...perceptions of socially responsible consumption: Attitudes among Chinese and German business students- A comparative/ contrastive study * * * Index 1 Title and Initial Statement of Research Question 3 2 Background 3 3 Statement of research objective 6 3.1 Primary research objective 6 3.2 Secondary research objective 6 3.3 Definition of terms 6 3.4 Detailed explanation of objectives 7 4 Research design and schedule 8 4.1 Approach 8 4.2 Methods of familiarisation: 8 4.3 Methods of using text: 9 4.4 Methods of using Talk: 9 4.5 Methods of using experimentation: 10 4.6 Methods of observation: 11 4.7 Tools of data recording and documentation 12 4.7.1 Tools for talk 12 4.7.2 Tools for text 12 4.7.3 Tools for observation 12 4.8 Time schedule 12 5 Significance and creativity 13 6 List of References 13 Title and Initial Statement of Research Question Consumer perceptions of socially responsible consumption: Attitudes among Chinese and German business students- A comparative/ contrastive study Every single consumption choice that consumers make has a huge impact on the environment and the society. Consumers can influence the market by buying products that have a limited impact on the environment and the society. By taking social responsibility in consuming ethically, encourages further developments of the market for equitable products. On the one hand there are a large number of studies on socially responsible...
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...WHY ISO 26000 is an international standard which provides guidance for what it means to be a social responsible organisation. The standard is not a certification but provides guidance on social responsibility actions, and is strictly voluntary. It was launched in November 2010 after a substantial consultation processes with experts in over 75 countries, lead by the working group on social responsibility set up in 2004. It is intended to promote a common understanding of social responsibility, and to complement other instruments and initiatives for social responsibility, not replace them. | The ISO 26000 guidance has come about as a result of the need for organisations in the private and public sector to behave in a socially responsible way and to maximise their contribution to sustainable development. An organisation's performance in relation to the society in which it operates and its impacts on the environment is a critical measurement of its overall performance and its continued long-term operating effectiveness. As a guidance document ISO26000 encourages organisations to discuss their social responsibility issues and possible actions with all their stakeholders. It is intended to encourage them to go beyond legal compliance, recognising that compliance with the law is a fundamental duty of any organisation and an essential part of their social responsibility. An organisation should seek to integrate social responsibility through its decisions and activities, involving...
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...invest in a socially responsible company 4 Factors considered by the SRI funds/investors for investing into any company 4 Sources to gather the information for the decision making process 4 Different strategy used by the funds to make SRI decisions 5 6. Two examples of SRI funds: Composition and unique features 6 A. Triodos Sustainable Equity Fund 6 B. Calvert Capital Accumulation Fund Class C 6 7. A Company with SRI investment: Starbucks 7 About the company 7 Sustainability initiatives 7 Controversies 8 ESG Ratings 9 8. Conclusion 9 9. Appendices 10 10. References 10 1. What is SRI? Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) is sometimes referred to as “sustainable”, “socially conscious”, “mission,” “green” or “ethical” investing. In general, socially responsible investors are looking to promote concepts and ideals that they feel strongly about. The idea is that if oneinvests in companies that cause social or environmental harm, then one is profiting from their evil. SRI is an approach under which socially and environmentally conscious investors channel their funds towards those companies which have a positive impact on the community and environment, and avoid doing harm due to their operations. This approachcompels companies seeking a share of these investments to modify their practices to be eligible for such investments. Investors may be investment funds, or individual investors. Individual investors seeking to invest in a socially responsible...
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...instance, the change represents the need to understand how all three dimensions affect each other and companies ought to consciously create new consumer preferences. However, a lot of companies still are missing guidelines to implementing a marketing strategy of sustainability as an essential part, which is at the core of ensuring organizational, social, economic and environment growth while managing overconsumption issues (White, 2011). Current researches tend to focus on developing a more sustainable approach on product design, pricing, promotion and distribution when it comes to the sustainable business strategy and companies are widely integrating this approach. On the other hand, the theoretical practices of promoting sustainable consumption in customer-citizens are an emerging potential for further development of sustainability. As a...
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...what is right, fair, just or good, about what we ought to do, not just what can be done or what is most acceptable or expedient. Ethics allows for set standards and rules to be used to guide behaviours which form just one level of the considerations of CSR. The International Labour Office (2006) identifies CSR as giving consideration to operational impacts on society and affirming values in their internal methods, processes and external interactions – CSR is voluntary, enterprise-driven and refers to activities considered to exceed legal compliance. With the expectation that business will give as well as take from a society and environment in which it operates, the concept of social obligation proposes that a firm has obligations to area that spread beyond making profit. Additionally, the community expects socially and environmentally responsible behaviour practices; the so-called triple bottom line approach. This anticipation or obligation sees organisations voluntarily seizing more steps to enhance the quality of existence for employees and their families as well as for the local community and the society at large. It enables all such activities fluctuating from bestowing safe services and products to give a serving of company’s profit to welfare organisations. The social responsible attitude has come to...
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...Framework 14 Green Marketing 15 Environmental management 15 Why green marketing? 17 Marketing defined and corporate social responsibility 22 What is Green Marketing? 25 Green marketing strategies 28 Implications for organisations 30 Green Consumerism 34 Consumer behaviour research 35 The green consumer 38 The green buying process 41 Influences on purchase and consumption decisions 47 Global Warming and the Impacts of Climate Change 49 Human caused global warming 49 The impacts of climate change 50 The opposition to human caused global warming 52 Background Information 53 British Airways 54 Past and present 54 Carbon Offsetting 55 Datamonitor’s SWOT analysis 58 The British Green Consumers 59 Perception and Attitudes in Relation to the Environment 59 Information on the environment 62 Solutions to environmental problems 65 SWOT Analysis 67 Strengths 68 Weaknesses 71 Opportunities 73 Threats 75 Conclusion 76 List of Literature 78 List of Websites 80 Summary 81 Appendix 82 Introduction “During humankind’s recorded history, extensive and sophisticated consumption systems have evolved to meet the needs of the earth’s human population […] But with world population now estimated at approximately 6.0 billion and expected to surge to between...
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...environment. Corporate Social Responsibility refers to the “firm’s consideration of, and response to, issue beyond the narrow economic, technical, and legal requirements of the firm…(to) accomplish social benefits along with the traditional economic gains which the firm seek.”(Husted 2003). CSR was defined by European Commission (2007) is “a concept whereby companies integrate social and environmental concerns in their business operations and in their interaction with the stakeholders on a voluntary basis” following increasingly aware that responsible behaviour leads to sustainable business success. CSR is about managing change at company level in a socially responsible manner which can be viewed in two different dimensions: 1. Internal – socially responsible practices that mainly deal with employees and related to issues such as investing in human capital, health and safety and management change, while environmentally responsible practices related mainly to the management of natural resources and its usage in production 2. External – CSR beyond the company into the local community and involves a wide range of stakeholders such as business partners, suppliers, customers, public authorities, and NGOs that representing local communities as well as environment. A company should focus on areas such as economic, environmental and social when developing sustainability strategy (Szekely & Knorsch 2005). Sustainability strategy development can be based on legitimacy,...
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...Framework 14 Green Marketing 15 Environmental management 15 Why green marketing? 17 Marketing defined and corporate social responsibility 22 What is Green Marketing? 25 Green marketing strategies 28 Implications for organisations 30 Green Consumerism 34 Consumer behaviour research 35 The green consumer 38 The green buying process 41 Influences on purchase and consumption decisions 47 Global Warming and the Impacts of Climate Change 49 Human caused global warming 49 The impacts of climate change 50 The opposition to human caused global warming 52 Background Information 53 British Airways 54 Past and present 54 Carbon Offsetting 55 Datamonitor’s SWOT analysis 58 The British Green Consumers 59 Perception and Attitudes in Relation to the Environment 59 Information on the environment 62 Solutions to environmental problems 65 SWOT Analysis 67 Strengths 68 Weaknesses 71 Opportunities 73 Threats 75 Conclusion 76 List of Literature 78 List of Websites 80 Summary 81 Appendix 82 Introduction “During humankind’s recorded history, extensive and sophisticated consumption systems have evolved to meet the needs of the earth’s human population […] But with world population now estimated at approximately 6.0 billion and expected to surge to between...
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...international environmental groups such as World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and local organisations such as the Auckland Zoo (over the potential loss of Orang-utan forest habitat to palm oil plantations). The negative publicity from the palm oil debate created damaging ‘noise’ for Cadbury’s ongoing worldwide ethical brand building efforts and its high profile announcements that it would shortly be using the Fairtrade logo for the flagship Dairy Milk brand in key global markets, including Australia and New Zealand (Fairtrade Foundation 2009). Less than three months later Cadbury caved into the conservationists’ demands and reversed their palm oil policy (e.g. New Zealand Herald 17th August 2009). This case study illustrates the relevance of buyer behaviour theories...
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...Society today encompasses a multitude of various human communicative processes in which individuals deduce meaning from. Contrary to previous belief, communication is now seen as a means of self-development and establishment of individual and group identity in the seemingly ephemeral nature of communication trends. Semiotics and visual representation mediates our social worlds as we accord them high authority in the transmission of information and creation of meaningful experience. Similarly, intercultural communication provides shared understandings of the world and is a significant influence on individual and cultural identity formation. Through cross-cultural communication analysis, one can learn of how cultural and social interaction can shape a person’s micro and macro worlds through communicative processes. The study of semiotics has shed light on the nature in which individuals deduce meanings from mass media texts or visual signs. ‘Social and cultural life is invested with meaning and value by regular symbolic representations’ (Coupland & Gwyn 2003, p. 1). In a world increasingly dominated by visual signs, we find ourselves looking to these to construct meanings (Hall 1997). Through the study of semiotics and the notion of sign systems, I gained an understanding of the authority that people accord to visual representations that enables them to shape the mediated world and influence patterns of socialisation. Looking at the world from my own experience as a communicator...
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...WHAT IS CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OR CSR? For long it was argued that the role of businesses was purely economical and that economics was the parameter on the basis of which their success or failure was to be determined. Corporations, since eons, have been regarded as the providers of jobs, products and services and it was believed that they are only financially responsible and profit making is their only motive. But recent times have seen a departure from that tradition and now CSR is being taken up in a broader societal context, mainly due to globalisation and the change in the ecological balance. They stakeholders i.e. the employees, community, suppliers and shareholders are redefining the role of the corporations. As a result of this particular kind of shift, many organisations have started endorsing the idea of businesses leaving the purely economic front and blending in some societal dimension as well. THE HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF CSR: CSR is not a new concept. It has been there since always though not necessarily by this name. Various ancient scriptures mention that businesses should be run ethically and more importantly, they should benefit the deprived section of the society. It has always been said that those who are privileged must lend a helping hand to those who aren’t. Chanakya, the teacher and guardian of Chandragupta Maurya, in his book ‘Arthashastra’ emphasised that ethical means be used while operating businesses. It is often argued that the level...
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...5/3/2014 Topic Outline MARKETING ENVIRONMENT Principles of Marketing Lecture 2 Scanning the marketing environment Components of the marketing environment. Impact of the macro-environment. Impact of the micro-environment. Marketing Environment • Scanning the Marketing Environment Companies scan the marketing environment in order to change and adapt their marketing strategies – as it provides opportunities and threats. In doing this companies must be proactive, It is pointless to conduct environmental scanning unless marketing strategies are changed to fit with the environment. A company’s marketing environment consists of the actors and forces outside marketing that affect marketing management’s ability to build and maintain successful relationships with target customers. 1 5/3/2014 Components of the Marketing Environment Macro-environment Micro-environment Macroenvironment: Demographic Changing age structure of the population Changing family structure The larger societal forces The forces close to the that affect the whole company that affect its ability to serve its customers: microenvironment: Political Company Economic Competitors Demographic Suppliers Cultural Marketing Intermediaries Technological Customers Natural Publics Increasing diversity Better-educated, more white-collar, more professional population Geographic shifts in population Macroenvironment: Demographic Demography: The study of human population in terms of...
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...INTRODUCTION TO ETHICS WHAT IS ETHICS Ethics is a major branch of philosophy, encompassing right conduct and good life. It is significantly broader than the common conception of analyzing right and wrong. A central aspect of ethics is "the good life", the life worth living or life that is simply satisfying, which is held by many philosophers to be more important than moral conduct. Simply put, ethics involves learning what is right or wrong, and then doing the right thing -- but "the right thing" is not nearly as straightforward as conveyed in a great deal of business ethics literature. Most ethical dilemmas in the workplace are not simply a matter of "Should Bob steal from Jack?" or "Should Jack lie to his boss?" (Many ethicists assert there's always a right thing to do based on moral principle, and others believe the right thing to do depends on the situation -- ultimately it's up to the individual.) Many philosophers consider ethics to be the "science of conduct." Philosophers have been discussing ethics for at least 2500 years, since the time of Socrates and Plato. Many ethicists consider emerging ethical beliefs to be "state of the art" legal matters, i.e., what becomes an ethical guideline today is often translated to a law, regulation or rule tomorrow. Values which guide how we ought to behave are considered moral values, e.g., values such as respect, honesty, fairness, responsibility, etc. Statements around how these values are applied are sometimes called moral or ethical...
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...Toms Shoes- Case Study ------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary……………………………………………………....3 2. Situation Analysis .....................................................................................4 3. Analysis of case issues using marketing theory 3.1. The trends in the marketing environment …………………….. 5 3.2. Creating value for customers.......................................................6 3.3. Fitting in with the changing marketing environment...................7 4. Conclusion...........………………………………………………………....8 5. References………………………………………………………………...9 1. Executive Summary In the era of globalization and highly competitive business world, it is the goals and desire of every company to take a good portion of market share for their products in the market place. People in different geographic locations are more connected ever than before with advancement of internet and air travels. Online blogs, YouTube and social networking web sites have changed new socio culture across demographics especially in younger generations. Consequently, consumers are also becoming well informed about the brand and products, value conscious and their purchase decision are made beyond the quality of product and its face value alone. The aim of this study is to analyse the key concepts of Toms Shoes Company marketing strategies and important factors that influence the success of this relatively new shoes...
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...------------------------------------------------- Table of Contents 1. Executive Summary……………………………………………………....3 2. Situation Analysis .....................................................................................4 3. Analysis of case issues using marketing theory 3.1. The trends in the marketing environment …………………….. 5 3.2. Creating value for customers.......................................................6 3.3. Fitting in with the changing marketing environment...................7 4. Conclusion...........………………………………………………………....8 5. References………………………………………………………………...9 1. Executive Summary In the era of globalization and highly competitive business world, it is the goals and desire of every company to take a good portion of market share for their products in the market place. People in different geographic locations are more connected ever than before with advancement of internet and air travels. Online blogs, YouTube and social networking web sites have changed new socio culture across demographics especially in younger generations. Consequently, consumers are also becoming well informed about the brand and products, value conscious and their purchase decision are made beyond the quality of product and its face value alone. The aim of this study is to analyse the key concepts of Toms Shoes Company marketing strategies and important factors that influence the success of this relatively new shoes company under current market environment...
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