The natural environment as an integral part of the triple bottom line
- Authors: O'Carroll, Michael
- Date: 2009-02-05T07:15:43Z
- Subjects: Corporations , Business enterprises , Social responsibility of business , Green marketing , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8103 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2030
- Description: M.Sc. , Corporations are beginning to realize that they are members of the wider community and must therefore behave in an environmentally responsible fashion. This translates into corporations that believe that they must fulfill environmental objectives in conjunction with profit related objectives. The recognition that a corporation is embedded within its surrounding environment has profound implications for the way that its business operations are conducted. No longer are the actions taken within the corporation considered to be separate from the external environment, and no longer are events unfolding outside the corporation considered to have no impact on the internal structure and functioning of the company. According to this mode of thought, everything is linked and interconnected. In recognition, smart corporations have initiated social, economic and environmental practices (Anon, 2002a) and incorporated these three components in to the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). The Triple Bottom Line was designed to promote the objectives of sustainable development (Elkington, 2003) by considering a holistic approach to business. Because sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity, organisations that aim for sustainability need to perform not against a single, financial bottom line but against the triple bottom line i.e. economy, society and the environment. It is also true that a corporation, which is not socially or environmentally sustainable in the long term, is unlikely to be financially sustainable in the long term (Elkington, 2003). The main aim of this study is to investigate how the natural environment can play an integral role in the implementation of the TBL. Five main issues relevant to the TBL are investigated in the problem statement, to determine how the environment can possibly form an integral part of the TBL and thus justify the implementation of the TBL in a corporation’s business strategy. Each main issue is then broken down into a number of specific support questions for analysis. The 16 support questions were then individually analysed to determine whether or not the environment could in fact play an integral role in the implementation of the TBL. The five main issues of investigation and the 16 sub-questions showed that the environment could play an integral role in the implementation of the TBL in any corporation.
- Full Text:
- Authors: O'Carroll, Michael
- Date: 2009-02-05T07:15:43Z
- Subjects: Corporations , Business enterprises , Social responsibility of business , Green marketing , Sustainable development
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:8103 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2030
- Description: M.Sc. , Corporations are beginning to realize that they are members of the wider community and must therefore behave in an environmentally responsible fashion. This translates into corporations that believe that they must fulfill environmental objectives in conjunction with profit related objectives. The recognition that a corporation is embedded within its surrounding environment has profound implications for the way that its business operations are conducted. No longer are the actions taken within the corporation considered to be separate from the external environment, and no longer are events unfolding outside the corporation considered to have no impact on the internal structure and functioning of the company. According to this mode of thought, everything is linked and interconnected. In recognition, smart corporations have initiated social, economic and environmental practices (Anon, 2002a) and incorporated these three components in to the Triple Bottom Line (TBL). The Triple Bottom Line was designed to promote the objectives of sustainable development (Elkington, 2003) by considering a holistic approach to business. Because sustainable development involves the simultaneous pursuit of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social equity, organisations that aim for sustainability need to perform not against a single, financial bottom line but against the triple bottom line i.e. economy, society and the environment. It is also true that a corporation, which is not socially or environmentally sustainable in the long term, is unlikely to be financially sustainable in the long term (Elkington, 2003). The main aim of this study is to investigate how the natural environment can play an integral role in the implementation of the TBL. Five main issues relevant to the TBL are investigated in the problem statement, to determine how the environment can possibly form an integral part of the TBL and thus justify the implementation of the TBL in a corporation’s business strategy. Each main issue is then broken down into a number of specific support questions for analysis. The 16 support questions were then individually analysed to determine whether or not the environment could in fact play an integral role in the implementation of the TBL. The five main issues of investigation and the 16 sub-questions showed that the environment could play an integral role in the implementation of the TBL in any corporation.
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The conformance of companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange social responsibility index to the best practices in board composition
- Authors: Fokazi, Sipho Mcnicollin
- Date: 2011-10-11T08:58:57Z
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Johannesburg Securities Exchange , JSE Securities Exchange South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7253 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3906
- Description: M.Comm. , The study assessed the conformance of the companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange Social Responsibility Index to the best practices regarding the composition of the board and its committees. The board of directors is regarded as an effective mechanism in solving the agency problem that is caused by the separation of control and ownership. The composition of the board and its committees, particularly the strong presence of independent non-executive directors, enable the board to effectively monitor the actions of executive management which minimise the occurrence of fraud and corporate failures. Companies that subscribe to good corporate governance practices which includes the composition of the board and its committees are regarded highly by investors. The study assessed the extent to which the companies listed on the JSE SRI index conformed to the corporate governance best practices. The sample consists of the constituents of the JSE SRI Index. The study found that not all companies are conformed to the corporate governance best practices regarding the composition of the board and its committees.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Fokazi, Sipho Mcnicollin
- Date: 2011-10-11T08:58:57Z
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Johannesburg Securities Exchange , JSE Securities Exchange South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7253 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3906
- Description: M.Comm. , The study assessed the conformance of the companies listed on the Johannesburg Securities Exchange Social Responsibility Index to the best practices regarding the composition of the board and its committees. The board of directors is regarded as an effective mechanism in solving the agency problem that is caused by the separation of control and ownership. The composition of the board and its committees, particularly the strong presence of independent non-executive directors, enable the board to effectively monitor the actions of executive management which minimise the occurrence of fraud and corporate failures. Companies that subscribe to good corporate governance practices which includes the composition of the board and its committees are regarded highly by investors. The study assessed the extent to which the companies listed on the JSE SRI index conformed to the corporate governance best practices. The sample consists of the constituents of the JSE SRI Index. The study found that not all companies are conformed to the corporate governance best practices regarding the composition of the board and its committees.
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Environmental and social reporting as a tool for dialogue with stakeholders in the Highveld region
- Authors: Mboshane, Makoma Maureen
- Date: 2010-11-09T06:24:19Z
- Subjects: Industrial management , Corporate governance , Business communication , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/369839 , uj:6955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3464
- Description: M.Comm. , Challenges to businesses have become ever more complex and unpredictable in a fast changing and globalised world. Businesses continuously have to find ways to respond to pressing challenges that were not on the agenda in the past two decades. The traditional stakeholder base has broadened and includes diverse groups of interested parties inside and outside the boundaries of business. The business imperative is now the ability to balance the conflicting demands of its various stakeholders. Businesses are anxious to protect their reputation and to comply with legislation, however, growing stakeholder activism signals emerging gaps or barriers between organisational methods and stakeholder expectations. Broader stakeholder engagement and collaboration to find a win-win solution to these concerns, while valuing stakeholder relationships is key to unlocking value in today’s ramified network based economy. Businesses need to establish meaningful collaborative communication with stakeholders. The possibility to enter into dialogue and advocate greater transparency and information disclosure per stakeholder group is highly recommended. It is also recommended that business consider a shift from stakeholder management to stakeholder collaboration practices.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mboshane, Makoma Maureen
- Date: 2010-11-09T06:24:19Z
- Subjects: Industrial management , Corporate governance , Business communication , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/369839 , uj:6955 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3464
- Description: M.Comm. , Challenges to businesses have become ever more complex and unpredictable in a fast changing and globalised world. Businesses continuously have to find ways to respond to pressing challenges that were not on the agenda in the past two decades. The traditional stakeholder base has broadened and includes diverse groups of interested parties inside and outside the boundaries of business. The business imperative is now the ability to balance the conflicting demands of its various stakeholders. Businesses are anxious to protect their reputation and to comply with legislation, however, growing stakeholder activism signals emerging gaps or barriers between organisational methods and stakeholder expectations. Broader stakeholder engagement and collaboration to find a win-win solution to these concerns, while valuing stakeholder relationships is key to unlocking value in today’s ramified network based economy. Businesses need to establish meaningful collaborative communication with stakeholders. The possibility to enter into dialogue and advocate greater transparency and information disclosure per stakeholder group is highly recommended. It is also recommended that business consider a shift from stakeholder management to stakeholder collaboration practices.
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The process of cause related marketing : a case study using Nedbank's Green Affinity Programme
- Authors: E'Silva, Bronwyn
- Date: 2012-02-28
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Social marketing , Nedbank’s Green Affinity Programme
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4445
- Description: M.A. , The shift from the Old to the New Economy has developed due to four key trends, namely globalisation, consumerism, environmentalism and corporate governance. Globalisation and the Internet has resulted in consumers being able to track the behaviour of corporations (Vise, 2006:119) and consequently, a New Consumer has emerged, where emphasis on corporate transparency and the environment has become a key concern for these New Consumers, as New Consumes are characterised by Lewis and Bridger (2000:21) as independent, sophisticated, involved and well informed about the production of goods and services, where these New Consumers are feeling the pressure to confront and act upon the fact that unbridled production and consumption, which was proliferate in the Old Economy, comes with escalating pollution at a significant human/animal/earth cost (Trendwatching, 2007). Moreover, in the world of globalisation and information overload, Salzer-Mörling and Strannegård (2004:224) argue that the proliferation of brands as well as a cluttered marketplace has meant that corporations now need to not only be differentiated in the marketplace, but also be distinct and one of the ways which corporations in the New Economy are achieving this is by focusing on the corporate brand as the point of differentiation. Hence, by ensuring that the corporate brand is socially responsible, companies are able to use this to stand out from the competition. However, in order to truly become distinct within the marketplace, companies are using a strategy of corporate social responsibility referred to as Cause Related Marketing, which Business in the Community (2004:2) defines as a commercial activity by which businesses and charities or causes form a partnership with each other to market an image, product or service for mutual benefit. Cause Related Marketing thus has the added benefit of creating a win-win-win situation, implying a win for the business, a win for the cause and a win for the consumer (Adkins, 2005:6,101). In addition, the context of symbolic interactionism has been selected as a theoretical base of communication for the process of Cause Related Marketing, whereupon symbolic interactionism relates to the shift from the old to the New Consumer and the resultant implications of the New Economy, as Mead (1962:168) notes that as a rule people assume that the general voice of the community is identical with the larger community of the past and the future and society assumes that an organised custom represents morality, so that the things people cannot do are those that everybody would condemn, which correlates with corporations not being able to pollute the environment and behave in an unethical manner. Consequently, so as to ensure that the corporation creates a successful Cause Related Marketing partnership, it is important that the process of Cause Related Marketing is implemented appropriately. The three key constructs of the process of Cause Related Marketing that have been identified include finding a strategic fit, communicating the partnership and properly assessing the Cause Related Marketing campaign. One company that has created a successful Cause Related Marketing partnership is Nedbank, a South African bank that launched the Green Affinity programme, in partnership with WWF-SA, almost 20 years ago, long before environmentalism, transparency and Cause Related Marketing became corporate buzzwords. Hence, Nedbank has been utilised as an intrinsic case study in order to determine how the process of Cause Related Marketing is utilised by Nedbank’s Green Affinity programme according to a selected group of employees at Nedbank’s Group Marketing department in Sandton. Keywords: New Economy, New Consumer, environmentalism, globalisation, transparency, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, distinction, Cause Related Marketing, process, symbolic interactionism.
- Full Text:
- Authors: E'Silva, Bronwyn
- Date: 2012-02-28
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Social marketing , Nedbank’s Green Affinity Programme
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:2100 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4445
- Description: M.A. , The shift from the Old to the New Economy has developed due to four key trends, namely globalisation, consumerism, environmentalism and corporate governance. Globalisation and the Internet has resulted in consumers being able to track the behaviour of corporations (Vise, 2006:119) and consequently, a New Consumer has emerged, where emphasis on corporate transparency and the environment has become a key concern for these New Consumers, as New Consumes are characterised by Lewis and Bridger (2000:21) as independent, sophisticated, involved and well informed about the production of goods and services, where these New Consumers are feeling the pressure to confront and act upon the fact that unbridled production and consumption, which was proliferate in the Old Economy, comes with escalating pollution at a significant human/animal/earth cost (Trendwatching, 2007). Moreover, in the world of globalisation and information overload, Salzer-Mörling and Strannegård (2004:224) argue that the proliferation of brands as well as a cluttered marketplace has meant that corporations now need to not only be differentiated in the marketplace, but also be distinct and one of the ways which corporations in the New Economy are achieving this is by focusing on the corporate brand as the point of differentiation. Hence, by ensuring that the corporate brand is socially responsible, companies are able to use this to stand out from the competition. However, in order to truly become distinct within the marketplace, companies are using a strategy of corporate social responsibility referred to as Cause Related Marketing, which Business in the Community (2004:2) defines as a commercial activity by which businesses and charities or causes form a partnership with each other to market an image, product or service for mutual benefit. Cause Related Marketing thus has the added benefit of creating a win-win-win situation, implying a win for the business, a win for the cause and a win for the consumer (Adkins, 2005:6,101). In addition, the context of symbolic interactionism has been selected as a theoretical base of communication for the process of Cause Related Marketing, whereupon symbolic interactionism relates to the shift from the old to the New Consumer and the resultant implications of the New Economy, as Mead (1962:168) notes that as a rule people assume that the general voice of the community is identical with the larger community of the past and the future and society assumes that an organised custom represents morality, so that the things people cannot do are those that everybody would condemn, which correlates with corporations not being able to pollute the environment and behave in an unethical manner. Consequently, so as to ensure that the corporation creates a successful Cause Related Marketing partnership, it is important that the process of Cause Related Marketing is implemented appropriately. The three key constructs of the process of Cause Related Marketing that have been identified include finding a strategic fit, communicating the partnership and properly assessing the Cause Related Marketing campaign. One company that has created a successful Cause Related Marketing partnership is Nedbank, a South African bank that launched the Green Affinity programme, in partnership with WWF-SA, almost 20 years ago, long before environmentalism, transparency and Cause Related Marketing became corporate buzzwords. Hence, Nedbank has been utilised as an intrinsic case study in order to determine how the process of Cause Related Marketing is utilised by Nedbank’s Green Affinity programme according to a selected group of employees at Nedbank’s Group Marketing department in Sandton. Keywords: New Economy, New Consumer, environmentalism, globalisation, transparency, corporate governance, corporate social responsibility, distinction, Cause Related Marketing, process, symbolic interactionism.
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A generic environmental awareness course framework for use by business
- Authors: Matthews, John
- Date: 2009-02-05T07:13:17Z
- Subjects: South African Qualifications Authority , Environmental education , Business enterprises , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:8088 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2017
- Description: M.A. , Environmental Awareness is important in the protection of the environment and for promoting further business activities. Failure to protect the environment results in the depletion of natural resources which would subsequently lead to environmental degradation. Business activities can be considered as a major contributor to environmental degradation as they involve the acquisition and exploitation of large quantities of the world’s natural resources. It is therefore essential that all members of staff in a business have the relevant knowledge and appropriate skills to protect themselves and the environment. This knowledge can only be obtained through environmental awareness training and training should take place on all staff levels. Because it is very important to train all staff in business methods, this training should be nationally recognised and be of a high standard. To ensure that such a training programme meets this requirement, it should be registered with the national qualifications registration authority, namely the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). All SAQA-registered training programmes and unit standards have nationally accepted standards. The main aim of this Mini dissertation is to determine whether or not a registered training programme specifically aimed at business in terms of the South African Qualifications Act on environmental awareness exists, and, if no registered training program is found, to design such a training program to meet this need. The importance of environmental awareness training cannot be over-emphasised. Changes in South African legislation, such as the inclusion of clauses to protect the environment as in Section 24 of the Constitution, as well as international pressure whereby customers and suppliers are required to conform to international environmental standards and environmental accounting practices, have made it important for businesses to train all their staff to be environmentally aware. The change in government in 1994 and the concomitant relaxation of sanctions, as well as the advent of the Internet, facilitating trade with other countries, has caused the world to become a “global village”. The business world has embraced technology with the result that communication is easier and relations between foreign countries have improved. Foreign customers now expect their suppliers in South Africa to comply with international environmental standards such as the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards. Recently, shareholders have started demanding that their companies report not only on their economic activities, but also on their associated environmental and social responsibilities. The importance of the so-called “Triple Bottom Line” (the environmental, social and economic elements responsibilities of business) is now being emphasised. In South Africa, stricter environmental laws such as The National Environmental Management Act (No.107 of 1998) and the proposed Pollution Prevention Bill, and their enforcement, have seen companies such as Thor Chemicals closed down because of their non-compliance with environmental legislation. The consequences of such constraints and other pressures have highlighted the increased need for business to train staff in environmental awareness. A registered training program has the advantage that the outcomes will conform to nationally accepted standards and that the learner will receive recognised credit for having completed the training programme successfully. Business will also be in a position to claim back part of the costs of training from its skills development levy.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Matthews, John
- Date: 2009-02-05T07:13:17Z
- Subjects: South African Qualifications Authority , Environmental education , Business enterprises , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:8088 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/2017
- Description: M.A. , Environmental Awareness is important in the protection of the environment and for promoting further business activities. Failure to protect the environment results in the depletion of natural resources which would subsequently lead to environmental degradation. Business activities can be considered as a major contributor to environmental degradation as they involve the acquisition and exploitation of large quantities of the world’s natural resources. It is therefore essential that all members of staff in a business have the relevant knowledge and appropriate skills to protect themselves and the environment. This knowledge can only be obtained through environmental awareness training and training should take place on all staff levels. Because it is very important to train all staff in business methods, this training should be nationally recognised and be of a high standard. To ensure that such a training programme meets this requirement, it should be registered with the national qualifications registration authority, namely the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA). All SAQA-registered training programmes and unit standards have nationally accepted standards. The main aim of this Mini dissertation is to determine whether or not a registered training programme specifically aimed at business in terms of the South African Qualifications Act on environmental awareness exists, and, if no registered training program is found, to design such a training program to meet this need. The importance of environmental awareness training cannot be over-emphasised. Changes in South African legislation, such as the inclusion of clauses to protect the environment as in Section 24 of the Constitution, as well as international pressure whereby customers and suppliers are required to conform to international environmental standards and environmental accounting practices, have made it important for businesses to train all their staff to be environmentally aware. The change in government in 1994 and the concomitant relaxation of sanctions, as well as the advent of the Internet, facilitating trade with other countries, has caused the world to become a “global village”. The business world has embraced technology with the result that communication is easier and relations between foreign countries have improved. Foreign customers now expect their suppliers in South Africa to comply with international environmental standards such as the ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 standards. Recently, shareholders have started demanding that their companies report not only on their economic activities, but also on their associated environmental and social responsibilities. The importance of the so-called “Triple Bottom Line” (the environmental, social and economic elements responsibilities of business) is now being emphasised. In South Africa, stricter environmental laws such as The National Environmental Management Act (No.107 of 1998) and the proposed Pollution Prevention Bill, and their enforcement, have seen companies such as Thor Chemicals closed down because of their non-compliance with environmental legislation. The consequences of such constraints and other pressures have highlighted the increased need for business to train staff in environmental awareness. A registered training program has the advantage that the outcomes will conform to nationally accepted standards and that the learner will receive recognised credit for having completed the training programme successfully. Business will also be in a position to claim back part of the costs of training from its skills development levy.
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A critical investigation of the utilisation of the active consumer stakeholder concept among South African brand leaders.
- Shapiro, Benjamin Joshua Nell
- Authors: Shapiro, Benjamin Joshua Nell
- Date: 2013-06-06
- Subjects: Business ethics , Branding (Marketing)--South Africa , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7579 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8446
- Description: M.A. (Marketing Communication) , In this study it is argued that the consumer has evolved and grown into a force that is no longer passive, taking the actions of its brands for granted. They ask questions, challenge and are inherently active, a state of being that is accelerated, facilitated and aided by the Internet and social media. This active stakeholder concept is operationally defined as the pressure exerted by informed consumers to hold brands and organisations responsible and accountable for the well-being of society and the environment, beyond the maximisation of profit, and to expect such entities to be responsive to and in dialogue with consumers as stakeholders of brands and organisations. It is questioned, at the same time, to what extent South African brand leaders have stayed current and informed with regard to this new breed of active consumer stakeholder, and whether Corporate Social Responsibility practices are not often used as a smokescreen to ‘greenwash’ actions. The study aimed to address the research problem by linking the key concepts of corporate social responsibility, stakeholder theory, normative stakeholder theory, corporate social responsiveness, stakeholder activism, stakeholder communication and accountability in an attempt to ascertain to what extent the active consumer stakeholder concept has taken root in strategic communication activities of 50 brand leaders in the country, and to develop a measuring instrument for brands to evaluate to what extent they are attuned to the active consumer stakeholder concept. The research methodology made use of reliability tests and cluster analyses, themes were established based on an extensive literature review. Ultimately, the tool was comprised of a series of Likert-type questions, a ranking question and three open-ended questions which added depth to the other elements of the tool. The findings indicate a lack of congruence, within the sphere of South African brand leaders, with regards to the notion of the active consumer stakeholder. However, they also suggest an assimilation, and move to congruence, through a connection between the nuances that exist at both ends of the stakeholder continuum i.e. shareholder theory and stakeholder theory. Doing good will ultimately be equated with making money.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Shapiro, Benjamin Joshua Nell
- Date: 2013-06-06
- Subjects: Business ethics , Branding (Marketing)--South Africa , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:7579 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8446
- Description: M.A. (Marketing Communication) , In this study it is argued that the consumer has evolved and grown into a force that is no longer passive, taking the actions of its brands for granted. They ask questions, challenge and are inherently active, a state of being that is accelerated, facilitated and aided by the Internet and social media. This active stakeholder concept is operationally defined as the pressure exerted by informed consumers to hold brands and organisations responsible and accountable for the well-being of society and the environment, beyond the maximisation of profit, and to expect such entities to be responsive to and in dialogue with consumers as stakeholders of brands and organisations. It is questioned, at the same time, to what extent South African brand leaders have stayed current and informed with regard to this new breed of active consumer stakeholder, and whether Corporate Social Responsibility practices are not often used as a smokescreen to ‘greenwash’ actions. The study aimed to address the research problem by linking the key concepts of corporate social responsibility, stakeholder theory, normative stakeholder theory, corporate social responsiveness, stakeholder activism, stakeholder communication and accountability in an attempt to ascertain to what extent the active consumer stakeholder concept has taken root in strategic communication activities of 50 brand leaders in the country, and to develop a measuring instrument for brands to evaluate to what extent they are attuned to the active consumer stakeholder concept. The research methodology made use of reliability tests and cluster analyses, themes were established based on an extensive literature review. Ultimately, the tool was comprised of a series of Likert-type questions, a ranking question and three open-ended questions which added depth to the other elements of the tool. The findings indicate a lack of congruence, within the sphere of South African brand leaders, with regards to the notion of the active consumer stakeholder. However, they also suggest an assimilation, and move to congruence, through a connection between the nuances that exist at both ends of the stakeholder continuum i.e. shareholder theory and stakeholder theory. Doing good will ultimately be equated with making money.
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Corporate social responsibility in multinational corporations : the realities of emerging markets
- Authors: Koffman-Xaba, Amanda Rentia
- Date: 2014-05-05
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Globalization - Economic aspects , International business enterprises
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10491
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , The financial downturn in developed economies has led to South Africa and the rest of Africa’s economies to become increasingly attractive to foreign investors. The establishment of operations in an emerging market poses various challenges for multinationals, one of which is implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effectively across all its subsidiaries. The objective of this study is to determine whether there are differences in expectations of CSR in a multinational organisation and CSR in its subsidiaries which operate in emerging markets. This will allow the multinational to assess whether its CSR strategy meets the expectations of all stakeholders. The study is focused on the financial services sector, specifically the banking industry. Through qualitative research methods, a case study research design approach was utilised to study CSR activities in a global bank and CSR experiences in its African subsidiaries. Data collected from research subjects through interviews was analysed using open, axial and selective coding procedures. The study concludes that there are definite gaps in CSR expectation between a multinational and its subsidiaries based in African emerging markets. Global CSR strategies may be applied consistently across a multinational’s subsidiaries, but failure to address core issues faced in an emerging market economy renders such strategies impractical.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Koffman-Xaba, Amanda Rentia
- Date: 2014-05-05
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Globalization - Economic aspects , International business enterprises
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:10917 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10491
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , The financial downturn in developed economies has led to South Africa and the rest of Africa’s economies to become increasingly attractive to foreign investors. The establishment of operations in an emerging market poses various challenges for multinationals, one of which is implementing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) effectively across all its subsidiaries. The objective of this study is to determine whether there are differences in expectations of CSR in a multinational organisation and CSR in its subsidiaries which operate in emerging markets. This will allow the multinational to assess whether its CSR strategy meets the expectations of all stakeholders. The study is focused on the financial services sector, specifically the banking industry. Through qualitative research methods, a case study research design approach was utilised to study CSR activities in a global bank and CSR experiences in its African subsidiaries. Data collected from research subjects through interviews was analysed using open, axial and selective coding procedures. The study concludes that there are definite gaps in CSR expectation between a multinational and its subsidiaries based in African emerging markets. Global CSR strategies may be applied consistently across a multinational’s subsidiaries, but failure to address core issues faced in an emerging market economy renders such strategies impractical.
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The work-life balance of journalists
- Authors: Thankge, Clarah Thandi
- Date: 2014-05-05
- Subjects: Work-life balance , Work and family , Social responsibility of business
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/389875 , uj:10921 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10495
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , South Africa is currently tackling more basic challenges such as poverty alleviation, job creation and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment issues, whereas developed countries are prioritising Work-Life Balance in an attempt to humanise the workplace. Globalisation, modern technology and lean business practices are challenging the old and familiar patterns of paid work while imposing new challenges on families, individuals and households. This contributes to long working hours, high stress levels, low energy, extended travel commitments, reduced healthy family meals and limited basic quality of personal and family lifestyle. Business benefits are observed in organisations that involve employees in identifying and implementing solutions that provide a workplace that inculcates a culture of work-life balance. The benefits for business include the ability to attract high calibre employees, staff retention, efficiency on the job (distractions), employee commitment, high morale and reduced absenteeism rate. The study investigates the perception and/or views of management and journalists on the work-life balance initiatives at BDFM (Pty) Ltd. The recommendation on how Wellness Strategy initiatives should be implemented to mitigate challenges faced by journalists in the media industry gives conclusion to the study. The attraction and retention of high calibre journalists at BDFM (Pty) Ltd will help reduce both the direct and indirect costs that the organisation incurs when there is an unplanned employee turnover. The direct costs pertain to the recruitment and training of new employees who will replace the previous incumbent and the costs of mistakes made during the settling in period. The indirect costs on the other hand relate to performance, the effect of increased stress and reduced job satisfaction.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Thankge, Clarah Thandi
- Date: 2014-05-05
- Subjects: Work-life balance , Work and family , Social responsibility of business
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/389875 , uj:10921 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/10495
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management) , South Africa is currently tackling more basic challenges such as poverty alleviation, job creation and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment issues, whereas developed countries are prioritising Work-Life Balance in an attempt to humanise the workplace. Globalisation, modern technology and lean business practices are challenging the old and familiar patterns of paid work while imposing new challenges on families, individuals and households. This contributes to long working hours, high stress levels, low energy, extended travel commitments, reduced healthy family meals and limited basic quality of personal and family lifestyle. Business benefits are observed in organisations that involve employees in identifying and implementing solutions that provide a workplace that inculcates a culture of work-life balance. The benefits for business include the ability to attract high calibre employees, staff retention, efficiency on the job (distractions), employee commitment, high morale and reduced absenteeism rate. The study investigates the perception and/or views of management and journalists on the work-life balance initiatives at BDFM (Pty) Ltd. The recommendation on how Wellness Strategy initiatives should be implemented to mitigate challenges faced by journalists in the media industry gives conclusion to the study. The attraction and retention of high calibre journalists at BDFM (Pty) Ltd will help reduce both the direct and indirect costs that the organisation incurs when there is an unplanned employee turnover. The direct costs pertain to the recruitment and training of new employees who will replace the previous incumbent and the costs of mistakes made during the settling in period. The indirect costs on the other hand relate to performance, the effect of increased stress and reduced job satisfaction.
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An analysis and assessment of integrated reporting disclosure : a millennials’ perspective
- Authors: Dama, Aziza
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Corporation reports , Sustainable development reports , Social responsibility of business , Corporate governance , Employees - Reporting to , Disclosure of information , Disclosure in accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295793 , uj:32218
- Description: Abstract: The general public, and in particular, the millennial generation a new generation of stakeholders is becoming more aware of environmental and social issues and are demanding greater social responsibility from companies. Millennials are interested in sustainability, environmental and social responsibility and corporate governance issues and they expect companies ‘to improve society’. Although there has been a recent shift to better sustainability and integrated reporting, it appears that the current reporting practices of companies may not meet the expectations of the millennial generation, seeing that millennials still have negative perceptions about companies. While sustainability and integrated reporting have been studied widely, very little assessment has been made of whether companies are providing sufficient disclosure that is relevant to millennials. The objective of this research is to analyse disclosures of sustainability, environmental and social responsibility practices and goals and corporate governance practices and the manner in which these disclosures were presented in order to assess whether adequate disclosure, relevant to millennials’ expectations of companies, has been provided. A qualitative research strategy was followed. A systematic, empirical review was conducted by means of a content analysis using a basic checklist. The most recent financial years’ integrated reports of the companies in the sample were examined, as well as their websites and social media accounts. The results indicate that there are areas for improvement in all the disclosure categories examined and that companies’ use of their websites and social media is inadequate to cater for millennials’ information requirements. Only approximately one third of the companies studied are expected to attract millennials as investors, consumers, or potential employees (i.e. both shareholders and stakeholders) and therefore integrated reporting disclosure needs to be improved in order to make companies more appealing to them. This study offers a new perspective on current integrated reporting practices and provides guidance on integrated reporting and the preparation of integrated reports going forward. , M.Com. (International Accounting)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Dama, Aziza
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Corporation reports , Sustainable development reports , Social responsibility of business , Corporate governance , Employees - Reporting to , Disclosure of information , Disclosure in accounting
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295793 , uj:32218
- Description: Abstract: The general public, and in particular, the millennial generation a new generation of stakeholders is becoming more aware of environmental and social issues and are demanding greater social responsibility from companies. Millennials are interested in sustainability, environmental and social responsibility and corporate governance issues and they expect companies ‘to improve society’. Although there has been a recent shift to better sustainability and integrated reporting, it appears that the current reporting practices of companies may not meet the expectations of the millennial generation, seeing that millennials still have negative perceptions about companies. While sustainability and integrated reporting have been studied widely, very little assessment has been made of whether companies are providing sufficient disclosure that is relevant to millennials. The objective of this research is to analyse disclosures of sustainability, environmental and social responsibility practices and goals and corporate governance practices and the manner in which these disclosures were presented in order to assess whether adequate disclosure, relevant to millennials’ expectations of companies, has been provided. A qualitative research strategy was followed. A systematic, empirical review was conducted by means of a content analysis using a basic checklist. The most recent financial years’ integrated reports of the companies in the sample were examined, as well as their websites and social media accounts. The results indicate that there are areas for improvement in all the disclosure categories examined and that companies’ use of their websites and social media is inadequate to cater for millennials’ information requirements. Only approximately one third of the companies studied are expected to attract millennials as investors, consumers, or potential employees (i.e. both shareholders and stakeholders) and therefore integrated reporting disclosure needs to be improved in order to make companies more appealing to them. This study offers a new perspective on current integrated reporting practices and provides guidance on integrated reporting and the preparation of integrated reports going forward. , M.Com. (International Accounting)
- Full Text:
David Bilchitz event - Human rights obligations of business
- Authors: Modise, Theodorah
- Date: 2015-01-13
- Subjects: Bilchitz, David , Human rights and globalization , Human rights advocacy , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Other
- Identifier: uj:1137 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13170
- Full Text: false
- Authors: Modise, Theodorah
- Date: 2015-01-13
- Subjects: Bilchitz, David , Human rights and globalization , Human rights advocacy , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Other
- Identifier: uj:1137 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13170
- Full Text: false
Enterprise development through business social responsibility : the case of mines in the Sol Plaatje Municipality
- Authors: Sithole, Phetole
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business - South Africa - Finance , Social responsibility of business , Mineral industries|zSouth Africa , Sol Plaatje Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374889 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283328 , uj:30554
- Description: M.Com. (Local Economic Development) , Abstract: The research explored enterprise development through business social responsibility, focusing on opportunities for the mining sector to contribute positively in growing the local economy of the hosting communities. Enterprise development and promotion are presently proceeding at a very slow pace, even though there are guidelines as to what should be done to accelerate development in the mining communities. A Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment model is available to assist local government, the mining industry and communities to pursue this initiative. Presently, local governments are faced with challenges as regulators. The Department of Mineral Resources often does not want to avail the social and labour plans submitted by mines, as these reports are still treated as very confidential documents, thus it makes it difficult for municipalities to engage with mines. Therefore, the municipalities have to depend on mines to provide them with a copy of the social and labour plans and sometimes some information is edited or removed by the mines with the municipality knowing about the changes. This research has shown a need for the development of a model that will assist in the acceleration of enterprise development in the local hosting communities. The research seeks to address the issues necessary for successful development of local small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) or suppliers through business social responsibility.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Sithole, Phetole
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Small business - South Africa - Finance , Social responsibility of business , Mineral industries|zSouth Africa , Sol Plaatje Municipality
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/374889 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/283328 , uj:30554
- Description: M.Com. (Local Economic Development) , Abstract: The research explored enterprise development through business social responsibility, focusing on opportunities for the mining sector to contribute positively in growing the local economy of the hosting communities. Enterprise development and promotion are presently proceeding at a very slow pace, even though there are guidelines as to what should be done to accelerate development in the mining communities. A Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment model is available to assist local government, the mining industry and communities to pursue this initiative. Presently, local governments are faced with challenges as regulators. The Department of Mineral Resources often does not want to avail the social and labour plans submitted by mines, as these reports are still treated as very confidential documents, thus it makes it difficult for municipalities to engage with mines. Therefore, the municipalities have to depend on mines to provide them with a copy of the social and labour plans and sometimes some information is edited or removed by the mines with the municipality knowing about the changes. This research has shown a need for the development of a model that will assist in the acceleration of enterprise development in the local hosting communities. The research seeks to address the issues necessary for successful development of local small, micro and medium-sized enterprises (SMMEs) or suppliers through business social responsibility.
- Full Text:
Determining the assumptions underlying Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) practice in the South African food retail sector
- Authors: Vos, Elrida Louise
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Corporate governance - South Africa , Food industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/294225 , uj:32007
- Description: Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the assumptions underlying CSR practice in the South African food retailer industry. To assist with determining the assumptions underlying CSR practice three retailers were selected as case studies. The methodology included a document study and interview with each retailer with specific focus on the food retailers CSR practices, whether CSR practice is aligned with organisational purpose and how CSR practice is measured. A review of available literature emphasised the importance of stakeholder theory with CSR practice. There was therefore emphasis on the relationships each food retailer had with its stakeholders as this also indicates the food retailers’ main approach to CSR practice. As also seen in the literature review, the contextual nature of CSR makes it difficult to define. This was evident in both the interviews and document studies as what is understood under the academic definition of CSR is labelled sustainability in practice. Further findings indicated that the consumer is the most important stakeholder to the food retailer industry. Furthermore, CSR practice is driven by brand and reputation management and the return on investment the perceptions of being a good corporate citizen generates for the food retailers. This leads to a tick-box or compliance-based approach of CSR practice and implementation. Despite these findings, it can be said from the qualitative data collected, that the study shows a textbook example of how corporate purpose frames CSR practice in the South African food retailer sector. The intangible nature of CSR makes it difficult to evaluate and can also influence CSR practice to be compliance-based as this makes it easier to measure. Further studies should be conducted to determine more appropriate ways in which to measure and evaluate CSR, these studies could include specific focus on the use of Social Return on Investment (SROI). Further studies could also help determine a more universally understood definition for CSR in the food retailer sector as well as various other industries. , M.A. (Strategic Communication)
- Full Text:
- Authors: Vos, Elrida Louise
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Corporate governance - South Africa , Food industry and trade
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/294225 , uj:32007
- Description: Abstract: The purpose of this study was to determine the assumptions underlying CSR practice in the South African food retailer industry. To assist with determining the assumptions underlying CSR practice three retailers were selected as case studies. The methodology included a document study and interview with each retailer with specific focus on the food retailers CSR practices, whether CSR practice is aligned with organisational purpose and how CSR practice is measured. A review of available literature emphasised the importance of stakeholder theory with CSR practice. There was therefore emphasis on the relationships each food retailer had with its stakeholders as this also indicates the food retailers’ main approach to CSR practice. As also seen in the literature review, the contextual nature of CSR makes it difficult to define. This was evident in both the interviews and document studies as what is understood under the academic definition of CSR is labelled sustainability in practice. Further findings indicated that the consumer is the most important stakeholder to the food retailer industry. Furthermore, CSR practice is driven by brand and reputation management and the return on investment the perceptions of being a good corporate citizen generates for the food retailers. This leads to a tick-box or compliance-based approach of CSR practice and implementation. Despite these findings, it can be said from the qualitative data collected, that the study shows a textbook example of how corporate purpose frames CSR practice in the South African food retailer sector. The intangible nature of CSR makes it difficult to evaluate and can also influence CSR practice to be compliance-based as this makes it easier to measure. Further studies should be conducted to determine more appropriate ways in which to measure and evaluate CSR, these studies could include specific focus on the use of Social Return on Investment (SROI). Further studies could also help determine a more universally understood definition for CSR in the food retailer sector as well as various other industries. , M.A. (Strategic Communication)
- Full Text:
Corporate social responsibility and post-employment
- Authors: Coetzee, James Frederick
- Date: 2011-11-21
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Unemployment , Downsizing of organizations , Labor laws and legislation , Industrial relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4062
- Description: M.Phil.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Coetzee, James Frederick
- Date: 2011-11-21
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Unemployment , Downsizing of organizations , Labor laws and legislation , Industrial relations
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:1720 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/4062
- Description: M.Phil.
- Full Text:
A framework for stakeholder engagement practices in South African businesses.
- Authors: Mwangi, John Ceasar
- Date: 2007-12-06T05:50:46Z
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Social responsibility of business - South Africa , Corporate government , Corporate government - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6450 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/138
- Description: The term “stakeholder engagement” has gained increasing prominence over the last few years in a variety of contexts. This interest has been fuelled by a range of issues that have taken place over time both from a global perspective and also from a South African perspective. From an international perspective, key among these issues include an increased dissatisfaction with business’s focus on stockholder/shareholder interests and the proliferation of business scandals that have been driven by an often singular focus on (financial) “bottom line”. This dissatisfaction has been further facilitated by the dramatic advances in communication technology that has enabled business malpractices to be instantaneously communicated around the globe with disastrous implications for business reputation. This dissatisfaction has resulted in calls on business for greater engagement with other stakeholders who have traditionally been on the periphery of business and have not received the attention it perhaps deserves, except when their interests had been blatantly violated. From a South African perspective the response to this issue is manifested in the attempt to review the corporate governance practices and guidelines of South African business through the lens provided by the King II Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa. This report has specifically highlighted the need for business to engage with all their stakeholders as contributors to the sustainable business success. This has resulted in an expansion of the notion of a singular (financial) “bottom line” to a so-called “triple bottom line” which also accommodates the social (including ethical) and environmental “bottom lines”. Typical questions that arise from a broader stakeholder approach need to be addressed. Examples of these are: Why should business engage with stakeholders? What are or should be the underlying reasons for engaging with stakeholders? Who are stakeholders? What are the implications of engaging with stakeholders? To answer these and other questions, the researcher set out to develop a framework for stakeholder engagement practices for South African business. In order to achieve this objective, the concept of stakeholder engagement was analyzed. This was conducted by reviewing the historical background that has led to the increasing emergence of stakeholder engagement interest by business. To facilitate an understanding of the field of stakeholder engagement an overview of stakeholder literature was presented and the current issues in the literature in relation to stakeholders reviewed. The applied research component of the study involved a qualitative content analysis of the annual reports of a sample of listed South African companies (N=22) to determine whether structured stakeholder engagement practices had been executed. If this had been the case, patterns of stakeholder engagement practices could have been identified. It was, however, found that these companies did not seem to have specific structured approaches to engage with their stakeholders. By integrating the findings from the literature review and the content analysis a framework for stakeholder engagement practices for South African business was developed. This framework depicts stakeholder engagement as a three-step process that broadly consists of stakeholder identification, planning for engagement (setting objectives, prioritizing and developing strategies) and implementation (defining performance measures, monitoring outcomes and reporting). , Prof. LJ Van Vuuren
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mwangi, John Ceasar
- Date: 2007-12-06T05:50:46Z
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Social responsibility of business - South Africa , Corporate government , Corporate government - South Africa
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6450 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/138
- Description: The term “stakeholder engagement” has gained increasing prominence over the last few years in a variety of contexts. This interest has been fuelled by a range of issues that have taken place over time both from a global perspective and also from a South African perspective. From an international perspective, key among these issues include an increased dissatisfaction with business’s focus on stockholder/shareholder interests and the proliferation of business scandals that have been driven by an often singular focus on (financial) “bottom line”. This dissatisfaction has been further facilitated by the dramatic advances in communication technology that has enabled business malpractices to be instantaneously communicated around the globe with disastrous implications for business reputation. This dissatisfaction has resulted in calls on business for greater engagement with other stakeholders who have traditionally been on the periphery of business and have not received the attention it perhaps deserves, except when their interests had been blatantly violated. From a South African perspective the response to this issue is manifested in the attempt to review the corporate governance practices and guidelines of South African business through the lens provided by the King II Report on Corporate Governance for South Africa. This report has specifically highlighted the need for business to engage with all their stakeholders as contributors to the sustainable business success. This has resulted in an expansion of the notion of a singular (financial) “bottom line” to a so-called “triple bottom line” which also accommodates the social (including ethical) and environmental “bottom lines”. Typical questions that arise from a broader stakeholder approach need to be addressed. Examples of these are: Why should business engage with stakeholders? What are or should be the underlying reasons for engaging with stakeholders? Who are stakeholders? What are the implications of engaging with stakeholders? To answer these and other questions, the researcher set out to develop a framework for stakeholder engagement practices for South African business. In order to achieve this objective, the concept of stakeholder engagement was analyzed. This was conducted by reviewing the historical background that has led to the increasing emergence of stakeholder engagement interest by business. To facilitate an understanding of the field of stakeholder engagement an overview of stakeholder literature was presented and the current issues in the literature in relation to stakeholders reviewed. The applied research component of the study involved a qualitative content analysis of the annual reports of a sample of listed South African companies (N=22) to determine whether structured stakeholder engagement practices had been executed. If this had been the case, patterns of stakeholder engagement practices could have been identified. It was, however, found that these companies did not seem to have specific structured approaches to engage with their stakeholders. By integrating the findings from the literature review and the content analysis a framework for stakeholder engagement practices for South African business was developed. This framework depicts stakeholder engagement as a three-step process that broadly consists of stakeholder identification, planning for engagement (setting objectives, prioritizing and developing strategies) and implementation (defining performance measures, monitoring outcomes and reporting). , Prof. LJ Van Vuuren
- Full Text:
Perceptions of corporate social responsibility of different generations within a financial institution
- Authors: Marx, Johanna Jacomina
- Date: 2012-10-25
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Financial institutions , Generations
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7901
- Description: M.Comm. , The objectives of the present study were: To explore the perceptions about CSR held by different generations in a South African financial institution. The population consisted of 900 employees working for the African Bank Investments Limited (ABIL) head office and branches in Gauteng, Cape Town, and KwaZulu-Natal who were born between 1946 and 1995. Questionnaires were distributed to employees in the head office. The researcher collected completed questionnaires personally. During the same period, questionnaires were distributed to the branches by utilising the company's branch auditors and quality control specialists (QCS). The returned questionnaires were coded and the raw data entered into and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0.2. This study made use of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify whether differences in mean results across the generations were significant. The final sample comprised of 656 respondents, which was a response rate of 73%. The findings indicated that Baby Boomers and Generation Y generally share similar perceptions with regard to CSR initiatives in the workplace, the role that organisations play, as well as the motivations behind undertaking CSR initiatives. Baby Boomers and Generation Y are generally more positive than Generation X about the virtues of CSR. Recommendations are made to ABIL to embark on an age- or generational-group focussed education programme to convey the message about the intent of the CSR initiatives undertaken.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Marx, Johanna Jacomina
- Date: 2012-10-25
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Financial institutions , Generations
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10435 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7901
- Description: M.Comm. , The objectives of the present study were: To explore the perceptions about CSR held by different generations in a South African financial institution. The population consisted of 900 employees working for the African Bank Investments Limited (ABIL) head office and branches in Gauteng, Cape Town, and KwaZulu-Natal who were born between 1946 and 1995. Questionnaires were distributed to employees in the head office. The researcher collected completed questionnaires personally. During the same period, questionnaires were distributed to the branches by utilising the company's branch auditors and quality control specialists (QCS). The returned questionnaires were coded and the raw data entered into and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 16.0.2. This study made use of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) to identify whether differences in mean results across the generations were significant. The final sample comprised of 656 respondents, which was a response rate of 73%. The findings indicated that Baby Boomers and Generation Y generally share similar perceptions with regard to CSR initiatives in the workplace, the role that organisations play, as well as the motivations behind undertaking CSR initiatives. Baby Boomers and Generation Y are generally more positive than Generation X about the virtues of CSR. Recommendations are made to ABIL to embark on an age- or generational-group focussed education programme to convey the message about the intent of the CSR initiatives undertaken.
- Full Text:
The role of corporate strategy in fostering corporate social responsibility
- Authors: Mfecane, Vuyisile Gregory
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Strategic planning , Corporate social responsiblity , Social responsibility of business , Business planning
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/371680 , uj:7493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8351
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Social responsibility is increasingly becoming important in the undertaking of any business as the general society, investors and other stakeholders increasingly make it a point to keep business accountable with regard to social and environmental impacts business has on the socio-economic environments in which businesses operate. As a result, organisations find themselves having to determine efficient ways to achieve profitability and profit growth while meeting the social and environmental needs of the communities within which they conduct their business. Managers are now pressured to go about their social responsibility agenda without negatively affecting the bottom line while achieving social responsibility goals and objectives. Therefore this body of work aims to investigate and uncover guidelines and ways in which corporate strategy can progress Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), thus providing management and CSR practitioners insights into how strategy can be used to enhance CSR initiatives in their organisations. This is achieved by researching a few organisations by looking at their corporate strategy formulation techniques followed by the assessment of their social responsibility strategy and resulting initiatives. Having conducted the research, ways to link CSR to corporate strategy are identified and the advantages and disadvantages thereof. Recommendations on how organisations can move from dispersed CSR to strategic CSR without losing focus of its strategic objectives as a business are made based on sound research. This will provide CSR managers with insights on how corporate strategy can progress CSR and how to link the two.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mfecane, Vuyisile Gregory
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Strategic planning , Corporate social responsiblity , Social responsibility of business , Business planning
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: http://ujcontent.uj.ac.za8080/10210/371680 , uj:7493 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8351
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , Social responsibility is increasingly becoming important in the undertaking of any business as the general society, investors and other stakeholders increasingly make it a point to keep business accountable with regard to social and environmental impacts business has on the socio-economic environments in which businesses operate. As a result, organisations find themselves having to determine efficient ways to achieve profitability and profit growth while meeting the social and environmental needs of the communities within which they conduct their business. Managers are now pressured to go about their social responsibility agenda without negatively affecting the bottom line while achieving social responsibility goals and objectives. Therefore this body of work aims to investigate and uncover guidelines and ways in which corporate strategy can progress Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), thus providing management and CSR practitioners insights into how strategy can be used to enhance CSR initiatives in their organisations. This is achieved by researching a few organisations by looking at their corporate strategy formulation techniques followed by the assessment of their social responsibility strategy and resulting initiatives. Having conducted the research, ways to link CSR to corporate strategy are identified and the advantages and disadvantages thereof. Recommendations on how organisations can move from dispersed CSR to strategic CSR without losing focus of its strategic objectives as a business are made based on sound research. This will provide CSR managers with insights on how corporate strategy can progress CSR and how to link the two.
- Full Text:
Stakeholder involvement in corporate social responsibility at a South African manufacturing company
- Authors: Mudau, Rudzani
- Date: 2012-10-29
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Manufacturing industries
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10468 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7932
- Description: M.Comm. , The purpose of the present study was to explore the extent of key stakeholder engagement in Coca-Cola's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in South Africa, and to establish the stages at which stakeholders are practically involved in such CSR initiatives. This study focused on two types of populations. The first was an unknown number of industry experts in the Johannesburg area who provided information about how CSR stakeholders should be identified and involved in CSR initiatives. These experts were sampled through a purposive sampling approach, and ten participants were interviewed from this population. The second population comprised of 20 executives at Coca-Cola South Africa who have knowledge of the CSR activities of the company. For these executives, a convenience sampling technique was used, and a total of 15 participants were interviewed from this group. The current study utilised interview guides for data collection in both groups of participants. Data collection was conducted from April to August 2011. There was agreement amongst all participants that CSR should uplift communities while relationships are built with stakeholders. Regarding the selection of stakeholders, both groups of participants agreed that the relevance of stakeholders depends on the CSR initiative to be pursued. The findings of this study indicate that the stages at which identified stakeholders get involved in CSR initiatives depends on the CSR project to be undertaken. Participants from both groups indicated that hostility may result from not engaging with relevant stakeholders. This study recommends that the CSR policy at Coca-Cola be revised so that the engagement of relevant stakeholders is clearly articulated. Regarding future research, it is recommended that this study be replicated with corporations in a similar industry. In addition, it is recommended that future studies solicit the views of beneficiaries as well as those of the employees with regard to the identification and involvement of stakeholders.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mudau, Rudzani
- Date: 2012-10-29
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Manufacturing industries
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:10468 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/7932
- Description: M.Comm. , The purpose of the present study was to explore the extent of key stakeholder engagement in Coca-Cola's corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives in South Africa, and to establish the stages at which stakeholders are practically involved in such CSR initiatives. This study focused on two types of populations. The first was an unknown number of industry experts in the Johannesburg area who provided information about how CSR stakeholders should be identified and involved in CSR initiatives. These experts were sampled through a purposive sampling approach, and ten participants were interviewed from this population. The second population comprised of 20 executives at Coca-Cola South Africa who have knowledge of the CSR activities of the company. For these executives, a convenience sampling technique was used, and a total of 15 participants were interviewed from this group. The current study utilised interview guides for data collection in both groups of participants. Data collection was conducted from April to August 2011. There was agreement amongst all participants that CSR should uplift communities while relationships are built with stakeholders. Regarding the selection of stakeholders, both groups of participants agreed that the relevance of stakeholders depends on the CSR initiative to be pursued. The findings of this study indicate that the stages at which identified stakeholders get involved in CSR initiatives depends on the CSR project to be undertaken. Participants from both groups indicated that hostility may result from not engaging with relevant stakeholders. This study recommends that the CSR policy at Coca-Cola be revised so that the engagement of relevant stakeholders is clearly articulated. Regarding future research, it is recommended that this study be replicated with corporations in a similar industry. In addition, it is recommended that future studies solicit the views of beneficiaries as well as those of the employees with regard to the identification and involvement of stakeholders.
- Full Text:
Corporate entrepreneurship within the Department of Correctional Services
- Authors: Mabala, Makwena Jane
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , South Africa. Dept. of Correctional Services , Creative ability in business , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8352
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , The need for improved service delivery and new ways of using resources to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector organisations requires government departments to be entrepreneurial. Corporate entreprepreneurship is the only weapon that could assist public sector organisations to shift from being bureacratic to being innovative and entrepreneurial. The increasing demands to find more cost-effective ways of serving the public, challenges all public sector employees to be entrepreneurial and innovative in delivering public services. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as one of the public sector organisations. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) which was developed by Kurakto et al. in 1990 was used to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged in DCS. The assessment of corporate entrepreneurship in the DCS has shown that the department still has a huge responsibility of creating a climate conducive for corporate entrepreneurship. The assessment also showed that managers and non- managerial employees in the DCS need education and acquired awareness with regard to corporate entrepreneurship so that all employees can fully understand the benefit of corporate entrepreneurship in the department.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mabala, Makwena Jane
- Date: 2013-05-01
- Subjects: Entrepreneurship , South Africa. Dept. of Correctional Services , Creative ability in business , Social responsibility of business
- Type: Mini-Dissertation
- Identifier: uj:7494 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/8352
- Description: M.Comm. (Business Management) , The need for improved service delivery and new ways of using resources to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector organisations requires government departments to be entrepreneurial. Corporate entreprepreneurship is the only weapon that could assist public sector organisations to shift from being bureacratic to being innovative and entrepreneurial. The increasing demands to find more cost-effective ways of serving the public, challenges all public sector employees to be entrepreneurial and innovative in delivering public services. The purpose of this study is to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged within the Department of Correctional Services (DCS), as one of the public sector organisations. The Corporate Entrepreneurship Assessment Instrument (CEAI) which was developed by Kurakto et al. in 1990 was used to assess the extent to which corporate entrepreneurship is promoted and encouraged in DCS. The assessment of corporate entrepreneurship in the DCS has shown that the department still has a huge responsibility of creating a climate conducive for corporate entrepreneurship. The assessment also showed that managers and non- managerial employees in the DCS need education and acquired awareness with regard to corporate entrepreneurship so that all employees can fully understand the benefit of corporate entrepreneurship in the department.
- Full Text:
Corporate social investment educational initiatives: a perceived strategic contributor to first national bank's reputation according to their internal communication consultants
- Authors: Blumberg, Taryn Ann
- Date: 2010-06-03T05:41:32Z
- Subjects: Communication in organizations , Corporations public relations , Social responsibility of business , Corporate culture
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3292
- Description: M.A. , Organisations which practise according to a social cultural approach to organising from a systems perspective, as described by Buckley (1967:3), value the dynamics of interrelations and the importance of corporate communication, in order for an environmental balance to be maintained and an acclaimed organisational reputation to be built. By addressing the systems theory from a process model approach and the social cultural organisational context, according to organisational principles defined by the structuration theory tradition, the core principle of production and reproduction of social structures is emphasised, where it is possible to recognise the value of corporate communication as an element of the strategic management process. Literature has indicated that in its strategic capacity, corporate communication focuses on enhancing stakeholder relationships, facilitates an adaptive organisational structure and assists management to align strategies with goals. Organisations are therefore encouraged to adapt to a dynamic environment, which in turn develops a reputation based on transformation. Corporate social investment, within this context, is perceived as a strategic corporate communication facilitator which is practised with the aim of building relationships with communities and ensuring attainment of environmental goals which align with internal strategies and objectives. This study explores the corporate social investment educational initiatives of First National Bank, who have a vision of assisting to develop a better future through the youth. Through varied educational initiatives and corporate communication strategies designed around these initiatives, stakeholders should gain an enhanced impression of the organisation where First National Bank is recognised for shaping the development of South Africa in a global economy. Therefore, the primary research objective of this study was to identify the perceptions of selected First National Bank internal communication consultants, of corporate social investment educational initiatives as a strategic contributor to the reputation of First National Bank. The study assumed an overall qualitative methodological orientation; however both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used. The study consisted of three phases of research. Phases 1 and 2 were both of a qualitative nature and focused on the methodology of qualitative content analysis and qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews respectively, thereby developing subjective and explanatory findings around the research objective. Phase 3 explored the quantitative research methodology of a self-administered questionnaire, and resulted in the production of empirical findings. Findings obtained in phase 3 were developed with the pursuit of substantiating and verifying what had been deduced in phases 1 and 2. From the findings yielded by this research, it is possible to surmise that First National Bank’s corporate social investment educational initiatives do strategically contribute to the organisational reputation, as they reflect the organisation’s ability to adapt to external influences, and have also revealed the need to focus on stakeholder involvement as a reputation management tool, which encourages stakeholders to make a difference to society and gain knowledge of the organisation’s strategies and goals. Findings have also suggested that First National Bank place emphasis on addressing corporate social investment educational initiatives from a holistic approach, where, through unity of efforts, a favourable organisational reputation is produced. It was perceived that alignment of organisational values with corporate social investment initiatives improves the organisation’s long-term business opportunities, and emphasis placed on relationship-building reflects the organisation’s desire to empower stakeholders who could assist in transforming strategies to reach organisational goals. However, a lack of communication at First National Bank surrounding corporate social investment was identified within this study, but it became apparent that the organisation does have an interactive culture which aims to address the external environment through their corporate social investment educational initiatives. This idea reflected how the organisation aims to achieve a dynamic environmental balance which ultimately assists the organisation in enhancing a positive reputation. This study has also indicated that it is the strategic role of corporate communication, as a social cultural phenomenon, to ensure that throughout every strategy implemented, the organisation is constantly and advantageously positioned in the minds of all stakeholders.
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- Authors: Blumberg, Taryn Ann
- Date: 2010-06-03T05:41:32Z
- Subjects: Communication in organizations , Corporations public relations , Social responsibility of business , Corporate culture
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:6860 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/3292
- Description: M.A. , Organisations which practise according to a social cultural approach to organising from a systems perspective, as described by Buckley (1967:3), value the dynamics of interrelations and the importance of corporate communication, in order for an environmental balance to be maintained and an acclaimed organisational reputation to be built. By addressing the systems theory from a process model approach and the social cultural organisational context, according to organisational principles defined by the structuration theory tradition, the core principle of production and reproduction of social structures is emphasised, where it is possible to recognise the value of corporate communication as an element of the strategic management process. Literature has indicated that in its strategic capacity, corporate communication focuses on enhancing stakeholder relationships, facilitates an adaptive organisational structure and assists management to align strategies with goals. Organisations are therefore encouraged to adapt to a dynamic environment, which in turn develops a reputation based on transformation. Corporate social investment, within this context, is perceived as a strategic corporate communication facilitator which is practised with the aim of building relationships with communities and ensuring attainment of environmental goals which align with internal strategies and objectives. This study explores the corporate social investment educational initiatives of First National Bank, who have a vision of assisting to develop a better future through the youth. Through varied educational initiatives and corporate communication strategies designed around these initiatives, stakeholders should gain an enhanced impression of the organisation where First National Bank is recognised for shaping the development of South Africa in a global economy. Therefore, the primary research objective of this study was to identify the perceptions of selected First National Bank internal communication consultants, of corporate social investment educational initiatives as a strategic contributor to the reputation of First National Bank. The study assumed an overall qualitative methodological orientation; however both qualitative and quantitative research methodologies were used. The study consisted of three phases of research. Phases 1 and 2 were both of a qualitative nature and focused on the methodology of qualitative content analysis and qualitative in-depth semi-structured interviews respectively, thereby developing subjective and explanatory findings around the research objective. Phase 3 explored the quantitative research methodology of a self-administered questionnaire, and resulted in the production of empirical findings. Findings obtained in phase 3 were developed with the pursuit of substantiating and verifying what had been deduced in phases 1 and 2. From the findings yielded by this research, it is possible to surmise that First National Bank’s corporate social investment educational initiatives do strategically contribute to the organisational reputation, as they reflect the organisation’s ability to adapt to external influences, and have also revealed the need to focus on stakeholder involvement as a reputation management tool, which encourages stakeholders to make a difference to society and gain knowledge of the organisation’s strategies and goals. Findings have also suggested that First National Bank place emphasis on addressing corporate social investment educational initiatives from a holistic approach, where, through unity of efforts, a favourable organisational reputation is produced. It was perceived that alignment of organisational values with corporate social investment initiatives improves the organisation’s long-term business opportunities, and emphasis placed on relationship-building reflects the organisation’s desire to empower stakeholders who could assist in transforming strategies to reach organisational goals. However, a lack of communication at First National Bank surrounding corporate social investment was identified within this study, but it became apparent that the organisation does have an interactive culture which aims to address the external environment through their corporate social investment educational initiatives. This idea reflected how the organisation aims to achieve a dynamic environmental balance which ultimately assists the organisation in enhancing a positive reputation. This study has also indicated that it is the strategic role of corporate communication, as a social cultural phenomenon, to ensure that throughout every strategy implemented, the organisation is constantly and advantageously positioned in the minds of all stakeholders.
- Full Text:
Business expectations of corporate social responsibility spent in education
- Authors: Ramasedi, Mapule
- Date: 2015-03-18
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Business ethics - Study and teaching
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13477 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13510
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management ) , The primary objective of the research was to investigate what business expects from its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution to education, with the secondary objectives being the establishment of a sustainable partnership, and the solicitation of more funding to attain the strategic goals of the Education Department. To achieve these objectives, research was conducted with the research population consisting of 15 targeted companies. The sample comprised of CSR practitioners from the respective companies. Out of the 15 companies targeted, only 12 responded. A survey was utilised to collect the data, and the completion of the questionnaires was followed by in–depth interviews for clarity where necessary. The findings revealed six major expectations by business from its CSR contributions to education, namely: 1. Delivery of quality education 2. The need to form partnerships 3.Sustainability 4.Skills development 5. Leadership 6. Measurement, evaluation and reporting. It was also established that the six aspects identified by the participating companies were not only critical for CSR, but were also pivotal for the transformation of education, socio-economic development, and for the return of investment in the form of human capital.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Ramasedi, Mapule
- Date: 2015-03-18
- Subjects: Social responsibility of business , Business ethics - Study and teaching
- Type: Thesis
- Identifier: uj:13477 , http://hdl.handle.net/10210/13510
- Description: M.Com. (Business Management ) , The primary objective of the research was to investigate what business expects from its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) contribution to education, with the secondary objectives being the establishment of a sustainable partnership, and the solicitation of more funding to attain the strategic goals of the Education Department. To achieve these objectives, research was conducted with the research population consisting of 15 targeted companies. The sample comprised of CSR practitioners from the respective companies. Out of the 15 companies targeted, only 12 responded. A survey was utilised to collect the data, and the completion of the questionnaires was followed by in–depth interviews for clarity where necessary. The findings revealed six major expectations by business from its CSR contributions to education, namely: 1. Delivery of quality education 2. The need to form partnerships 3.Sustainability 4.Skills development 5. Leadership 6. Measurement, evaluation and reporting. It was also established that the six aspects identified by the participating companies were not only critical for CSR, but were also pivotal for the transformation of education, socio-economic development, and for the return of investment in the form of human capital.
- Full Text: