Sustainability/Corporate Responsibility Analysis Assignment

BA3102 – #2 Sustainability/Corporate Responsibility Analysis Assignment

The objective of this assignment is to:

· Provide you with an opportunity to explore and compare the sustainability efforts and strategy of two specific, competitive organizations. We will use publicly traded companies for this assignment to ensure access to company disclosures, websites, etc.

· Provide you with the chance to analyze how and where stakeholder needs and business needs drive sustainability strategies

· Help you begin to evaluate possible employers

Instructions:

· Select two publically traded companies that compete in an industry sector that interests you. Make sure that both organizations have publicized a clear position/strategy (or lack of one) to demonstrate sustainability and/or corporate responsibility and that their position and effort(s) have been covered by the press.

· Review annual reports and press releases to understand exactly what each organization is focusing on regarding these opportunities AND WHY THEY ARE DOING SO. Read at least 2-3 articles about the efforts/resources each organization is currently investing in and the results/impact that have been created, then complete the following grid. Do not write a separate essay – please just complete the grid.

· You should read articles the organizations post on the organization website; however, keep in mind that 1) they must be actual articles, with authors, citations etc. and 2) referencing articles from multiple sources representing diverse perspectives will improve your grade.

· Complete the grid that follows. To complete the assignment, download this document, fill in the boxes (this is a WORD document that will expand as you type in it), then submit the assignment electronically in Canvas. You will receive instructions on how to do this in class and the instructions will also be posted in Canvas. You must submit your assignment as a WORD document or the grader will not be able to read it.

· You must submit this assignment on time! Any submission received after midnight on the due date listed in the syllabus will receive a letter grade deduction for every 24 hours late.

Your name:

Is English your second language?

	Business #1	Business #2
Business name
Headquarters Location
List the key stakeholders the business is accountable to or interested in
Describe the sustainability efforts the business is currently investing effort in AND which stakeholders each effort is focused toward.
Does the business differentiate sustainability from corporate responsibility?
Please Rate	Quality of the overall sustainability efforts	A	B	C	D	F	A	B	C	D	F
	Visibility of the strategy/efforts	A	B	C	D	F	A	B	C	D	F
	Positive results to date	A	B	C	D	F	A	B	C	D	F
	Positive results/impact expected, next 12 months	A	B	C	D	F	A	B	C	D	F
	Level of financial investment	A	B	C	D	F	A	B	C	D	F
What message do you think the business is trying to communicate to you, as a consumer/citizen, through these efforts? Be specific, share examples that describe where/how this message is being communicated…and why!
What do you believe is the most positive aspect of these efforts? Why?
What aspect(s) of these efforts could produce negative impact? Why?.
What advice would you give the decision makers of this business to improve their reputation/stakeholder engagement?
What can you determine about the financial health of the business based on what you have read on their website or in the press?
Do their sustainability/CR efforts contribute to the financial health of the organization? How?
What have you learned about CSR that influences you most as a prospective employee by completing this assignment? Why?