
clearly and incisively” (Essay writing and referencing guide, 2015-2016, p. 4)
WARY USE OF INTERNET SOURCES: “You should note that there is virtually no
quality control over what appears on the Web. There are obvious exceptions – such as
websites established by authoritative institutions (e.g. The Economist; World Bank) but
in general, you should think hard before relying on information from the web. Where do
you make use of such sources, you must give full referencing details including the date
you accessed the site” (Essay writing and referencing guide, School of Management,
2015-2016, page 7).
Avoid Wikipedia definitions!
STRUCTURE
Introductions
DON’T answer the question in your introduction
DO explain what you understand by the key terms. (use the literature/ avoid dictionary
definitions)
DO explain the outline of your essay
DO explain what material you are going to discuss
DO explain what material you are going to leave out and why
Body
DO reference course material and readings
DO analyze contrasting points of view in a debate
DO take an informed position in the discussion. (For, against or middle ground –yes,
but…)
DO provide general summary information about your company and what the company
does in terms of CSR
DO discuss strengths and weaknesses of current CSR strategy.
Focus on weaknesses and gaps, since this will allow you to showcase critical skills in
your recommendation. Even if you are making a case for a given position (i.e. the
company you are analyzing is very responsible and you could not find specific criticisms)
you need to show you know what type or criticisms can be made to your company from
a theoretical point of view, and what criticisms have been made in the media/ web or
other sources to the company. Similarly when you recommend a strategy (i.e., you
want to recommend the company to allocate investment according to Carroll’s
pyramid), you need to show awareness of weaknesses of such strategy mentioned in
the literature (E.g. According to Yakovleva and Vazquez-Brust, (2013) Carroll’s pyramid
does not work in poor countries and in general leads to underinvestment in
environmental responsibilities). So, to take into account critics, you add environment to
Carrol’s pyramid and recommend it only in developed countries.
DO explain why you take a position and make a recommendation
DO use examples
DO not just describe.
DON’T give unsupported opinions (i.e. I believe this is the best strategy, or I believe my
a company is great)
DO focus in answering the question
DON’T explain topics that are not required by the question.
DON’T rely on just one source. You need at least 6 academic sources to get a pass
mark.
Conclusions
DON’T introduce totally new material in your conclusion
DO briefly summarise the findings of your essay
DO attempt to provide a straight answer to the question based on these findings
DO point out questions for further discussion, which you had to leave unsolved.
ALL THE BEST!!!!
The library and on-line journals will help you to find additional information to fill gaps,
identify examples and build informed arguments. The cases and examples in the
course readings and those used in the workshops can be used to support discussions for
topics other than those developed in the workshop.

The individual report should propose a CSR strategy for the same company you have chosen
as a group. You are required to critically discuss the strengths and weaknesses of your
company’s existing CSR policy AND use concepts from CSR theories to support your
recommendation of changes in such policy. This report is neither a collective effort nor a
reflection on how your group work went.
The individual report should be up to 1,200 words, excluding references.

The company I have chosen is a company called DOW which is an American chemical company so can you please write the essay About the company called DOW and follow the assignment instructions throughout.

The last essay I have ordered from this website I Have failed it so can you please do it as best as you can as I really want to achieve 70% plus on this essay and please keep the word count on 1200 words nothing more or less, please.

Individual Report on CSR General Guidelines Sample Answer

Introduction

This paper sets out to evaluate DOW Chemical manufacturing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) strategy in the wake of best practices in a bid to rolling back the specters of a heating planet. The paper addresses two strategic recommendations for pioneering clean solar energy and clean water underpinned by water treatment technologies. Dow Chemical Company offers raw materials for virtually all industries, which makes the global giant part of the supply chain for numerous items. As of now, DOW has the technology that helps assess novel projects using various levels of sustainability such as social, economic, organizational, greenhouse emission, and water and resource proficiency (Boström, 2012). The organization supports sustainability education across the company and teamwork throughout an entire chain. At the moment, the company is committed to curtailing its activities from hampering the environment. The company has made it its business to ensure the corporate approach is incorporated, to highlight the fiscal, ecological and social variables relative to the enterprise’s activities. Proceeds are evaluated annually using a procedure that examines not just the footprint from fabricating the product, but the positive and adverse effects it portents along the value chain. The company realizes this objective by attempting to make the most of the prospects while curtailing the unintended outcomes.

Body

Company background

DOW is a US-based company that endeavors to create value using its diverse markets, a market-based portfolio of specialized chemical, plastics, agriscience, and start-of-the-art material. It deals with the provision of raw material for nearly all organizations, making it a global leader in the supply chain for a broad range of products. (Crane, Matten & Spence, 2013). The firm also offers a differentiated solution to meet the growing demands of clients through collaboration with customers, and sector leaders in R&D expertise. This is made possible by a vibrant team of workers comprising of experts and scientists to address pressing challenges across the world,  increase the quality of life for and the creation of the firm’s sustainability, clients, and shareholders.  As the largest chemical firm across the world, the organization is actively involved in public policy. The organization mission and vision are all about the relentless focus on excellence, creativity and sustainable performance (Wahba, 2008). While Dow has a culture that integrates CSR and market-centered science, its operations are guided by conducting operations and responding to the concerns of the public.  With respect to CRS, DOW engages in the development and investment in solar energy as well as a water treatment technology. In fact, the company’s senior executives indicate that there is about one-hundred percent overlap between DOW’s business practices and its CRS. Initially, Dow’s objective highlighted the need to reduce CO2 footprints and changed to handprints, by responding to the environment and social issues (SAI, 2014). For instance, the company partnered with Unilever to make quality and affordable soap for increasing personal hygiene and prevention of the spread of infectious illnesses. As a leading chemical company, Dow has implemented necessary steps to improve its environmental profile, by becoming not only efficient but also reducing the wastages. The company has taken necessary steps of sustainability objectives that will not merely reduce its effects rather promote environmentally friendly practices. The firm’s CSR is pegged in some objectives including reducing costs; raise the costs of rivals; risk reduction; redefining goods and services to clients; employee participation; value nature; and extra benefits from differentiation (Potts et al. 2014).  All these objectives purpose to increase the lives of approximately 1bn while delivering approximately USD 1bn in cost reduction and new cash flow. In fact, Dow concentrates on using its technology and science and dedicating efforts to find innovative techniques of operations to assist organizations collectively change their goal in the community. These are impressive objectives; Dow joins a few firms that have implemented objectives on the impacts of their products on the environment (Voegtlin & Pless, 2014).

Strength and weakness

The current strength of the firm’s CRS IS associated with the development and investment in water treatments technology and solar energy imply that the degrees of the company’s dedication to environmental protection and proactive commitments have been made. Such a strategy should not be centered on this idea rather in favor of the dynamic approach. However, the water treatment technologies greatly affected Dow’s reputation. For example, the company did not take responsibility following gas leaks that contributed to the death of thousands of individuals at a chemical plant in India. Additionally, the company has repeatedly, contaminated water next to its headquarters in Michigan.                                                                             Moreover, strength is Dow’s culture of constant improvement as well as likelihood a cost-saving technology. Workers and senior management are excited about the company’s dedication to environmental sustainability. DOW has developed and invested in water treatment and solar, which facilitate the execution of the approach. This is the best strategy for Dow because it would increase environmental awareness remarkably allowing the organization to benefits compared to its clients. DOW also has the strength of focusing on OECD nations, where environmental sustainability is highly recognized in comparison to non-OECD countries.  When it comes to weaknesses, DOW is an intensive chemical organization, which totally contradicts environmental protection strategy. In addition, inadequate slack time hinders the adoption of the policy (Vallance, Perkins & Dixon, 2011).                                                                                         Nevertheless, this would lead to environmental damage from DOW’s operations would adversely affect the company’s environmental recognition if this approach is chosen. If Dow’s rivals try to imitate this strategy, its benefits would considerably decline. While the company’s attempts to lobby for strict environmental laws, such an effort could contribute to the reduction of its operations. Because developing economies are increasingly engaging in businesses, environmental awareness of DOW’s stakeholders may decrease as awareness is remarkably low in such economies (Dyllick & Hockerts, 2002).

Individual Report on CSR General Guidelines Recommendations

Dow should implement a pioneering strategy, which involves investments and development of solar power as well as water treatment technologies. This is to say; the organization has to choose a strategy on how to get environmental benefits from it. This is related to different fundamental strategies. For example, reducing costs; raise the costs of rivals; risk reduction; redefine goods and services to clients, and get extra benefits from differentiation. Much as these strategies can be integrated, increasing the costs of rivals and getting additional benefits from differentiation cannot be incorporated. There the remaining three are appropriate. Regarding competitor price and differentiation strategy, the latter is recommended. As such, the strategy will purpose to contribute to the reduction of expenses from the firm’s operations, minimize risks while redefining product and argument rivals’ costs. In this scenario, redefining product implies that clients do not necessarily have to purchase conventional sources of energy, instead use renewable energy such as solar. With regards to increasing rivals ‘cost strategy. Nevertheless, this requires huge investment as stipulated by Caroll’s pyramid. But as Weber (2008) alleges, this pyramid is not feasible in developing nations and contributes to underinvestment in environmental issues. Therefore, to put into consideration critics, environmental aspects can be integrated into the pyramid and applicable in developed nations. Refining product, in this case, means redefining solar clients’ expectations by offering them other alternative sources of energy (UN, 2013). To increase rivals’ cost, Dow should lobby for stringent environmental standards. In this manner, rivals that have a different strategy get extra expenses of adherence Dow would receive. Nonetheless, competitors may transfer the cost to clients while enabling Dow to increase its costs or get an extra market share.

Individual Report on CSR General Guidelines Conclusion

 The paper determined to evaluate the DOW chemical company CSR strategy. It started with an introduction and the organization’s background, the strength and weakness of the approach were also reviewed in line with how they impact the environment. In the end, recommendations were outlined.

Individual Report on CSR General Guidelines References

 Boström, M. (2012): A missing pillar? Challenges in theorizing and practicing social sustainability: Introduction to the special issue, Sustainability: Science, Practice, &            Policy, 8 (1), pp. 3-14.

 Crane, A., Matten, D., and Spence, L. (2013), Corporate Social Responsibility: Readings and                    Cases in a Global Context, London: Routledge

 Dyllick, T., Hockerts, K. (2002): Beyond the business case for corporate sustainability, Business strategy and the environment, 11 (2), pp. 130-141.

 Potts, J., Lynch, M., Wilkings, A., Huppe, G., Cunningham, M., Voora, V. (2014): The State of                Sustainability Initiatives Review 2014: Standards and the Green Economy, available at            https://www.fastinternational.org/files/The%20State%20of%20Sustainability%20Initiati   es%20Review%202014.pdf, accessed on 01 September 2015.

 SAI (2014): Social Accountability 8000 – International Standard, available at http://sa-            intl.org/_data/n_0001/resources/live/SA8000%20Standard%202014.pdf, accessed on 01   September 2015.

 UN (2013): Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS),      5th revised ed., available at http://www.unece.org           /fileadmin/DAM/trans/danger/publi/ghs/ghs_rev05/English/ST-SG-AC10-30-Rev5e.pdf,       accessed on 01 September 2015.

 Vallance, S., Perkins, H.C., Dixon, J.E. (2011): What is social sustainability? Clarification of concepts, Geoforum, 42 (3), p. 342-348.

 Voegtlin, C., Pless, N. M. (2014): Global governance: CSR and the role of the UN Global Compact, Journal of Business Ethics, 122 (2), pp. 179-191.

 Wahba, H. (2008): Exploring the moderating effect of financial performance on the relationship between corporate environmental responsibility and institutional investors: Some      Egyptian evidence, Corporate Social Responsibility, and Environmental Management, 15    (6), pp. 361-371.

 Weber, M. (2008): The business case for corporate social responsibility: A company-level measurement approach for CSR, European Management Journal, 26 (4), pp. 247-261.