Corporate Social Responsibility And Competitive Advantage Theories Management Essay

Corporate Social Responsibility And Competitive Advantage Theories Management Essay Corporate social responsibility (CSR), also known as corporate responsibility, corporate citizenship, responsible business, sustainable responsible business (SRB), or corporate social performance, is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. ¼Ã‹â€ Wood, D. 1991 ¼Ã¢â‚¬ ° Kotler and Lee (2005) thought CSR is a commitment to community well-being through discretionary business practices and contributions of corporate resources. Ccorporate social responsibility includes human rights, employee rights, stakeholder rights, environmental protection, community relations, transparency and corruption. (Frynas, 2005) Competitive Advantage Competitive advantage is generally believed that the company holds the trumps in resources, capacity, and value created for customers, profit levels and market share and so on. Barney (1991) said a firm is said to have a competitive advantage when it is implementing a value creating strategy not simultaneously being implemented by any current or potential competitors. The basis of a competitive advantage comprises low costs for raw materials and energy, efficient production technologies and locational advantages.(Torsten Frohwein, Bernd Hansjurgens,2005). The opportunities for competitive advantages derive from the following implications: regulation and information.(A. B. Jaffe, R. G. Newell, R. N. Stavins,2001) The relationship of CSR CA Porte (1995) identifies the objectives of environmental improvements and enhanced competitiveness can be combined in a win-win situation. There is no consensus that the relationship of Corporate Social Responsibility and Competitive Advantage. In this paper, the relationship between CSR stakeholders is analyzed. A model of CSR contribution to competitive advantage was built so as to study the relationship between CSR CA. CSR is divided into the main stakeholders investors, employees, consumers, business partners, natural environment, community and government responsibility, using the description of corporate social responsibility and stakeholder theory framework. The essay described the competitive advantage from three dimensions: strategic resources, enterprise core competencies and business environment according to the comprehensive theory of competitive advantage. Main body CSR Enterprise Strategic Resources Barney (1991) analyzed competitive advantages from point of view of resources: Valuable, Rare, Imperfectly Imitable and Non-Substitutable. This essay selected two closely related resources with CSR to analyze: corporate reputation and corporate personnel. CSR Corporate Reputation Olins (1990) said that corporate reputation might be extended to a large range of product brands. Balmer (1998) Pointed out that corporate reputation finally is able to bring competitive advantage for enterprises and it is an important strategic resource. Corporate reputation comes from stakeholders; therefore, companies must be responsible to its stakeholders. That means CSR could effect corporate reputation, thus affecting t competitive advantage. Conversely, good reputation will also help companies to promote corporate social responsibility. Since the reputation determines attitude of the public and generates more favorable effect. Some multinational companies with high reputation, such as Wal-Mart, Starbucks, Nike and McDonalds fulfilled corporate social responsibility in brand-building to rebuild corporate reputation, image and corporate culture, thus enhanced the influence of brand. From a long-term perspective, corporate social responsibility is more conducive to enhance the long-term development and public image. CSR corporate personnel From the point of human resources, human capital is the basis for competitiveness. Staffs including employees and employers are makers, implementers, innovators and evaluators of core competitiveness of enterprises. Business survival and development depends on initiative and creativity of staff. Staff is the driving force for the development. Staff is a powerful competitive advantage to obtain protection. An enterprise survival depends on staff. Therefore, how to retain staff and how to develop staffs contribution of core competitiveness is the core issue. Companies must not only provide employees with reasonable salary and benefits, but also need to create equality, non-discrimination, safety and health, continuing training, working environment. All these are responsibility that enterprises must bear to employees. Staff loyalty and satisfaction result in competitively in the market. The enterprises fulfill their social responsibilities to their staff, such as attracting staff, retaining staff and stimulating creativity, which would have a positive impact. CSR Core Competencies CSR risk control capabilities Risk control is that managers have taken various measures and methods to eliminate or reduce various possibilities of risk, or to reduce losses caused by the incident. CSR that enterprise lead to its stakeholders could reduce the possibility and losses of risk, while appropriate penalties could be subject to ignoring the social responsibility. CSR business innovation Business innovation means such new methods or procedures that an enterprise uses its skills and resources to build new technology and products so that customer requirements can be changed or provide in better response. Business innovation includes product innovation, production process innovation and management innovation. Enterprises create new products and services by innovation to access to excess profits rather than average profit and win in the competition. Therefore, enhancing business innovation can obtain competitive advantage. In 2007, the British consulting firm Account Ability and CSR Network conducted Corporate Social Responsibility Assessment, and British Petroleum was ranking first. BP has also invested $20 million to reduce carbon dioxide emissions to resolve the problem in order to mitigate global warming. The result of carbon dioxide emissions was reduced by 10%in 2001 compared to 1990. And it also received $560 million of value-added returns. Therefore, CSR will stimulate innovation and bring benefits for enterprises. CSR the corporate environment A good relationship with stakeholders helps enterprises to expand market, win opportunities so as to form competitive advantage. CSR Consumer CSR the Natural Environment CSR Business Partners CSR Community CSR Government model Competitive Advantages Business partner Community Government Consumer Natural Environment Staff Corporate Environment Competencies environment mpetencies Transformation and Influence between CSR CA CSR can be transformed into competitive advantages. First, corporate social responsibility is good for optimizing the living environment. Corporate social responsibility can help corporations avoid condemnation, punishment and restrictions from government, community and the public so that decision-making and management are flexibility and autonomy. Maybe they enjoy preferential policies and incentives by government. Second, enterprises carry out their social responsibility to improve the public image, advance enterprises visibility, reputation, enhance social harmony, to attract consumers. All these can create a broader market and better development. Third, corporate social responsibility can cross international barriers. At present, corporate social responsibility has become accepted indicators of high standards and strict requirements. In an increasing economic globalization, corporate social responsibility would help enterprises to international markets, reduce the impact of social responsibility and enhance and upgrade competitiveness in the international market. Fourth, corporate social responsibility will help to attract talent. Corporations regularly involved in social responsibility are more well-known to easily recruit and retain talent. Fifth, corporate social responsibility will help improve financial performance, because Investors are always interested in responsible corporation.

Saint Augustine’s View on Sexuality Essay -- Religion

Saint Augustine’s View on Sexuality The famous bishop of Hippo, St. Augustine, is claimed as a cornerstone of Christian theology by both Catholics and Protestants. Many of his views are regarded by Christians as authoritative interpretations of the Bible because they have withstood heated debate throughout the centuries. Christians ought to ask, however, whether such allegiance is justifiable in all cases. Augustine's idea of sex after matrimony, for example, is very narrow, restricting actions and emotions married Christians today consider part of the beauty of intercourse. A logical assertion then, is that Augustine's view of sexuality, as delineated in many writings, is a response to his life of sensuality prior to salvation; therefore, his idea about the intent for sex within marriage stems more from his former sin than from Biblical perspective. St. Augustine's sordid lifestyle as a young man, revealed in Confessions, serves as a logical explanation for his limited view of the purpose of sexuality in marriage. His life from adolescence to age thirty-one was so united to passionate desire and sensual pleasure, that he later avoided approval of such emotions even within the sanctity of holy union. From the age of sixteen until he was freed of promiscuity fifteen years later, Augustine's life was woven with a growing desire for illicit acts, until that desire finally became necessity and controlled his will. His lust for sex began in the bath houses of Tagaste, where he was idle without schooling and "was tossed about†¦and boiling over in†¦fornications" (2.2). Also during that time, young Augustine displayed his preoccupation with sexual experience by fabricating vulgarities simply to impress his peers. In descript... ... Anderson, Douglas L., ed. Augustine. Nashville: Broadman Press, 1979. Augustine. The Confessions of St. Augustine: Books I-X. Trans. F.J. Sheed. New York: Sheed & Ward, 1942. Babcock, William S., ed. The Ethics of St. Augustine. Atlanta: Scholars P, 1991. Battenhouse, Roy W., ed. A Companion to the Study of St. Augustine. Grand Rapids: Baker,1955. Halsall, Paul. "St. Augustine: From 'On Marriage and Concupiscence.'" Internet Medieval Source Book. Oct. 1998. 3 Nov. 2000 <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/aug-marr.html>. Hooker, Richard. Early Christianity: Augustine. 6 Jun. 1999. 3 Nov. 2000 <http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~dee/CHRIST/AUG.HTM>. Oates, Whitney J., ed. Basic Writings of Saint Augustine. 1948. 2 vols. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1980. Rist, John M. Augustine: Ancient Thought Baptized. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1994.

American Nurses Association Essay

According to American Nurses Association website, nursing- sensitive indicators are defined as the structure, process and outcomes of nursing care (nursingworld.org). Quality care for patients in the hospital is important to their healing process. It is important to know what the nursing-sensitive indicators are and how they affect patients. The indicators are intended to focus plans and programs to increase quality and safety in patient care. In this scenario with Mr. J, many members of the healthcare team were not doing enough to make sure he was safe and that his needs were met to the fullest. Knowing what the nursing- sensitive indicators are could have helped prevent Mr. J from developing a pressure ulcer and making sure he was getting the correct diet. The healthcare team responsible for Mr. J did not advocate for him like they should have and let things slip when they should have been reported and taken care of. Understanding nursing-sensitive indicators can help nurses deliver the best care possible to their patients and help minimize complications and increase patient satisfaction. Some of the issues that happened with Mr. J’s case could have led to more serious complications. Restraining Mr. J when it was not necessary increased his chance of developing a pressure ulcer and could also have led to further serious complications such as developing post surgical complications such a deep vein thrombosis which would increase his stay in the hospital. Another example that could have been avoided was making sure that Mr. J was receiving the correct food for his diet. The healthcare team did not address Mr. J’s incorrect dietary meal in a timely manner which could have led to a more serious event. Not addressing patient needs will decrease patient satisfaction, which is one of the nursing-sensitive indicators.

Free Essays on Harry Potter... Wizardly Or Wimpy

In J.K. Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, we meet a meek, shy boy named Harry. He is the product of two parents who loved him very much but were killed earlier on in his life. He was sent to live with the Dursleys, his only relatives who are horrible to him. After numerous strange encounters with Hagrid (a visitor from the wizard world), Harry learns that he too is a wizard. He bounds off to wizard school and realizes that he has a great reputation to live up to. It seems as though everybody already knows of him everywhere he goes! People everywhere whisper behind him or those more brazen speak to him openly about his wizardly powers. Harry realizes that living up to this immense reputation will be a very difficult task. Not only does he have all of the typical fears that a regular boy would have of going off to a new school, but also has all of these abnormal fears about his reputation to conquer. After reading this book, it is clear that Harry Potter does not live up to his wizardly name while studying at Hogwart's, yet does contain the potential to do so. When Harry was wearing the sorting hat to decide what house he would be joining, it whispered that he did contain courage. â€Å" ‘Hmm,’ said a small voice in his ear. ‘Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There’s talent, oh my goodness, yes – and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting †¦ So where shall I put you?’† (Rowling, p90) The sorting hat realizes that there is potential to become a great wizard, but it does not say when. Harry may go on to become a great wizard, but does not do so during this novel. Harry is coy and timid and does not yet have the confidence that is portrayed by all of the other successful wizards in the story. â€Å"Professor McGonagall was again different. Harry had been quite right to think she wasn’t a teacher to cross. Strict and cl... Free Essays on Harry Potter... Wizardly Or Wimpy Free Essays on Harry Potter... Wizardly Or Wimpy In J.K. Rowling’s book Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, we meet a meek, shy boy named Harry. He is the product of two parents who loved him very much but were killed earlier on in his life. He was sent to live with the Dursleys, his only relatives who are horrible to him. After numerous strange encounters with Hagrid (a visitor from the wizard world), Harry learns that he too is a wizard. He bounds off to wizard school and realizes that he has a great reputation to live up to. It seems as though everybody already knows of him everywhere he goes! People everywhere whisper behind him or those more brazen speak to him openly about his wizardly powers. Harry realizes that living up to this immense reputation will be a very difficult task. Not only does he have all of the typical fears that a regular boy would have of going off to a new school, but also has all of these abnormal fears about his reputation to conquer. After reading this book, it is clear that Harry Potter does not live up to his wizardly name while studying at Hogwart's, yet does contain the potential to do so. When Harry was wearing the sorting hat to decide what house he would be joining, it whispered that he did contain courage. â€Å" ‘Hmm,’ said a small voice in his ear. ‘Difficult. Very difficult. Plenty of courage, I see. Not a bad mind, either. There’s talent, oh my goodness, yes – and a nice thirst to prove yourself, now that’s interesting †¦ So where shall I put you?’† (Rowling, p90) The sorting hat realizes that there is potential to become a great wizard, but it does not say when. Harry may go on to become a great wizard, but does not do so during this novel. Harry is coy and timid and does not yet have the confidence that is portrayed by all of the other successful wizards in the story. â€Å"Professor McGonagall was again different. Harry had been quite right to think she wasn’t a teacher to cross. Strict and cl...

Free Essays on Email In The Workplace

E-Mail in the Work Place Steve McAlpin IFSM 304 November 13, 2004 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Abstract 3 Introduction 4 The Employee’s View 4 The Employer’s View 6 Legal Issues 9 Technology 11 Conclusion 12 Bibliography 14 Abstract This paper will look into both the employee’s and the employer’s point of view on e-mail privacy. It will cover topics that include; ethical issues of employees using a company’s e-mail system for personal use, the legal rights employee’s have verses the employer rights to monitor employee’s e-mail, new laws covering e-mail privacy in the workplace, legal differences between telephone privacy and e-mail privacy, how employers are protecting themselves from lawsuits associated with e-mail, private verses Government aspects of e-mail privacy, new software to keep your e-mail private. It will be the readers’ responsibility at the conclusion of this paper to judge at what point we as a society draw the line in respect to e-mail privacy and is it ethical in the workplace. Introduction Email is fast becoming the preferred choice of communication with most people, because people can send and read messages whenever and wherever they choose, and of course it is faster than old snail mail, and definitely more convenient then playing phone tag. Because Email is a lot like regular mail, you would think that its privacy is legally protected, but guess again. The first issue we will look into is the employee’s view of how in general they feel about Email and its use in the workplace then we will look at the employers view and lastly we will look at the legal side of the issue. After covering these views, we will look at how the employer is protecting themselves and what the employee is doing to combat these issues. The Employee’s View The average individual, who uses Email, believes that their Email is private and secure. They believe that the use o... Free Essays on Email In The Workplace Free Essays on Email In The Workplace E-Mail in the Work Place Steve McAlpin IFSM 304 November 13, 2004 Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Abstract 3 Introduction 4 The Employee’s View 4 The Employer’s View 6 Legal Issues 9 Technology 11 Conclusion 12 Bibliography 14 Abstract This paper will look into both the employee’s and the employer’s point of view on e-mail privacy. It will cover topics that include; ethical issues of employees using a company’s e-mail system for personal use, the legal rights employee’s have verses the employer rights to monitor employee’s e-mail, new laws covering e-mail privacy in the workplace, legal differences between telephone privacy and e-mail privacy, how employers are protecting themselves from lawsuits associated with e-mail, private verses Government aspects of e-mail privacy, new software to keep your e-mail private. It will be the readers’ responsibility at the conclusion of this paper to judge at what point we as a society draw the line in respect to e-mail privacy and is it ethical in the workplace. Introduction Email is fast becoming the preferred choice of communication with most people, because people can send and read messages whenever and wherever they choose, and of course it is faster than old snail mail, and definitely more convenient then playing phone tag. Because Email is a lot like regular mail, you would think that its privacy is legally protected, but guess again. The first issue we will look into is the employee’s view of how in general they feel about Email and its use in the workplace then we will look at the employers view and lastly we will look at the legal side of the issue. After covering these views, we will look at how the employer is protecting themselves and what the employee is doing to combat these issues. The Employee’s View The average individual, who uses Email, believes that their Email is private and secure. They believe that the use o...

How does the Technology of Communication Influence the Nature and Essay

How does the Technology of Communication Influence the Nature and Identity of Community - Essay Example The presence of satellite communication has made it possible for the users to communicate in the most remote areas. The vast outbreak of technology has impacted the communities across the world. The effect of technology has been so massive that the behavior and identity of a community can be determined and is influenced by the communication technology in use. Communication and Community: The interdependence of proper communication and community development has been agreed by the modernist of the 19th and the 20th century. German theories suggest that proper communication is effective in community building as communication is helpful in suppressing and ignoring individuality to a large extent. Several theories were in proposition regarding community and communication. It was claimed that communication leads to community as communication is helpful in the creation of mutual recognition and promotes mutual respect among each other. Some liberals have the idea that the communication help s the individuals to express their own ideas and their expression of ideas gives rise to competition and differentiation, which leads to the effective growth of community. The theories suggested by optimists and pessimists vary in respect of community and communication. However similar ideas were shared which included the importance of communication on community and that both are necessary for the overall growth. The pessimist held the idea that mass communication as a false mode of communication and culture. Whereas the optimist believed that the mass communication is highly important in the integration of huge number of people to form communities. They propagated the idea that interpersonal communication and the formation of social organization will not be sufficient enough to have diversified ideas and will not result in creation of a great community. It has been highlighted that the behavior of community is associated with communication. In order to increase the tie in a communi ty it is important to get involved in more participation.1 The technologies of communication in the recent years aim to serve various communities in their own unique ways. The popular modes of communication technology involve the global use of internet and its associated technologies, Satellite television, newspaper, Radio broadcast. The use of technology for communication has been differentiated in the developed and the developing nations. The improvement of information and technology communication has affected the socio economic aspects both in a good and bad manner. The benefit of the ICT network has been significant in providing of essential service to the people. The effect of technology in communication has been significant in strengthening the community and increasing the community capacity. The increased access to communication enhances the ability of a community to communicate with business and other administrative units. The participation of a greater number of people in t he community development program and in their governance also increases. The wide use of the internet helps in the transformation of the social capital and involves a considerable mass to be in contact with each other. The local group base solidarity is eliminated to a large extent by the spatial

Global Trade Operations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Global Trade Operations - Essay Example The International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) are rules and regulations that govern international trade because when two parties are involved in international trade disputes or misunderstanding may arise hence making Incoterm a central component in the development of international trade across the globe (Branch 2009, p.4). The International Chambers of Commerce (ICC) established these guidelines in the year 1936. However, they have greatly evolved since that time. The main aim of these international trade guidelines is to spell out the legal obligation of the two parties involved in the trade. Additionally, this minimizes misunderstandings and conflict between the two parties. International trade can prove difficult when the two parties face obstacles such as language barrier and other limitations. This makes the International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) a very important aspect of the trade. The International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) apply globally hence making them generally acce ptable by all countries. The contract of the sale of goods is the area of focus in the International Commercial Terms (Incoterm). Additionally, the International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) covers all the aspects of transportation of goods, obligation of both parties and other requirements such as insurance. The International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) entails eleven terms that are fundamental in international trade. Furthermore, these terms fall under four major divisions these include â€Å"C† terms â€Å"D† terms â€Å"E† terms and â€Å"F† terms. The seller or exporter has to follow the International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) in order to complete a successful business transaction. Additionally, the procedures under International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) follow each other sequentially and in order of the degree of responsibility. However, one can better understand the terms used in the International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) when using a typica l example of a business transaction between an importer and an exporter hence making the application of these terms relevant. An international business transaction has to involve two different countries and in order to use all the applicable procedures in the International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) it is important to use two different countries that are not on the same bloc due some waivers, trade agreements and other issues like memorandum of understanding Description of the business Transaction The main business transaction that is most appropriate and fits the criteria of the International Commercial Terms (Incoterm) is importation and exportation of Japanese cars. This has been a very successful trade between Japan and other countries of the world. Additionally, most of the cars manufactured in the world come form Japan hence making a study on how the business transactions take place very informative. However, one main reason as to why this particular trade meets the criteria is that very many legal formalities are involved in the importation and exportation of vehicles from one country to another. Additionally, this kind of trade deals with incredibly many different nationalities hence providing readily available information that is useful. However, several countries have different rules and regulations that govern the importation of cars. For instance, in other countries one cannot import a car that is more than eight years old or the vehicle must be in a certain condition. All these rules and regulations involved when importing or exporting a vehicle make the trade more sophisticated. Countries involved in the business transaction The two main countries that we are going to focus on are the United