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  • 7/29/2019 Assignment a - Guidelines FINAL-1

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    BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

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    ASSIGNMENT A BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL

    EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS

    OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

    The object of this assignment is to develop your critical awareness of academic discourse

    around the topic of social and environmental performance. You will begin this assignment

    by gathering data on performance from a corporate and then stakeholder perspective. Youare free to choose a topic to develop further in a full review of literature. In developing your

    review you will be expected to demonstrate the following:

    Ability to distinguish major themes in the discourse on social and environmentalperformance

    Selection of appropriate concepts and theories related to the topic with clear abilityto integrate this academic thinking with examples in practice

    Well-structured, argued review of the field with critical assessment of challengesand opportunities

    Clearly communicated recommendations for improving evaluation in practiceYour final essay should include:

    Clear introduction to the specific topic being addressed and why it is important A critical review of the literature demonstrating an ability to discern appropriate

    material

    Clear identification of the challenges, differences of opinion, and deficiencies in theacademic coverage

    A conclusion which builds on both your literature review and your experience ofevaluating corporates in practice which leads to practical recommendations for thecomprehensive evaluation of corporate performance

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    ASSIGNMENT A: LEARNING ACTIVITIES

    In approaching this assignment there will be a number of activities that help to develop your

    report and provide formative feedback to help you to clearly demonstrate the outcomes

    expected. To get the best out of these activities you will be expected to arrive to class fully

    prepared and to actively participate in sessions. For this assignment:

    Individual: Gather reported social and environmental strategies of eight companies Group: Evaluate stakeholder perspectives on a firm in food and drink industry Individual: Nominate a topic for research Group: Review selected paper on social and environmental performance - identify

    key themes and challenges

    Individual: Conduct a literature review around your chosen theme Group: Make a proposition around social and environmental performance and test

    this against the data you have gathered as a cohort Cohort: Discuss lessons learned and identify challenges Individual: Complete literature review and identity key learning points

    ASSIGNMENT A.1 GATHER DATA ON SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES

    COMPLETE DATA TEMPLATE BY 29th

    October 2012

    You have each been assigned a number of UK firms to review. On Moodle you will find each

    firms Annual Report for the year 2011. You will also find a link to answer questions about

    the firm and its strategies towards social and environmental stakeholders. Your first task will

    be to gather data on your firms and record this information in a template that you will have

    been provided.

    https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SocEnvPerform

    ASSIGNMENT A.2 TOPIC NOMINATION

    NOMINATE TOPIC BY 5th

    November 2012

    This is to allow you to develop your ideas and to receive feedback on your nominated topic.

    From your experience of gathering data provide a short 250-350 words memo on the

    challenges and opportunities for evaluating social and environmental performance of

    corporates in practice.

    Developing from your discussion, nominate a more detailed and specific topic for further

    review from academic literature. Identify two-three key references that may be useful to

    your final report.

    A template for your submission is provided at the end of these guidelines, you must post

    your nomination to Moodle and you will receive brief formative feedback.

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    ASSIGNMENT A.3 FINAL REPORT

    FINAL REPORT BY 10th

    December 2012

    References and an example on producing a critical literature review are provided on Moodle

    and you are strongly recommended to read these carefully.

    You are required to submit both physical and electronic copies of all assignments for this

    module. These should be printed on two-sided A4 paper and single stapled top left hand

    corner, do not use plastic covers. Essays must be handed to MSc Office by the required

    deadline and an electronic copy must also be uploaded to Moodle for plagiarism detection

    in Adobe pdf or Word docx format.

    Wordcount in range 1,750,2,000 Standard MSc Coursework coversheet with signature

    Title of essay Header on each page: BUCS ID ONLY) Footer on each page: Page number and total e.g. Page 2 of 5 12-point font with 1.5 x line spacing References in Harvard System All sources of information (e.g. websites) must be identified using foot or end notes Word-count must be included

    Penalties will be applied for failing to follow these guidelines and late submissions at any

    stage will be capped at a maximum of 40%, in accordance with University rules. Penalties

    will also be applied, if you fail to complete any of the stages of this assignment such as data

    gathering to the required standard.

    When submitting course work you must abide by guidelines in the Student Handbook for the

    School of Management on Cheating and Plagiarism and ensure that all material in this

    assignment is my/our own work, except where indicated with appropriate references

    Regulation 15.3(e). All coursework must be submitted electronically for plagiarism detection

    and a physical copy handed in to MSc Office that will be retained for external examiners.

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    ASSIGNMENT A: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

    Here are the general criteria that will be used to assess your literature review. This is for guidance

    only. Remember that a poorly written or structured essay can make it very hard to assess your level

    of learning.

    PotentialGrade

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    A.1 EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS

    You have been assigned 6 companies to evaluate using the criteria below. You must enter your

    evaluation on the website at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SocEnvPerform

    CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY OR SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

    Reporting of social and environmental performance 2011

    R01. Is there a specific section in the annual report related to corporate

    social responsibility, sustainability or related issues?

    Y D/K N

    R02. If so, what title(s) did the company use?

    R03. Are there any significant images or photographs that you feel are

    particularly important?

    Y D/K N

    R04. If so, describe the image in your own words?

    R05. Does the company mention government legislation, legal and/or

    liability reasons for producing this part of the annual report?

    Y D/K N

    R06. Does the company mention any reporting principles or guidelines they

    are following e.g. GRI, UNGC etc.

    Y D/K N

    R07. Does the company mention consultants or external parties used to

    produce, validate, or verify aspects of this section?

    Y D/K N

    CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

    CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY MISSION STATEMENT

    This section refers to any opening statement that identifies the corporate intentions or strategies

    towards societal and environmental stakeholders.

    Corporate Social Responsibility Statement 2011

    C01. Is there contentthat can be identified as a mission statement towards

    societal and environmental stakeholders?

    Y D/K N

    In this statement:

    C02. there is specific mention of the environment or natural worldY D/K N

    C03. there is specific concern for society or social issuesY D/K N

    C04. there is consideration for social and environmental concerns as part

    of

    normal commercial activities

    Y D/K N

    C05. there is explicit mention of parties other than shareholdersY D/K N

    C06. there is an intention to perform better than minimum legal

    requirements

    Y D/K N

    CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

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    SUSTAINABILITY OR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

    This section considers the environmental and sustainability disclosures of the firm.

    Environment and sustainability 2011

    E01. The firm has a dedicated manager responsible for sustainability or

    environmental management

    Y D/K N

    E03. The firm discusses stakeholders concern for environmental matters Y D/K N

    E04. The firm presents case studies or provides examples of products or

    interventions which improve environmental performance

    Y D/K N

    E05. There is explicit support for environmental management expressed by

    a senior company figure

    Y D/K N

    E06. The firm has a specific policy or strategy towards sustainability and the

    environment

    Y D/K N

    E14. The firm has targeted partnerships with environmental NGOs or

    agencies

    Y D/K N

    E16. The firm has adopted external standards EMAS, ISO14001 etc Y D/K NE02. The firm shows historical performance data and trends with targets or

    statistics

    Y D/K NMEASURE: What is the most prominent measure that the firm reports (if any)?

    CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dontt Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

    CORPORATE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS

    This section is to capture materials that are provided relating to community activities, donations,volunteering, or other community investments.

    CORPORATE DONATIONS 2011

    D03. The company makes information available concerning the needs in the

    community and the types of community investments made

    Y D/K N

    D05. There is explicit support for donations expressed by a senior company

    figure

    Y D/K N

    D06. There is evidence of a policy or standard for donations e.g. amount or

    percentage of profits

    Y D/K N

    D07. The company offers a matching incentive program in which the

    company makes a financial donation if matched by employee (GAYE)

    Y D/K N

    D14. The company has targeted partnerships with specific Community

    Groups/Charities

    Y D/K N

    D15. The company has identified specific themes or issues which it prefers

    to support e.g. education

    Y D/K N

    D02. The company shows evidence of recording data on donations through

    targets or statistics

    Y D/K N

    DONATION: How much has the company donated (if any)? Include both currency and amount.

    GBP/USD/EUR/Other:________AMOUNT: ____________________________________

    CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

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    EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERING 2011

    V01. The company has a formally staffed program with a dedicated contact

    point

    Y D/K N

    V02. The company shows evidence of recording data on volunteering levels

    through targets or statistics

    Y D/K N

    V04. The company recognizes employee volunteer contributions through

    articles, awards, and commendations

    Y D/K N

    V05. There is explicit support for volunteering expressed by a senior

    company figure

    Y D/K N

    V0608. There is evidence of a policy or standard for volunteers e.g. specific

    mention of time allocated for volunteering OR allowing flexibility in working

    schedules

    Y D/K N

    V07. The company offers a matching incentive program in which the

    company makes a financial donation to the volunteer cause

    Y D/K N

    V09. The company encourages volunteering by allowing release time or

    hours off work to participate

    Y D/K N

    V11. The company shows evidence of supporting individual employees

    pursuing personal volunteering activities

    Y D/K N

    V12. The company organizes group activities in which employees work

    together as a team on a volunteer project

    Y D/K N

    V13. The company encourages participation in volunteer projects that

    develop job related skills or benefit the company

    Y D/K N

    V14. The company has targeted partnerships with specific Community

    Groups/Charities

    Y D/K N

    V15. The company has identified specific themes or issues which it prefers to

    support e.g. education

    Y D/K N

    V10. The company explicitly states an allowance for volunteering time per

    employee

    Y D/K N

    VOLUNTEERING: If an allowance was stated how many days were allowed?

    DAYS PER EMPLOYEE: ____________________________________CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

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    MEMBERSHIPS AND ACCREDITATIONS

    MEMBERSHIP: For 2011, can you see evidence of membership or compliance with any standards or

    accreditation?

    MEMBERSHIP 2011

    AccountAbility Principles (AA1000) Y D/K N

    Business in the Community Y D/K N

    Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Y D/K N

    Carbon Trust Y D/K N

    Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC 2010) Y D/K N

    Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Companies (CERES) Y D/K N

    Environmental Reporting Standards (DEFRA) Y D/K N

    Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) Y D/K N

    ESA Eco Audit Y D/K N

    Global Reporting Initiative (GRI/G3) Y D/K N

    Investors in People Y D/K N

    Investors in the Environment Y D/K N

    ISO 9001 Y D/K NISO 14001 Y D/K NISO 26000 Y D/K NLondon Benchmark Group Y D/K NOECD MNE Guidelines Y D/K NSocial Accountability International (SA8000) Y D/K NUN Global Compact (UNGC) Y D/K NUN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) Y D/K NOTHER: If there are any other memberships or associations mentioned please specify.

    CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

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    OTHER COMMENTS

    Any other comments on the social and environmental performance of

    this firm2011

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    ASSIGNMENT A.2: TOPIC NOMINATION (ONE PAGE ONLY)

    From your experience of evaluating corporate strategies and stakeholder perspectives of what did you see as

    the main challenges and opportunities for evaluating social and environmental performance of corporates in

    practice? Write a brief memo of your observations (Maximum 350 words). Nominate a topic for further

    investigation and your main references.

    Remember this is a draft and to help you to develop your ideas only.

    NAME: BUCS EMAIL:

    The main challenges and opportunities for evaluating social and environmental corporate performance are:

    Wordcount ( XXX )

    What is the topic that you will focus on? (Keep brief 2-3 sentences only)

    What key references will you use Author, Date and Source/Journal? (2-3 only)

    STRICTLY ONE PAGE ONLY OF MINIMUM 10 POINT FONT