Fulfillment of social responsibilities as A business survival strategy
(A Case Study Of Seven Up Bottling Company Plc Ninth Mile Corner, Ameke Ngwo)
In today’s corporate landscape, fulfilling social responsibilities is not just a moral imperative but also a strategic necessity for businesses to thrive and endure. Embracing social responsibility initiatives enhances a company’s reputation, fosters trust among stakeholders, and cultivates a positive brand image. By actively engaging in philanthropic activities, environmental sustainability efforts, and ethical business practices, companies can strengthen their relationships with customers, employees, investors, and communities. Moreover, integrating social responsibility into business strategies can mitigate risks, attract top talent, and drive innovation. Embracing these responsibilities demonstrates a commitment to long-term sustainability and resilience in an ever-evolving marketplace, ultimately positioning businesses for enduring success.
For an organization to be functional individuals must be employed. First, there will be recruitment, which is used to draw the attention of the individuals.
Second, selections will be made based on a set criteria or standard and lastly these selected being the staff of the organization will be placed in job positions.
In seven up bottling company plc, there are numerous staff of different categories. As a result of this, the researchers intends to find out whether these staff were employed, through rigorous processes, though with greater emphasis to how they were selected and placed. Whether there motives behind their selection and placement, qualities.
For these purposes, conceptual literature, interview and survey approach were used among others, it was found that these exercises do actually that which that which the company selections were based on merit, placement were not based on suitability, the employee maladjustment occurs as a result of wrong placement, and that high supervisory cost is associated to wrong choice in selection and placement.
Thereafter the researcher concluded that for organizations to attain their goals and objection, selection and placement exercises should insure that right man for the job through the analysis of there requirement of each position and then find an individual whose qualifications measure up to requirements. Also, that executive should be men of sound judgment, well balance training and quantities of a leadership. And finally, that employment personnel should boost their moral by receiving management training programme.
Okolo Geraldine D.
Researcher
Title page
Approval page
Dedication
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Table of contents
CHAPTER ONE
1.1 Background of the study
1.2 Statement of the problem
1.3 Objectives of the study
1.4 Research questions
1.5 Hypothesis formulation
1.6 Significance of the study
1.7 Scope of the study
1.8 Limitation of the study
1.9 Definition of the terms
CHAPTER TWO
2.0 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Introduction
2.1 An overview of the concept of social responsibility
2.2 Social responsibility of organization of their respective stakeholders
2.3 The need for social responsibility
2.4 Social responsibility as a business survival strategy
References
CHAPTER THREE
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY
3.0 INTRODUCTION
3.1 Research design
3.2 Sources and methods of data collection
3.3 Population of the study
3.4 Sample size determination
3.5 Validation of the instrument
3.6 Reliability of the instrument
3.7 Method of data collection
3.8 Method of data analysis
References
CHAPTER FOUR
DATA PRESENTATION ANALYSIS
4.1 Presentation and analysis of data
4.2 Testing of hypothesis
4.3 Summary of findings
CHAPTER FIVE
DISCUSSION, RECOMMENDATION AND CONCLUSION
5.1 Discussion of results findings
5.2 Conclusions
5.3 Recommendation
5.4 Suggestions for further study
BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX
INTRODUCTION
1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In the early 1990’s, the mission of business was primarily economic. But within the past few decades there have been pronounced changes in the views of many business managers about their social responsibilities, which have paralled and partly reflected the changing priorities and expectations of society about business social functions. This is because business relies on the society for existence. In view of this, the interrelation between organizations and their environment has become increasingly important. The society managers and organizations are quite aware and conscious of this inter-dependence. As a result of this, organizations especially ins the business sector are no longer viewed as totally private endeavours there are free to pursue their own ends as long as they break no law. Instead, their actions are seen as having public return to owners and the outcome of the motion is a rising public domour for social responsibility on the part of business as well as other social organization by the business people have the task of knowing what to do to unreel the demand of various claimants for social responsibility. All these claims have made the issue of social responsibility a concern for the business generally.
Social responsibility is essentially concerned with public interest. It is the intelligent and objective concern for the welfare of the society which restrains individual and corporate behaviour from ultimately destructive activities, no matter how immediately profitable and which leads in the direction of positive contribution to human betterment.
The idea of social responsibility recognizes that each person is attached to an extended social system on which he or she is partly dependent. Consequently, certain obligation or social responsibilities arise from this attachment. Business people should also consider the needs and interest of others that might be affected by their actions.
Public needs have changed and this has led to changed expectations. Society gave business its charter to exist and the charter can be amended or revoked at any time that business fails to love up to society expectations and need.
The creation of a better social environment benefits both society and business. The society gains through better neighbourhoods and employment opportunities cleaner and safer neighbourhoods on the other hand mean a more stable community in which to operate. Fewer unemployed persons reduce the chance of social unrest’s and provide additional incomes to purchase the firm’s product or services. It is better than they (society) should reap from the surplus generated by the organization in which they have given their best.
1.1 BRIEF HISTORY OF THE CASE STUDY
Organization is a multinational company and are establish in many part of the world including Nigeria.
The company went on to create more branches. One of these branches is resided in Enugu State, Udi local government area of Ameke Ngwo, along Nsukka express road. It was established in the year 2001.
Over the years, the company diversified and expanded it operations to the production and marketing of drinks. This product include 7up, pepsi cola, mirinda, team.
The company is fully committed to backward integration and self sufficiency and has made considerable progress in its effort towards satisfying customers need.
7up Nigeria Limited range of quality products id distributed and sold at uniform and affordable prices all over the country through an established and tested distributors, supervised by a well trained sales force.
The company has a direct staff of about 980 in this sites and various distribution points throughout the city.
The company’s goal is to lead in all its core markets it’s fast moving consumer’s product and achieve strong profitable growth by being the best at identifying and meeting consumer’s need through delivery of superior value products.
The company shall leverage its heritage for its employees and environment sustaining positive partnership with its suppliers and customers whilst maintaining high ethical standard in corporate behaviour and will represent a secure valuable and growing asset to its stake holders.
7up Nigeria limited has been dedicated to the production of top quality brands for Nigerian for over many years.
1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
This study titled “Fulfillment of social responsibilities as a business survival strategy” attempts to determine how an organisation such as 7up bottling company plc fulfilling its obligation to the necessary stake holders can serve as a strategy for carrying out effective business activities peacefully.
Most times, all these claims made by the various stakeholders are two much on the organizations in that organizations cannot solve all society’s problem with their limited resources, yet they are expected to get actively involved in getting them solved. In trying to ease the load, most organization indulge in some unethical acts which most time fire back at them. In the case of the organizations social responsibility to the government, which include paying of tax and other financial obligation. Most times organizations neglect this obligation and allow these financial obligation to accumulate. Government enact rules and regulations which seem to be costly to business and restrict flexibility in decision making.
In trying to avoid the wrath of the regulations on them most organisation give part of the accumulated financial obligations to some set of people as bribe which of course will not be recorded anywhere.
But in the long run, when the records will be reviewed those organisations will still be seen as owing.
Likewise, in the community, most times organizations or firm are given a particular area or zone where they site their organizations or firms. But most times, some organisations bribe their ways and site their firm in the residential area. Their waste products pollute the environment which can cause hostile actions from the community and which will affect the organisation because the organisation needs a conducive environment for its activities.
1. The stakeholders makes ambiguous claims which the organisations cannot solve with their limited resources.
2. Most organisation indulge in some unethical acts which most times fire back on them.
3. Government enact rules and regulations which seems to be costly to business.
4. Some organisations site their firms in the residential area and their waste products pollute the environment.
1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY
The primary purpose of this study is to determine and identify the impact of fulfillment of social responsibility in 7up bottling company plc.
In more specific terms, other purposes include:
1. To find out whether fulfillment of social responsibility can contribute to business survival.
2. To find out modalities adopted by 7up bottling company plc fulfilling its social responsibility to its environment.
3. To determine the importance derived from the fulfillment of social responsibility.
4. To determine the various ways by which organisations can carry out their social responsibilities to their environment.
5. To identify the adverse effects of non-fulfillment of social responsibilities.
6. To proffer to problem area where deficiency in the fulfillment of social responsibility dominates and also proffer ideas that will help 7up bottling company plc in fulfilling its social responsibility to its various stakeholders.
1.4 RESEARCH QUESTIONS
Fulfillment of social responsibility has contributed greatly to business survival of organisations especially for organisations with long term plan. This is so because if an organisation folds up before the long or medium run because of a hostile environment caused by non fulfillment or social responsibility all the efforts geared towards survival in the long run becomes frailties.
In view of this study, the following questions should be asked to address the following central issues.
1. How does the organisation utilize the usefulness of fulfillment of social responsibilities?
2. To whom is the organisation socially responsible?
3. What do the organisation and its environment expect from each other.
4. How does the environment define social responsibility?
5. What particular responsibility should be given priority?
6. What is the need of social responsibility to organisations?
7. Why is social responsibility regarded as a business survival strategy?
1.5 HYPOTHESIS FORMULATION
Hypothesis as we all know is an intelligent guess. A tentative statement, and a conjectural statement of the relationship between two variables. Therefore the hypothesis of this study were stated as follows:
Ho: Social responsibility has not helped in development of host community.
Hi: Social responsibility has helped in development of host community
Ho: Social responsibility has not improved seven up bottling company service to customers.
Hii: Social responsibility has improved seven up bottling company service to customers.
Ho: Seven up bottling company has not contributed in solving unemployment problem in the host community.
Hiii: Seven up bottling company has contributed in solving unemployment problem in the host community.
1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
In essence, research work is aimed at serving certain significance in relation to individual, group of individuals or a particular event.
The significance lies in the fact that the success of an organisation in business survival in its environment. The business survival is dependent to a large extent on fulfilling the organisations social responsibility to its environment.
The community, managers and organisations are conscious of the spirit of give and take existing between the business and its environment and demand strongly that the role of business should not only concentrate on rendering services to customers and paying dividends to shareholders but also should focus attention to the needs and aspirations of factors within its environment. As a result of the above, fulfillment of social responsibility is very significant towards the survival of business.
Seven up bottling company plc should be socially responsible to its stakeholders in order to enjoy business survival. The result of the study is significance to both the organisation and its environment. It will enable the organisation after carrying out its social responsibility to boldly demand and enjoy the obligation of the environment to the organisation.
1.7 SCOPE OF THE STUDY
This study is aimed at investigating the fulfillment of social responsibility by an organisation to its environment. The aim and objective of the researcher is to discover the effects of fulfillment of social responsibility by some organisations to their environment. It is narrowed down to the activities of seven-up bottling company plc as a case study. The study goes further to bring into focus some of the problem associated with non-fulfillment of social responsibility by an organisation to its environment.
1.8 LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
Not withstanding the area of the study covered during the research was greatly affected by certain constraints, which become unavoidable within the time limit.
1. Time Constraint: The research was constrained by the time limit. This posed a threat to the successful coverage intended in the course of this study.
2. Cost factor: It is not usual that the prevailing economic predicament posed to a great extent, a problem in procuring the whole material. Information needed and other relevant statistical data. However, the researcher was able to scale through the hurdle in availing herself of the relevant data contained herein.
Notwithstanding the foregoing limitation associated with this study, the project was well conceived and concluded to serve the purpose for which it is intended for.
1.9 DEFINITION OF THE TERMS
1. Social Responsibility: This is an attempt by business organisation to compensate and live up to its obligation to those who have helped in one way or the other.
2. Stakeholders: These are the various groups to which an organisation is socially responsible.
3. Organisation: This refers to seven up bottling company plc.
4. Back fire: The organisation later suffer the consequence of non-fulfillment of social responsibility.
5. Unethical: Not a moral act or an underived behaviour.
Fulfillment of social responsibilities as A business survival strategy:
Fulfilling social responsibilities can indeed be a viable and even essential business survival strategy in today’s world. This concept is often referred to as Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and it involves a company’s efforts to contribute positively to society beyond its core business functions. Here are several reasons why fulfilling social responsibilities can be crucial for business survival:
- Enhanced Reputation and Brand Image: Engaging in socially responsible activities, such as supporting charitable causes or implementing sustainable practices, can boost a company’s reputation and brand image. Consumers are increasingly conscious of the ethical and social impact of their purchasing decisions, and they tend to favor businesses that align with their values.
- Consumer Loyalty and Trust: Companies that demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility tend to build stronger relationships with their customers. When consumers trust that a business is doing good in the world, they are more likely to remain loyal and make repeat purchases.
- Attracting and Retaining Talent: Employees are often drawn to organizations that are socially responsible. A company that actively supports social causes and operates ethically is more likely to attract top talent and retain skilled employees. This can reduce recruitment and training costs, ultimately benefiting the bottom line.
- Reduced Regulatory Risks: Governments and regulatory bodies are increasingly imposing requirements related to corporate social responsibility. By proactively addressing these issues, businesses can mitigate the risk of legal and regulatory challenges, fines, and reputational damage.
- Competitive Advantage: Fulfilling social responsibilities can provide a competitive edge. It can differentiate a company from its competitors and give it a unique selling proposition that appeals to socially conscious consumers.
- Risk Management: Socially responsible businesses tend to be better prepared to handle crises. Their positive reputation and stakeholder goodwill can help them weather negative events, such as product recalls or scandals, with less long-term damage.
- Access to Capital: Investors, including socially responsible investment funds, increasingly consider a company’s CSR performance when making investment decisions. By demonstrating a commitment to social responsibility, businesses can access a broader pool of capital and potentially secure better financing terms.
- Long-Term Sustainability: Operating in a socially responsible manner often goes hand in hand with sustainability practices. Sustainable operations can reduce costs, improve resource efficiency, and ensure long-term viability in a world with finite resources.
- Community Engagement: Being socially responsible means actively engaging with the communities in which a company operates. This can lead to stronger community support, which can be invaluable during challenging times or when expanding operations.
- Consumer Demand: Many consumers are willing to pay a premium for products and services from socially responsible companies. Meeting this demand can lead to higher profit margins and increased sales.
In summary, fulfilling social responsibilities is not just a moral obligation; it’s increasingly becoming a strategic imperative for businesses. Companies that recognize the benefits of CSR and integrate it into their business models are more likely to thrive in a changing business landscape where sustainability, ethics, and social impact play significant roles.