10 - CSR and stakeholders Flashcards

1
Q

Is there an agreed definition of CSR?

A

No - I will use World Business Council for Sustainable Development

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

World Business Council for Sustainable Development definition of CSR

A

The continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and their families as well as of the local community and society at large

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What is meant by corporate citizenship?

A

Balancing financial needs of shareholders with societal needs of the state

Companies should act in the same way as citizens of the countries in which they operate; meet legal ethical and economic responsibilities expected of its citizens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

6 terms used to describe CSR

A
  • Corporate citizenship
  • Responsible business
  • Sustainable responsible business
  • Corporate social performance
  • Corporate moral responsibility
  • Corporate sustainability
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

2 ways in which sustainability (re. CSR) can be defined

A
  • Long-term survival of the organisation, by balancing requirements without compromising needs of future
  • Long-term survival of the planet - companies should develop strategy with considerations made not to have extremely negative effect on environment
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What does ESG stand for?

A

Environmental
Social
Governance

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

4 different sources of CSR (or motivating for companies to follow/implement CSR)

A
  • Organisations themselves
  • Governments
  • Bilateral organisations
  • Demands of investors & customers
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

5 reasons why organisations would focus on CSR (advantages of CSR)

A
  • To gain competitive advantage
  • To reduce risk
  • To attract financial and human capital
  • For innovation
  • For sustainability
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How can CSR be used to reduce risk (reputational mainly)

A

If a company is not taking CSR issues into account, and adjusting their operations and strategy to cater to them, they could face adverse publicity, customer backlash and in turn financial loss

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

How can CSR be used to attract human capital

A

Easier to attract and retain talented employees, especially millennials. These employees will likely be motivated to perform better

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

How can CSR be used for innovation

A

New services are brought to people without access previously (eg. mobile banking)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

How can CSR be used for sustainability (2)

A

Greater consideration of sourcing of resources and scarcity, and using these more efficiently and effectively

Link to reputational risk - reputational risk will damage the long term prospects of the company and by virtue its sustainability

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

How can CSR be used to obtain competitive advantage

A

By taking CSR issues seriously the company will become more attractive to customers in the industry, particularly the youth who take these issues seriously

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Example of using CSR be used to obtain competitive advantage

A

Cadbury committing to having all chocolate certified by Fairtrade

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Why would governments and bilateral orgs bring in laws and regulatory requirements re. CSR?

A

To protect the environment and improve the lives of its citizens

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Why would investors consider CSR when investing?

A
  • Recognise the impact a poor CSR record can have on reputation
  • They may only invest in companies which they consider moral
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

Explain ‘greenwashing’ re. CSR

A

Sceptics claim most orgs only become involved in CSR for improper motives - ie. enhanced reputation - and therefore engage in CSR as a form of superficial window-dressing

Another improper purpose may be to disguise/distract from unethical/practices they are involved in

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

3 linked consequences of a company falling foul to greenwashing with CSR, or not fulfilling their promises

A
  • Drop in trust/brand value
  • Loss of sales
  • Drop in the share price
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

Impact of millennials on CSR explained

A

As more millennials come into the work force, need for CSR as increasing, as millennials put more weight on need for CSR

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

4 categories of CSR

A
  • Philanthropy
  • Pet projects
  • Partnerships
  • Propaganda
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

Which category of CSR is of high benefit to society and high benefit to the organisation?

A

Partnerships

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
22
Q

Which category of CSR is of high benefit to society but low benefit to the organisation?

A

Philanthropy

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
23
Q

Which category of CSR is of low benefit to society but high benefit to the organisation?

A

Propaganda

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
24
Q

Which category of CSR is of low benefit to society and low benefit to the organisation?

A

Pet projects

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
25
Q

Examples of a ‘pet project’?

A

Sponsoring art exhibition, local sports club

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
26
Q

Why is philanthropy often not of much benefit to the organisation?

A

There is often little noise and fanfare

27
Q

Examples of propaganda in CSR

A

Sponsoring large sporting events, covering properties in advertising

28
Q

7 principles which a win-win CSR partnership should aim to follow

A
  • Identifying clear reasons to collaborate
  • Finding people totally committed to partnership
  • Set simple, credible goals
  • Get professional help (to assimilate partners)
  • Dedicate good people to the cause
  • Be flexible in defining success
  • Prepare to let go
29
Q

How is CSR linked to exec remuneration?

A

Some orgs are starting to include achieving certain status on CSR index as part of performance criteria in bonus and incentive schemes

30
Q

2 examples of CSR benchmarking incentives

A
  • FTSE4Good Indexes
  • Business in the Community (BITC) Responsible Business Tracker
31
Q

Define integrated thinking

A

The process of taking into consideration in a balanced way the effective and efficient utilisation of various capital resources when develop strategy or decision-making

32
Q

6 capitals that companies need to manage effectively and in an integrated way

A
  • Financial capital
  • Human capital
  • Manufactured capital
  • Intellectual capital
  • Natural capital
  • Social capital
33
Q

How is the silo effect related to integrated thinking?

A

CoSec should be watching out for different types of capital being managed separately

34
Q

Hoe can silo effect in integrated thinking be countered? (2)

A
  • CEO having regular senior management meetings
  • CoSec reading various proposals to obtain holistic view across all capitals are taken within proposals
35
Q

3 types of engagement with stakeholders

A

Reactively
Proactively
Interactively

36
Q

Explain reactive engagement with stakeholders

A

Engaging defensively in response to a crisis to rebuild its reputation

37
Q

Explain proactive engagement with stakeholders

A

Efforts by organisation to understand stakeholders concerns and issues - surveys/focus groups, running proposals by shareholders, involving stakeholders in decision-making

38
Q

Explain interactive engagement with stakeholders

A

Ensuring ongoing relationships of mutual respect, openness, and trust with stakeholders, through utilisation of ‘proactive’ channels

39
Q

One or a combination of which 3 methods should be used for engagement with the workforce

A
  • Director appointed to board from workforce
  • Formal workforce advisory panel
  • Designated NED
40
Q

5 elements of role of CoSec in stakeholder engagement

A
  • Explaining to the board the business case for stakeholder engagement
  • Assisting the board with stakeholder engagement
  • Advising board on reporting on stakeholder engagement
  • Advising board and/or management to opportunities and risks associated with stakeholder engagements
  • Advising board on setting up committee responsible for stakeholder issues
41
Q

5 ways that CoSec may assist board with stakeholder engagement

A
  • Identifying which shareholders have legitimate expectations and interests
  • Documenting concerns and issues of stakeholders
  • Convening shareholder forums
  • Inviting key stakeholder reps to address board meetings
  • Discussing and approving KPIs
42
Q

5 types of CSR issues and activities

A
  • Environmental
  • Community
  • Employees
  • Ethics
  • Suppliers
43
Q

Explain environmental - CSR issue/activity

A

Impact of business on environment, including carbon footprint, energy efficiency, approach to plastic and approach to waste

44
Q

Explain community - CSR issue/activity

A

Developing relationships with, and supporting the local community

45
Q

Explain employees - CSR issue/activity

A

Considering its approach to employee well-being and employee protecting, and approach to diversity and inclusivity

46
Q

Explain ethics - CSR issue/activity

A

Considering whether it should adopt a code of ethics, and whether it has the right ethical approach to business practices

47
Q

Explain suppliers - CSR issue/activity

A

The checks a company imposes on its suppliers, to ensure they are aligned with the company’s own ethics and do not engage in bad practices

48
Q

Most important CSR initiative that could be referenced in exam

A

17 goals to transform our world - UN sustainable development

49
Q

2 of the 17 goals to transform our world - UN sustainable development that could be referenced in exam

A

Gender equality
Climate action

50
Q

How might a company proactively and interactively engage with customers?

A
  • Meet regularly with representatives of disgruntled customers
  • Ask customers to complete surveys
  • Setting up customer focus groups
51
Q

How might a company proactively and interactively engage with suppliers?

A

Meet regularly with key suppliers

52
Q

3 elements of role of CoSec in engagement with shareholders

A
  • Assisting board with shareholder engagement
  • Advising board on reporting on shareholder engagement
  • Advising board on setting up a committee responsible for stakeholder issues
53
Q

How would cosec assist board with stakeholder engagement (2)

A

Support board by producing analysis identifying stakeholders with legitimate expectations and interests in XYZ

Convene stakeholder forums or arrange for key stakeholders to speak directly to the board

54
Q

How would CoSec advise board on reporting on stakeholder engagement?

A

CoSec is a key advisor to the board on reporting to specific stakeholder groups, such as through the annual report.

55
Q

How would advise board on setting up committee responsible for stakeholder issues? (3)

A

CoSec should advise board on whether a specific committee should be established to deal with stakeholder issues.

Should consist of a majority of board members but also management.

Should function similarly to other board committees

56
Q

Look at Code - what are the relevant principles / provisions in relation to stakeholder engagement?

A

Principle D
Provision 5

57
Q

Look at Code - what are the 3 primary methods of engagement with the workforce?

A
  • a director appointed from the workforce;
  • a formal workforce advisory panel;
  • a designated non-executive director.
58
Q

Look at Wates Principles - what is the key principle in relation to stakeholder engagement

A

Principle 6

59
Q

How will dialogue with shareholders benefit large private companies?

A

Boards will understand the effects of company policy and practices, and can predict future developments and trends and re-align strategy accordingly.

Boards can prioritise certain stakeholder relationships which are particularly relevant to the future success of the company

60
Q

What is the most significant legislation within CA2006 relating to stakeholder engagement? and why? (2)

A

S.172.

It states that directors must take into account a company’s key stakeholders in order to perform their duty to promote the success of the company.

Large Private companies must report on how regard was had to matters set out in S.172 under Companies (Miscellaneous Reporting) Regulations 2018.

61
Q

What is S.172 of CA2006

A

Directors have a duty to promote the success of the company, having regard to:
(a) the likely consequences of any decision in the long term,
(b) the interests of the company’s employees,
(c) the need to foster the company’s business relationships with suppliers, customers and others,
(d) the impact of the company’s operations on the community and the environment,
(e) the desirability of the company maintaining a reputation for high standards of business conduct, and
(f) the need to act fairly as between members of the company.

62
Q

2 annual report disclosure requirements re. stakeholder engagement

A
  • Strategic report - purpose being to help members assess how directors have performed S172 duty (with regard to S172(1) factors
  • Directors’ report - explain how board has engaged with shareholders, how directors have had regard to employees’ interests, and the effect of that regard
63
Q

Why would a company voluntarily include information on CSR matters in reporting

A
  • To further enhance the benefits of engaging in the CSR activities in the first place - greater exposure of CSR activities means more publicity and awareness of it
  • So that it is better placed to meet requirements for mandatory reporting which one would expect to be brought in at some stage
  • In order to ‘greenwash’ (consider this is something to avoid when reporting as allegations can be very damaging - reporting cannot be inaccurate or over promising)