CSR and Actual Business Performance - Research Proposal Example

RESEARCHERS: Methodology Review Form Section Research Problem, Significance, Question(s), 1 Research Problem the research problem your study will investigate, including its background. See Instructions. The research problem is to establish a correlation between CSR and actual business performance. Even with the numerous studies on Corporate Social Responsibility, there is yet to be in place empirical evidence on the precise link between CSR and business performance, this gap is what the study seeks to fill. 1.2 Purpose of the Research State the purpose of the study. Typically, the purpose is to contribute to knowledge and solve the research problem. See Instructions. The key purpose of this study will be to ascertain the existence of any correlation, either positive or negative, between CSR and actual business performance. The study equally seeks to establish and define any existing trends for measuring business performance in relation to existing strategy. It is also the purposes of this research to establish the impact of CSR on business performance focusing on key performance indicators which include market value, revenue and shareholder value. The study will as well have the purpose of establishing the approaches for effectively measuring the impact of CSR on business performance. 1.3 Significance of the Problem. Describe the significance of your study’s investigation of the research problem. Include a statement of the study’s particular significance to the field of Organization and Management. See Instructions. With a clear understanding on actual effects of Corporate Social Responsibility on an organization’s performance, companies will accurately spend their resources on CSR activities that yield optimal results. Establishing this correlation will also help in instituting CSR as core business strategy, for any organization seeking improved performance (Kaufmann & Olaru, 2012).Since the act of Corporate Social Responsibility has a direct impact on the society, this study, to a larger extent, will increase the participation of companies in community betterment projects through CSR. 1.4 Research Question Write out your research question. If there are sub-questions or more than one, number them accordingly. See Instructions. (1)Is there a significant positive correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility and actual business performance? (2)Are there existing trends of measuring business performance in relation to strategy and are the key indicators of business performance valid? (3)Does Corporate Social Responsibility, directly or indirectly, affect key indicators of business performance including shareholder value, market value and revenue directly or indirect? (4)Are the approaches used in measuring the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on actual business performance effective? 1.5 Hypotheses For each quantitative question and sub-question (sub-Q), list hypotheses for their investigation. Give nulls and alternates for each sub-Q. See Instructions. The research hypothesis (H1) is: Corporate Social Responsibility has an effect on a company’s overall performance while the null hypothesis (Ho) is that there is no relationship between CSR and performance. H1: µ (CSR) > π (Profits) H0: µ (CSR) =< π (Profits) 1.6 Method overview Briefly describe the methodologies and methods (data collection, statistical models, and analysis) that will be used to conduct the study. The analysis and interpretation of data will be guided by the research objectives. Objective two three and four will be analyzed using descriptive statistics of frequencies and percentages and weighted mean, while objective one will be analyzed using inferential statistics of Pearson correlation since it helps in determining the relationship between the dependent and independent variables under study. 1.7 Dissertation Title Do not write the title until Items 1.1-1.6 are complete. See Instructions. Corporate Social Responsibility and how that impact business performance on corporations listed on the stock market. Section 2. Overall Methodology and Approach 2.1 Research Design Describe your research design in words. See Instructions. The study will be descriptive/normative and correlative in nature. It will describe the various variables related to corporate social responsibility using descriptive statistics, while it will be correlative in nature since it will attempt to determine whether there existed a noteworthy relationship between CSR and business performance. Hypothesis will be tested using Pearson coefficient of correlation(r), as well as p-value and alpha, to decide whether the null hypothesis will be rejected and the alternative accepted or the null hypothesis will be accepted. 2.2 Approach Quantitative approaches include experimental, quasi-experimental, or non-experimental. Please state the approach, then how it is consistent with your research problem/question. See Instructions for details. For the purposes of comparison and weighing of alternatives, the advantages and disadvantages of the quantitative approach are also presented. The advantages of the quantitative approach lie in its structured and systematic nature, usually carried out through survey methodology. This is typified as the most suitable method for short-handed researchers. Also, the quantitative approach allows the researcher to gather relevant information without the unnecessary costs and difficulty that is attendant in qualitative methods. Specifically, survey instruments usually do not require follow-up questions or profound inquiry. Often, these questions are taken on its face without necessitating a more extensive probing. For instances needing clarifications, group discussions and interviews normally suffice. Follow-up interview are mostly resorted to only when a comprehensive and detailed awareness of a specific subject of inquiry is required. 2.3 Methodological Model Describe the statistical model. If using a particular quantitative model (e.g., structural equation modeling or a specific kind of regression analysis), describe it here. The model must align with the research question. If not, type N/A. See Instructions for details. N/A 2.4 Rationale Discuss how your design is suited to answering your research question(s). See Instructions for details. The topic will be analyzed through the positivist lens which proposes that perceptual data derived from sensory experience and logically and mathematically treated is the source of all knowledge. The approach has been shown to provide better measurements in all areas be they classifications or levels; besides it allows for the monitoring of trends over time (Creswell, 2008). Since it provides for statistical manipulation, the researcher can find statistical correlations hence have a clearer picture on how the key variables; CSR and actual business performance relate. The conclusion will be derived from observable and provable facts besides, the study is predictive in nature and quantitative methods can be more effective than qualitative in for predictive studies (Creswell, 2008). Section 3. Framework, Constructs, Variables, Operational Definitions 3.1 Theoretical/Conceptual Framework Describe the business theory base that guides or focuses this study or defines the constructs it will investigate. See Instructions. By definition, conceptual theoretical framework is a structure that has the ability to support a theory on any work of research (Creswell, 2008). For this study, it is our theory that Corporate Social Responsibility has an ultimate effect on an organization’s profitability. 3.2 Unit(s) of Analysis Describe the unit(s) of analysis for this study. Typically, the unit of analysis will be individual or group. Multiple research questions may require different units of analysis. See Instructions. The study will focus on individual from different organizations. This will help in analysing individual organization practices of CSR as opposed to group focused analysis where generalization tends to sum up ideas and information. 3.3 Constructs Define each construct required by the research question and title. Provide citations showing your theoretical framework. Number each construct. See Instructions. The view of CSR in your organization This will be geared towards getting the overall view of CRS by respondents. Factors that influence application of CSR by organizations It is apparent that many organizations fail to practice CSR due to several factors Solutions to these factors Importance of CSR 3.4 Variables (Definitions of Constructs as variables) Define each construct (in Item 3.3) as a variable. Provide citations to theoretical framework or previous research supporting the selection of variable type. See Instructions. 3.5 Operational Definitions Present an operational definition for each construct you will measure (with citations for published measures). See Instructions. The perspective- the duty to earn profit for owners Legal perspective- the compliance of the business with the law Ethical perspective- what is right, just and fair, especially to the society 3.6 Relationships among Variables 1) State the relationships between or among variables. Ensure consistency with research question and title. 2) Draw a picture of the relationship of the relationship of the DVs, IV and any other variables with the appropriate directional arrows. See Instuctions. CSR revolves around the obligations of an organization to all its shareholders. Basically, it has four scopes. They include: economic, legal, ethical and the issue of voluntary and philanthropic (Gioia, Schultz & Corley, 2000). The economic perspective entails the duty to earn profit for owners. The legal perspective entails the compliance of the business with the law. The ethical perspective require the business to not only work for profit but to ensure that ,it does what is right, just and fair, especially to the society. The relationship between CSR and business performance, is that CSR enables a business to have a good performance (Horrigan, 2009). The issue of voluntary and philanthropic is ensuring that human welfare and goodwill are promoted per say. 3.7 Contributions to the Field. Your study should make a contribution to your field based on the approach used to conduct the research. Describe how your study is grounded in and/or adds to knowledge in the field of organization and management or information technology. Participants in this research will be of great importance. This is correct because they will provide the research with primary data/information to study. Although other secondary literatures will be of help to this study, participants of this research will provide fast hand information regarding application of corporate social responsibility in their organizations. This helps the researcher to have a deeper insight of the phenomena under investigation. The findings of this paper will be useful in various ways. Findings of this study will help organizations improve on CSR. It is apparent that no single study has ever elucidated the issue of CSR. In this case, this paper will highly contribute in the field of management. Section 4. Population and Sampling 4.1 The Population Describe the larger group (population) of people, or data in which your study is interested. Do NOT describe the actual sample here. See Instructions. According to Gregory (2003), target population is defined as all constituents of a real or hypothetical set of groups, events or objects to which an investigator wishes to generalize the results of the study. This study will essentially target different companies as the principal respondents. 4.2 The Sample Frame and Sample Describe the characteristics of your Sample Frame, and sample, including (A) demographics, (B) inclusion criteria if any; (C) exclusion criteria if any. See Instructions. After obtaining permission from the administration, the researcher will target managers of selected companies. They are vital in this study because they contain a comprehensively understanding of how their companies handle the issue of CSR. 4.3 Sampling Procedures Describe in detail the (A) recruiting, (B) selecting, and (C) assigning-to-groups procedures you will follow for obtaining participants (your sample). Include citation(s) supporting the sampling methods. See Instructions. Gregory, (2003) defines sampling as the process by which a relatively small number of individuals, objects or events are selected and analyzed in order to find out something about the entire population from which it is selected. The study will use stratified random sampling. It will involve identifying sub groups of the population representative of the percentages of those same subgroups in the general population being studied. 4.4 Sample Size Provide anticipated sample size, how it was calculated, and why it is appropriate for your research question. The calculation must be related to the statistical model. See Instructions. The researcher will randomly sample a total of 5 companies in the U.S. The sampling units will be 2 fast-food companies, 2 industrial companies and 1 logistics company. From each sampled company, stratified sampling will be used in each to get two strata representing male and female. From each stratum, researcher will randomly select 10 male and 10 female through balloting. Therefore, from each company, sample size will be 20.This will give a total of 100 company workers. 4.5 Rationale Describe how selection procedures and sample size are consistent with research question. Indicate resources consulted to make these decisions. See Instructions In the effort to find answers about correlation between CSR and business performance, the selected sample size and procedure can be argued to present a comprehensive study. 4.6 Ethical Considerations (45 CFR 46; APA Ethical Principles) Identify ethical issues involved in sampling procedures. Is there any potential conflict of interest? (Key Belmont principle: equity) (IRB Application will describe how they are dealt with.) See Instructions) It is apparent that ethical consideration should be applied when sampling population to participate in the study. Selection of balanced demographic size is important. This ensures gender equity in the research. It is also ethical to randomly select participants. This ensures that bias is minimised in the study. Section 5. Hypotheses and Data Types 5.1 Restate research question(s). Copy and paste Item 1.4. Include each sub-question, numbered sequentially. (1)Is there a significant positive correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility and actual business performance? (2)Are there existing trends of measuring business performance in relation to strategy and are the key indicators of business performance valid? (3)Does Corporate Social Responsibility, directly or indirectly, affect key indicators of business performance including shareholder value, market value and revenue directly or indirect? (4)Are the approaches used in measuring the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on actual business performance effective? 5.2 Quantitative Hypotheses For each quantitative question and sub-question (sub-Q), list hypotheses for their investigation. Give nulls and alternates for each sub-Q. Copy from Section 1. See Instructions. (1)There is a significant positive correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility and actual business performance. There is no significant positive correlation between Corporate Social Responsibility and actual business performance. (2) There is existing trends of measuring business performance in relation to strategy and are the key indicators of business performance valid. There are no existing trends of measuring business performance in relation to strategy and are the key indicators of business performance valid. (3) The approaches used in measuring the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on actual business performance are effective. The approaches used in measuring the impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on actual business performance are effective. 5.3 Type(s) of Data Complete the table rows for each hypotheses-set numbered in Item 5.2. Insert cursor in first cell, type #, then simply “Tab” from cell to cell. If more rows are needed, use “enter” key to add rows within the last row. Hypothesis # Dependent Variable Name & Level of Measurement Independent Variable and Level of Measurement (Including moderating and mediating variables) Corporate social responsibility- this can be measured by economic prosperity, ethical considerations, and legal perspective in an organization Economic perspective- this can be measured by the economic prosperity of the organization Ethical perspective- this can be measured by how well the organization treats its employees and customers Legal perspective- this can be measured by the way the organization addresses matters pertaining legality of its operations. Section 6. Measures, Field Tests, Data Collection, and Analysis: Quantitative (Chapters One, Section F & Chapter Three, Sections E, F, ) 6.1 Measures List (by sub-question number) and describe each data collection instrument or measurement tool you will use. Include (A) citations for published measures, (B) data type(s) generated by each measure, and (C) available information (including validity & reliability coefficients). See Instructions. Data collection is gathering empirical evidence in order to gain new insights about a situation and answer questions that prompt undertaking of the research. Primary and secondary data are the types of data. Primary data is defined as first hand information received from a respondent. Data that has been already collected and passed through the statistical process is secondary data. This study needs first hand information, which will be received from respondents in the field through interviews, questionnaires and observation guide. Validity is the strength of our conclusions, inferences or propositions. Validity will assist the researcher to determine the degree to which the items presented in the questionnaire are accurate. Further, the researcher will seek the assistance of his supervisor(s) and other scholars to assess the relevance of the content in the questionnaire. Reliability can be argued to be the reliability of measurement, to which an instrument measures the same subjects. The instruments will be pre-tested to a selected sample similar to the actual sample that will be used in the actual study. The expectation will be that procedures used in pre-testing the instruments will be similar to those that will be used during the actual study. 6.2 Field Testing Describe any field test of any instruments. Field tests must be done (A) for new instruments, and (B) with expert panelists. Field tests require no IRB review required. (Pilot studies with participants DO.) See Instructions Pre – testing of the instruments will be done to determine their validity and reliability. This will target about 5 identical subjects as those who will be included in the study. The sample used during the pre – testing will not be included in the main study. A test-retest technique or coefficient of stability method will be used to estimate the degree to which the same results could be obtained with a repeated measure of accuracy. Since the two tests would be very similar, score obtained by each respondent on the first and the second test would be quite close. If a correlation coefficient of about 0.8 is obtained on a test-retest, the instruments would be considered reliable for the study. 6.3 Pilot Testing Describe how you will conduct a Pilot test of any instruments. (Pilot studies require IRB approval.) See Instructions Piloting will target about 1% of the entire sample size. The sample used during the piloting will not be included in the main study. 6.4 Data Collection Procedures List and describe the procedures you will use to collect your data. See Instructions. First and foremost, primary data will be collected by the use of group interview and questionnaire and these will be the main data in the research. Secondary data will involve collection of already processed information. This will be used as a source of literature review and will be sourced from libraries, internet and journals. 6.5 Ethical Considerations (45 CFR 46; APA Ethical Principles) Describe any ethical issues about data collection procedures. (How they will be managed will be discussed in IRB Application.) (Key Belmont principle: beneficence, i.e., risk/benefit analysis). See Instructions. The focus of this study relates to establishment of a correlation between CSR and actual business performance. It requires the researcher to follow a stringent ethical protocol, which protects the rights of the participants throughout the research process (Gregory, 2003). The interviewees and focus group participants will be guaranteed that their responses will be treated with confidentiality. The anonymity of the participants will be maintained throughout the conduct of this study and will remain so even during the final stages of the research, in accordance with ethical protocol. Additionally, the participants will be of their withdraw from the study anytime they wish to and that such action will in no way lead to their reprimand. After all, it will be necessary for the researcher to maintain a viable working relationship with the participants. Therefore, it will be essential for the researcher to exert effort in making the respondents at ease during the conduct of interview in order to attain honest and valid responses (Gregory, 2003). All things considered, these ethical measures will be utilized so as to ascertain that the study is consistent and accurate. 6.6 Statistical Analysis Describe the statistics to be used for each hypothesis or research sub-question. Number each according to the hypothesis numbers in Item 5.2. Explain the exploratory data analysis procedures including handling of missing data and testing the assumptions of the statistical model. What data transformations might be needed? What is the level of significance to be used? What software will be used to analyze the software? What is the proposed alternative statistical model if the parametric model’s assumptions do not hold? See Instructions. After data collection, editing, coding of similar themes, classifying and tabulating are the processing steps to be used to process the collected data for a better and efficient analysis. As Punch (2003) points out, data editing, classification and tabulating are the process of bringing order, structure and meaning of the mass information collected. Data editing will examine the collected new data to detect errors and omissions for correction to ensure accuracy and consistency. Data coding will assign symbols to answers to classify or categorize responses. Data will be coded and recorded on tally sheet after the systematic analysis of each individual variable for measuring completeness; occurrence and clarity because raw data collected from the field through primary data are never well organized for interpretation. Data classification will reduce data into homogeneous groups or attributes for getting meaningful relationships. Tabulation will arrange data into concise and logical order in a procedure referred to as tabulation through columns and rows. The two statistical methods; descriptive and inferential analysis will be applied to measure and determine the relationship that exists among the collected data. Descriptive analysis such as percentages, mean, mode and coefficient of correlation will be used to help to understand and interpret variables, distributions size, and relationship. The package (SPSS) 11.0 for windows is efficient, reliable, and able to sort and provide correlations between variables. Hence, the SPSS will be used for this purpose. Section 7. Researcher’s Critical Analysis of Design 7.1 Procedures Diagram Diagram the step by step procedures from sample recruitment through data analysis. Ensure that there are no procedural confusions. (A standard design diagram is allowed as an alternative to procedures diagram) See Instructions. Identification of sample population sample selection actual data collection data analysis 7.2 Assumptions Identify the key (A) theoretical, (B) topical, and (C) methodological assumptions of the study; provide citations to support their adoption. See Instructions. With all measures put in place, it is expected that the research will bring out a clear picture of the existence of any correlation between CSR and actual business performance. The presumption is that business performance will show a measure of different strategies put in place by businesses. In addition, corporate social responsibility is argued to be a key economic agent for any business. In this regard, it is expected that the relationship between firms’ application of corporate social responsibility and their performance will be clearly indicated. 7.3 Strengths Evaluate the strengths of your study. See Instructions. In all the researches carried out, no matter how well-planned and designed, the study always involves intrinsic biases. In this case, it is correct to argue that although grounded theory suggests that a-priory knowledge of the literature should be suspended, so that researchers can deal with the field of data collection and analysis objectively, it can be argued that this is rather idealistic. However, the researcher is aware of these facts and will and will apply this knowledge in the study. 7.4 Limitations Evaluate the weaknesses of your study at this time. Indicate areas to be improved before start of study and areas that cannot be improved. Give reasons for not redesigning any limitations, if any. See Instructions. In this study, the researcher acknowledges that his presence in the interview might influence informants’ constructions as it seems that what will be presented within such processes might be a totally different situation than the one that exists in their daily practice. For example, in the researcher’s presence, informants may feel the need to construct their company, themselves and their relationship with customers in favorable ways, as they perceive themselves as representing the company in the interview. Particularly, it can be argued that what is constructed is the creation of a new situation which has its own integrity and should not be mistaken for the spontaneous, unframed life-as-lived situation that existed before the interview. Section 8. References In the field below, provide your references for the seminal research about your topic, and key theorists/researchers associated with the selected methodology. You will continue to build on this list of references for your Chapter 1 Background of the Problem, Chapter 2 Literature Review and Chapter 5, where you will discuss your findings in the context of the literature. Use proper APA formatting. References: Aaker, D. A. (1995). Building strong brands. New York: Free Press. Aaker, J., Fournier, S. & Brasel, A. (2004). When good brands do bad. Journal of Consumer Research, 31: 1-16. Achim, S. (2010). Sustainable development international. New York: United Nations. Brown, T. J. & Dacin, P. A. (1997). The company and the product: corporate associations and consumer product responses, Journal of Marketing, 61:.68-84. Gioia, D. A, Schultz, M. & Corley, K. (2000). Organizational identity, image and adaptive instability, Academy of Management Review, 25, 1: 63-81. Gregory, I. (2003). Ethics in research. London: Continuum International Publishing Group. Horrigan, B. (2009). Corporate social responsibility in the 21st Century: Debates, models and practices across government, law and business. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar Publishing. Idowu, O. S. & Walter, L. F. (2009). Professionals perspectives of corporate social responsibility. Springer, Heidelberg. Mullerat, R. (2010). Governance corporate social responsibility: The corporate of the 21st century. Alphen aan den Rijn: Kluwer Law International. Neuman, W. L. (2002). Social research methods: Qualitative and quantitative approaches, 5th ed. New Jersey: Allyn & Bacon. Punch, K. (2003). Survey research: The basics. New York: Sage Publications. Read More