3I - CSR in operations

Question 1

Corporate social responsibility (CSR)

Answer 1

Is the ethical conduct of a business beyond legal obligations, and the consideration of social, economic, and environmental impacts when making business decisions

Question 2

CSR considerations for inputs

Answer 2

• sourcing inputs locally
• sourcing inputs from suppliers that use environmentally-sustainable methods when extracting and harvesting natural resources
• implementing operation strategies, to reduce the risk of over-ordering inputs
• purchasing energy-efficient machinery for production
• installing reusable, renewable, and/or clean energy sources

Question 3

CSR considerations for processes

Answer 3

• using technology that performs tasks in a precise and consistent manner to reduce the amount of defective products discarded in production
• developing methods to capture and recycle unused or excess materials
• implementing operations strategies, to reduce the number of materials being unnecessarily wasted
• disposing of any harmful wast in a responsible and safe manner
• developing policies that promote efficient energy use
• training employees on how to minimise waste

Question 4

CSR considerations for outputs

Answer 4

• developing an alternative product that is more environmentally friendly
• creating products that have recyclable or biodegradable elements
• eliminating as much plastic as possible
• Delivering products to retailers in bulk to reduce carbon emissions from transport
• offering customers incentives for returning the product at the end of its life cycle
• providing clear labelling on the product about methods of disposal