BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

ASSIGNMENT A BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT The object of this assignment is to develop your critical awareness of academic discourse around the topic of social and environmental performance. You will begin this assignment by gathering data on performance from a corporate and then stakeholder perspective. You are free to choose a topic to develop further in a full review of literature. In developing your review you will be expected to demonstrate the following: Ability to distinguish major themes in the discourse on social and environmental performance Selection of appropriate concepts and theories related to the topic with clear ability to integrate this academic thinking with examples in practice Well-structured, argued review of the field with critical assessment of challenges and opportunities Clearly communicated recommendations for improving evaluation in practice

Your final essay should include: Clear introduction to the specific topic being addressed and why it is important A critical review of the literature demonstrating an ability to discern appropriate material Clear identification of the challenges, differences of opinion, and deficiencies in the academic coverage A conclusion which builds on both your literature review and your experience of evaluating corporates in practice which leads to practical recommendations for the comprehensive evaluation of corporate performance

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

ASSIGNMENT A: LEARNING ACTIVITIES In approaching this assignment there will be a number of activities that help to develop your report and provide formative feedback to help you to clearly demonstrate the outcomes expected. To get the best out of these activities you will be expected to arrive to class fully prepared and to actively participate in sessions. For this assignment: Individual: Gather reported social and environmental strategies of eight companies Group: Evaluate stakeholder perspectives on a firm in food and drink industry Individual: Nominate a topic for research Group: Review selected paper on social and environmental performance - identify key themes and challenges Individual: Conduct a literature review around your chosen theme Group: Make a proposition around social and environmental performance and test this against the data you have gathered as a cohort Cohort: Discuss lessons learned and identify challenges Individual: Complete literature review and identity key learning points

ASSIGNMENT A.1 GATHER DATA ON SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES COMPLETE DATA TEMPLATE BY 29th October 2012 You have each been assigned a number of UK firms to review. On Moodle you will find each firms Annual Report for the year 2011. You will also find a link to answer questions about the firm and its strategies towards social and environmental stakeholders. Your first task will be to gather data on your firms and record this information in a template that you will have been provided.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SocEnvPerform

ASSIGNMENT A.2 TOPIC NOMINATION NOMINATE TOPIC BY 5th November 2012 This is to allow you to develop your ideas and to receive feedback on your nominated topic. From your experience of gathering data provide a short 250-350 words memo on the challenges and opportunities for evaluating social and environmental performance of corporates in practice. Developing from your discussion, nominate a more detailed and specific topic for further review from academic literature. Identify two-three key references that may be useful to your final report. A template for your submission is provided at the end of these guidelines, you must post your nomination to Moodle and you will receive brief formative feedback.

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

ASSIGNMENT A.3 FINAL REPORT FINAL REPORT BY 10th December 2012 References and an example on producing a critical literature review are provided on Moodle and you are strongly recommended to read these carefully. You are required to submit both physical and electronic copies of all assignments for this module. These should be printed on two-sided A4 paper and single stapled top left hand corner, do not use plastic covers. Essays must be handed to MSc Office by the required deadline and an electronic copy must also be uploaded to Moodle for plagiarism detection in Adobe pdf or Word docx format. Wordcount in range 1,750,2,000 Standard MSc Coursework coversheet with signature Title of essay Header on each page: BUCS ID ONLY) Footer on each page: Page number and total e.g. Page 2 of 5 12-point font with 1.5 x line spacing References in Harvard System All sources of information (e.g. websites) must be identified using foot or end notes Word-count must be included

Penalties will be applied for failing to follow these guidelines and late submissions at any stage will be capped at a maximum of 40%, in accordance with University rules. Penalties will also be applied, if you fail to complete any of the stages of this assignment such as data gathering to the required standard. When submitting course work you must abide by guidelines in the Student Handbook for the School of Management on Cheating and Plagiarism and ensure that all material in this assignment is my/our own work, except where indicated with appropriate references Regulation 15.3(e). All coursework must be submitted electronically for plagiarism detection and a physical copy handed in to MSc Office that will be retained for external examiners.

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

ASSIGNMENT A: ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

Here are the general criteria that will be used to assess your literature review. This is for guidance only. Remember that a poorly written or structured essay can make it very hard to assess your level of learning.
Potential Grade
Analytical and research ability

<30
Little or none

30-45
Some evidence

45-55
Reasonably developed

55-65
Well developed

65-75
Highly developed

75+
Highly developed and mature

Problem solving

Incapable of tackling problems

Little attempt to tackle problems

Some attempt to tackle problems

Good attempt to tackle problems and implication of suggestions.

Tackles problems with ease and presents well balanced consideration of alternatives.

Excellent problem solving shown, with broad consideration of any proposals covering longterm and multiple stakeholders.

Critical ability

Poorly developed or absent

Superficial with no attempt to challenge existing material

Limited engagement with critical thinking

Generally welldeveloped but areas od improvement.

Highly developed with appropriate questioning and challenge

Outstanding critical review demonstrating mastery of the subject and materials.

Evaluation

No attempt to evaluate the data

Opportunities missed and/or too descriptive

Good analysis but limited evaluation, rather descriptive

Good evaluation but could have been taken a little further

Critical evaluation based on excellent data and analysis

Insightful and critical evaluation based on excellent data and analysis

Expression of ideas and arguments

Very confused and lacking in clarity

Poorly structured with some confusion

Structure is a little difficult to follow, some lack of clarity

Clear and well structured arguments

Very clear and well structured with suitable evidence and references

Fluent and well structured showing exception use of evidence and supporting references

Use of references and literature review skills

Poor choice of materials with no consideration of source or suitability. Failure to use proper referencing system. No research beyond core texts demonstrated.

Restricted consideration of different perspectives with reference mainly to few core texts or missing relevant contemporary texts.

Application and integration

Limited ability to apply learning in practice where academic materials are dissociated from practical issues

Suitable selection and use of references with Identification of differences in opinion and consideration of source. Good identification of examples with an ability to interpret, integrate and apply academic concepts in practice.

Critical evaluation of viewpoints and questioning of materials identifying deficiencies or gaps.

Excellent application of academic materials to practice developing counterfactual evidence and challenging current academic materials

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

A.1 EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE OF BUSINESS

You have been assigned 6 companies to evaluate using the criteria below. You must enter your evaluation on the website at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SocEnvPerform

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY OR SUSTAINABILITY REPORTING

Reporting of social and environmental performance R01. Is there a specific section in the annual report related to corporate social responsibility, sustainability or related issues? R02. If so, what title(s) did the company use? R03. Are there any significant images or photographs that you feel are particularly important? R04. If so, describe the image in your own words?
Y D/K N

2011
Y D/K N

R05. Does the company mention government legislation, legal and/or liability reasons for producing this part of the annual report? R06. Does the company mention any reporting principles or guidelines they are following e.g. GRI, UNGC etc. R07. Does the company mention consultants or external parties used to produce, validate, or verify aspects of this section?
CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K

N N N

CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY MISSION STATEMENT

This section refers to any opening statement that identifies the corporate intentions or strategies towards societal and environmental stakeholders. Corporate Social Responsibility Statement C01. Is there content that can be identified as a mission statement towards societal and environmental stakeholders? In this statement: C02. there is specific mention of the environment or natural world C03. there is specific concern for society or social issues C04. there is consideration for social and environmental concerns as part of normal commercial activities C05. there is explicit mention of parties other than shareholders C06. there is an intention to perform better than minimum legal requirements 2011
Y D/K N

Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K

N N N

Y D/K Y D/K

N N

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

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABILITY OR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

This section considers the environmental and sustainability disclosures of the firm. Environment and sustainability E01. The firm has a dedicated manager responsible for sustainability or environmental management E03. The firm discusses stakeholders concern for environmental matters E04. The firm presents case studies or provides examples of products or interventions which improve environmental performance E05. There is explicit support for environmental management expressed by a senior company figure E06. The firm has a specific policy or strategy towards sustainability and the environment E14. The firm has targeted partnerships with environmental NGOs or agencies E16. The firm has adopted external standards EMAS, ISO14001 etc E02. The firm shows historical performance data and trends with targets or statistics MEASURE: What is the most prominent measure that the firm reports (if any)? 2011
Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K N N N N N N N N

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

CORPORATE COMMUNITY INVESTMENTS

This section is to capture materials that are provided relating to community activities, donations, volunteering, or other community investments. CORPORATE DONATIONS D03. The company makes information available concerning the needs in the community and the types of community investments made D05. There is explicit support for donations expressed by a senior company figure D06. There is evidence of a policy or standard for donations e.g. amount or percentage of profits D07. The company offers a matching incentive program in which the company makes a financial donation if matched by employee (GAYE) D14. The company has targeted partnerships with specific Community Groups/Charities D15. The company has identified specific themes or issues which it prefers to support e.g. education D02. The company shows evidence of recording data on donations through targets or statistics 2011
Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K N N N N N N N

DONATION: How much has the company donated (if any)? Include both currency and amount. GBP/USD/EUR/Other:________ AMOUNT: ____________________________________
CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE EMPLOYEE VOLUNTEERING V01. The company has a formally staffed program with a dedicated contact point V02. The company shows evidence of recording data on volunteering levels through targets or statistics V04. The company recognizes employee volunteer contributions through articles, awards, and commendations V05. There is explicit support for volunteering expressed by a senior company figure V0608. There is evidence of a policy or standard for volunteers e.g. specific mention of time allocated for volunteering OR allowing flexibility in working schedules V07. The company offers a matching incentive program in which the company makes a financial donation to the volunteer cause V09. The company encourages volunteering by allowing release time or hours off work to participate V11. The company shows evidence of supporting individual employees pursuing personal volunteering activities V12. The company organizes group activities in which employees work together as a team on a volunteer project V13. The company encourages participation in volunteer projects that develop job related skills or benefit the company V14. The company has targeted partnerships with specific Community Groups/Charities V15. The company has identified specific themes or issues which it prefers to support e.g. education V10. The company explicitly states an allowance for volunteering time per employee VOLUNTEERING: If an allowance was stated how many days were allowed? DAYS PER EMPLOYEE: ____________________________________
CODING: Y = AGREE, there is evidence, D/K = UNSURE or Dont Know, N = DISAGREE there is no evidence in text

2011
Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K N N N N N

Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K

N N N N N N N N

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

MEMBERSHIPS AND ACCREDITATIONS

MEMBERSHIP: For 2011, can you see evidence of membership or compliance with any standards or accreditation? MEMBERSHIP AccountAbility Principles (AA1000) Business in the Community Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) Carbon Trust Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC 2010) Coalition for Environmentally Responsible Companies (CERES) Environmental Reporting Standards (DEFRA) Extractive Industry Transparency Initiative (EITI) ESA Eco Audit Global Reporting Initiative (GRI/G3) Investors in People Investors in the Environment ISO 9001 ISO 14001 ISO 26000 London Benchmark Group OECD MNE Guidelines Social Accountability International (SA8000) UN Global Compact (UNGC) UN Principles for Responsible Investment (UNPRI) 2011
Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N N

Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K Y D/K

OTHER: If there are any other memberships or associations mentioned please specify.

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

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

OTHER COMMENTS
Any other comments on the social and environmental performance of this firm 2011

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BEING GOOD OR DOING WELL EVALUATING SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE

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

From your experience of evaluating corporate strategies and stakeholder perspectives of what did you see as the main challenges and opportunities for evaluating social and environmental performance of corporates in practice? Write a brief memo of your observations (Maximum 350 words). Nominate a topic for further investigation and your main references. Remember this is a draft and to help you to develop your ideas only. NAME: BUCS EMAIL:

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

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

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

STRICTLY ONE PAGE ONLY OF MINIMUM 10 POINT FONT

10