assignment a - guidelines final-1
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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