Principles of Responsible Business

Question: Case study on corporate social responsibility. Answer: Main arguments Tarek Kedway has been the manager of the corporate affairs and the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) head at Swiss Group. His overall goal since his recruitment since 2009 has to help to the society development activities and CSR. Tarek was sort an approval from CEO to initiate the CSR program and the approval that he got was just verbal no documentation. (Oxford Business Group, 2014) It can be arguably when there was depression in the economic and political circumstances in 2012, the Swiss Group CEO and top management refused to offer them formal approval for the funding of the SME projects in CSR. They had previously agreed but as a result of the meltdown they refused the funding. To make the matters worse is that the CSR strategy is among the company goals for the development. The CEO and the top managers knew this but they refused with the approvals for funding (Oxford Business Group, 2014). Reasons and rationalizations The Group CEO and the senior managers know there is funding allocated for the CSR program, but do not wish to allocate. The CEO shows not concerns of the CSR program and who it will benefit. The CSR program purpose is to help the less fortunate women who took care of their children and the families financially (Oxford Business Group, 2015). It is very unethical for the Swiss Group CEO and the top management approve funding to help the women and their children. The rationale of the target group were the women since they are regarded as the final consumer of the food products. This is in effect of the breakdown of the economic and political circumstances caused the collapse of the CSR program and the denial of the approval in the first instance. The management and CEO did not want the things to be changed the way they ran at the company by Tarek asking for CSR funding (Oxford Business Group, 2014). The group CEO was uncommitted to the company activities of the CSR program. The budget is not approved to benefits, the community and they have their reasons not to approve it, is seen as wastage of the funds of the company. Whats at stake for the key parties? The reputation, image of the Swiss Group would be destroyed among the stakeholders in the society and the customer if they backed down on their promises of the CSR programs. They had identified 100 families in the three governorates since, Tarek had done market scan with Be Positive. (Ahram, 2011) If the stakeholders, and the customers found out that they had backed this would greatly damage on the image of the Swiss Group and its community development strategy as well. What could you use to influence and argue to those who disagree As part of corporate social responsibility of the companies, it is ethical for the Swiss Group to provide development to the community. They are entitled to offer something back and help the society that is within them. If the good image for the company is to be maintained, and the stakeholders, they need to serve the community by implementing certain program like the CSR (Tanimoto, 2013). The CEO and the top management should note that the CSR program is part of the obligation of the organization and approve the funds to facilitate the program. Most powerful and rational response I have come to note that the company is not intending to play its crucial role of community development program that it should. The main source of the problem to delay these program is the Swiss Group CEO and the top or senior Managers. In my opinion, if the image and the reputation of the company is to be maintained it should be ethical that these programs are implemented and the appropriate funding providing. In this way, the shareholders and the customers in those community would see the Group cares for their well-being (Oxford Business Group, 2015). Who should the argument be made to and what context The argument should be made to Group CEO and the chief Financial officer and it should be made verbally. Individual script In my script I have used a narrator in order to introduce the facts of the case, and Tarek Kedwany conscience to highlight how he thought of certain things and the choices he made on them. The main character are Tarek, the Group CEO and the senior Managers. Narrator: Tarek Kedwany is the Manager of the corporate affairs and the head of the Corporate Social Responsibility at the Swiss Group. His main roles since 2009, is help on the society development activities and the CSR programs. In the year 2010, he sought for an approval from the Swiss Group CEO to undertake a CSR program. He was given the approval verbally without any documentation. Things got worse when there was breakdown in the economic and political circumstances in Egypt, resulting to fluctuation of the raw materials, unfair practices from competitors and high cost of living. The CEO and the top management refused to give him the formal approval for the CSR program. There was a conflict of interest between these groups, knowing very well that there were funds allocated for the same. Tarek: why are they refusing to approve and the strategy of the Swiss Group clearly shows that one and half percent of the net profit is allocated for these programs? Narrator: and.. Tarek: I wonder why they are refusing to approve and the reputation of the Swiss Group depend on this. Narrator: and Tarek: I know they can afford the funding for the program and I need to articulate and talk with the senior managers in a better way. Narrator: Tarek knew he needed to articulate a different strategy to approach this issue to be approved. Tarek conscience: I need to implement a strategy, first by looking at all the angels to make sure that the plan is not disapproved again. Tarek: What about explaining that have consulted the Be Positive and they have already done market scan and waiting for project to go ahead. Surely they would not want me to tell them it is canceled in this case they would greatly loss. Narrator: Tarek schedules a meeting with the CEO and the chief financial officer to push on his agenda once more for approval. He wrote comments, on what would go wrong, and reviewed severally on any other additional challenges that may occurs leading to his rejection. Tarek: can I speak to you. Group CEO: Of course you can. Come in. Tarek: I have been working on the issue of the CSR program and it has come to my attention that a highly reputed organization should pay attention to allocating funds for the CSR programs. Moreover, I have contacted the Be Positive to carry a market scan, they are just waiting for my response so that the project moves forward. If the project is suspended the Group risk damaging its image and its community development strategy. All I need is funding of at least 30% of total estimated budget. Group CEO: Okay. I think your argument makes a point, your budget of that amount will be approved by the Chief Finance Officer to cater for the 35 families. Tarek: Than you. I appreciate this news. References Ahram Online, (2011), Egypts industry on the rebound, Retrieved 11 December 2015. Oxford Business Group, (2014), Exports to drive Egyptian FMCG sector, Retrieved 6 November. Oxford Business Group, (2015), Positive signals for Egypts FMCG sector, Retrieved. Tanimoto, K. (2013). Sanpo-yoshi and CSR. In Encyclopedia of Corporate Social Responsibility (pp. 2107-2114).