School Project on Project

OL 326 Final Project Guidelines and Rubric Overview The final project for this course is the creation of a case study analysis and strategy proposal . Social responsibility is an ethical philosophy that suggests an individual or a group of individuals, such as an organization, has an obligation to act for the benefit of society at large. Corporations in any industry have experienced change in corporate social responsibility (CSR) due to both internal (employee) and external (customer, regulatory agencies , environmental) influences. These influences require leaders to better educate themselves and the organization on their stra tegy in regard to CSR . The purpose of this project is to analyze and critique an organization based on what is expected of a corporate strategy in regard to social responsibility. The project is divided in to two milestones , which will be submitted at various points throughout the course to scaffold learning and ensure quality final submissions. These milestones will be submitte d in Modules Two and Four . The final pro du ct will be submitted in Module Seven . In this assignment , you will demonstrate your mastery of the following course outcomes:  Critique social responsibility principles and concepts as they relate to scholarly re search, evidence , and real -world relevance  Analyze internal and external influences to organizational operations as they relate to the effective application of social r esponsibility  Analyze the potential benefits and risks of the strategy planning of an organization for ensuring organizational effectiveness  Develop strategy plans that appropriately draw from modern principles of social responsibility and are substantiated by evide nce  Assess the ethical implications of real -world issues and problems in c orporate social responsibility from multiple perspectives Prompt For this project , you will analyze the case study ITC LTD: Toward a Triple Bottom Line Performance . You will look at various aspects of both the daily operations of the company as well as management strategies to determine the impact they have on the social responsibility of the company. You will examine the impact this has on the internal and external stakeholders of the compan y, as social responsibility impacts them the most. Then, you will devise a revised strategy plan that addresses any gaps and risks you have identified in regard to social responsibility. Specifically , the following critical elements must be addressed: I. Introduction : In this part of the project , you will introduce the company present in the case study, describing the important attributes of the company that should be considered when analyzing its consideration of social responsibility. Describe the organi zation in the case study. In other words, how is the organization described in the case study? What are its key attributes? What ar e its strengths and weaknesses? II. Analysis of Social Responsibility : In this part of the project , you will begin your analysis of the case study, examining how the strategy plan of the organization in the case study considers social responsibility. a) Analyze the organization’s strategy plan for compliance with the current acceptable standards or norms relative t o social responsibil ity today. b) Analyze the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in social responsibility that might be potential risks to internal and external stakeholders. c) Predict the potential positive and negative impacts to internal and external stakeholders regardi ng social responsibility that would result from the strategy plan. In other words, what might happen to the employees and /or people involved in the company regarding social responsibility from this strategy plan? You could consider both t he present and fut ure impacts. d) Critique the evolution of strategy planning related to social responsibility within the organization. In other words, what may have influenced the evolution of strategy planning related to social responsibility u nique to this organization? e) Exp lain how this organization is or is not consistent with regard to social responsibility when compared within its own industry and when compared to outside industries. Be sure to justify your response. III. Ethical Decision -Making : In this part of the project , you will continue your analysis of the case study, examining how the strategy plan of the organization considers ethics in decision -making processes. a) Analyze the organization’s strategy plan for decision -making processes that it employs. In other words, based on the strategy plan, how does the o rganization make decisions? b) Explain how aspects of ethics were considered in the decision -making processes of the organization. In other words, what were the ethical considerations related to social responsibility in the decisions made by the organization? You could consider the connection between ethics and organizational decision making and how ethics influence those decisions. c) Analyze the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in the decision -making process that could be considered potential risks to interna l and external stakeholders. IV. Critique the Organization : In this part of the project , you will continue your case study analysis, critiquing the organization regarding how it considers social responsibility and how its processes have been influenced internally and externally. a) Utilizing the information in the case study and your previous analysis, determine the appropriate components for a strategic CSR plan for the organiza tion. b) Compare the components chosen pertaining to the organization with other organizations with similar or diffe rent strategic components. c) Explain how the organization’s internal and external influences have impacted the strategy plan’s compliance with in dustry standards and common practice in regar ds to social responsibility. d) Determine potential risks in the current strategy plan and compare them with other relevant organizations (in particular, the same industry) to determine if these risks are common or unique to the organization. V. Revised Strategy Plan : In this part of the project , you will imagine you have assumed a leadership role within the organization. You will utilize the case study and your previous analysis to develop a new strategy plan for the organization addressing its social responsibility. a) Develop a revised strategy p lan for the organization , addressing any potential risks or gaps regarding social responsibility previously identified i n your case study analysis. b) Explain the process regarding how the revised strategy plan was developed. Be sure to describe why certain components were selected and how they are important to the organization as relat ed to social responsibility. c) Discuss how you considered the influence of internal and external forces when developing your revised strategy plan. In other words, how did you ac count for the internal and external influences that affected the first strategy plan in the development of your revised strategy plan? d) Explain how issues of ethics were considered when developing the revised strategy plan. If issues of ethics did not need to be conside red or revised, explain why. Milestones Milestone One : Introduction In Module Two , you will submit the introduction . The final project requires that you analyze ITC LTD, a diversified company that has heavily invested in tobacco and cigarette s in India . For Milestone One , you will introduce the company in the case study, describing the important attributes of the company that should be examined when analyzing its consider ation of social responsibility. H ow is the organization described in the case study? What are its key attributes? What are its strengths and weaknesses? What do you see as its primary CSR issue? This milestone will be graded with the Milestone One Rubric . Milestone Two : Analysis of Social Resp onsibility and Ethical Decision -Making In Module Four , you will submit Section s II and II I of the final project, which are the analysis of social responsibility and ethical decision -making . As part the analysis of social responsibility , address the following issues : define the primary stakeholders both internal and external, the organization’s compliance to social responsibility, and gaps in social responsibility that may be potential risks to internal and external stakeholders. What mig ht happen to the employees and /or people involved in the company regarding social responsibility from this strategy plan? Consider both the present and future impacts. What ma y have influenced the evolution of strategy planning related to social responsibility unique to this organization? Explain how this organization is or is not consistent with regard to social responsibility when compared within its own industry and when compared to outside industries. Regarding ethical decision -making , examine how the organization’s strategy plan involves ethics in its decision -making process. How does the organization make decisions? What were the ethical considerations related to social responsibility in the decisions made by the organization? How do ethics influence these decisions ? Are there any gaps in the decision -making process that could be considered potential risks to internal and external stakeholders? This milestone will be graded with the Milestone Two Rubric . Final Submission : Final Case Study Analysis and Strategy Proposal In Module Seven , you will submit the final case study analysis and strategy proposal . It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all of the critical elements of the final pro ject . It should include the information from the two milestones plus Section IV , Critique of Organization , and Section V , Revised Strategy Plan , making sure to reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. Th is submission will be graded with the Final Pro ject Rubric. Final Pro ject Rubric Guidelines for Submissi on: Your case study analysis and revised strategy plan should follow these requirements: 8–12 pages, double -spaced, 12 -point Times New Roman font, one -inch margins, and APA sixth e dition citations and style. Instructor Feedback : This activity uses an integrated rubric in Blackboard. Students can view instructor feedback in the Grade Center. For more in formation, review these instructions . Critical Elements Exemplary (100% ) Proficient (85% ) Needs Improvement (55% ) Not Evident (0% ) Value Introduction Meets “Proficient” criteria , and description is an especially comprehensive overview of the organization Describes the key attributes, strengths, weaknesses, and consideration of social responsibility of the organization in the case study Describes the key attributes, strengths, weaknesses, and consideration of social responsibility of the organization in the case study , but description is cursory Does not describe the key attributes, strengths, weaknesses, and consideration of social responsibility of the organization in the case study 4.75 Analysis of Social Responsibility:

Compliance Meets “Proficient” c riteria , and analysis demonstrates nuanced understanding of the current acceptable standards or norms relative to social responsibility Analyzes the organization’s strategy plan for compliance with current acceptable standards or norms relative to social r esponsibility today Analyzes the organization’s strategy plan for compliance with current acceptable standards or norms relative to social responsibility today , but analysis is cursory Does not analyze the organization’s strategy plan for compliance with current acceptable standards or norms relative to social responsibility today 5.75 Analysis of Social Responsibility:

Potential Risks Meets “Proficient” criteria , and analysis demonstrates a nuanced understanding of potential risks associated with social responsibility Analyzes the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in social responsibility that might be potential risks Analyzes the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in social responsibility that might be potential risks , but analysis is cur sory or inappropriate Does not analyze the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in social responsibility that might be potential risks 5.75 Analysis of Social Responsibility:

Positive and Negative Impacts Meets “Proficient” criteria , and prediction demonstrates keen insight into both the present and future impacts of the strategy plan with regard to social responsibility Predicts the potential positive and negative impacts regarding social responsibility that would result from the str ategy plan Predicts the potential positive and negative impacts regarding social responsibility that would result from the strategy plan , but prediction is cursory or inappropriate Does not predict the potential positive and negative impacts regarding soci al responsibility that would result from the strategy plan 5.75 Analysis of Social Responsibility: Evolution Meets “Proficient” criteria and critique of strategy plan demonstrates a nuanced understanding of how the internal and external influences on the organization have impacted the evolution of the consideration of social responsibility within the company Critiques how the strategy planning related to social responsibility has evolved within the organization in response to internal and external influen ces Critiques how the strategy planning related to social responsibility has evolved within the organization in response to internal and external influences , but critique is cursory or inappropriate Does not critique how the strategy planning related to social responsibility has evolved within the organization in response to internal and external influences 5.75 Analysis of Social Responsibility:

Consistent Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates keen insight into how social responsibility of the company is consistent compared to outside influences Explains how this organization is or is not consistent with regard to social responsibility compared within their own industry and outside industries Explains how this organization is or is not consistent with regard to social responsibility compared within their own industry and outside industries , but explanation is cursory or inappropriate Does not explain how this organization is or is not consistent with regard to social respons ibility compared within their own industry and outside industries 5.75 Ethical Decision - Making: Decision - Making Process Meets “Proficient” criteria and analysis demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the decision -making processes employed by the organization Analyzes the strategy plan of the organization for the decision -making processes that are employed Analyzes the strategy plan of the organization for the decision -making processes that are employed , but analysis is cursory Does not analyze the strategy plan of the organization for the decision -making processes that are employed 5.75 Ethical Decision - Making: Ethics Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the connection between ethics and decision -mak ing processes Explains how aspects of ethics were considered in the decision -making processes of the organization Explains how aspects of ethics were considered in the decision -making processes of the organization , but explanation is cursory or inappropriate Does not explain how aspects of ethics were considered in the decision -making processes of the organization 5.75 Ethical Decision - Making: Gaps Meets “Proficient” criteria and analysis demonstrates keen insight into the gaps in the decision -making process that could be potential risks Analyzes the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in the decision -making process that could be potential risks Analyzes the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in the de cision -making process that could be potential risks , but analysis is cursory or inappropriate Does not analyze the organization’s strategy plan for any gaps in the decision -making process that could be potential risks 5.75 Critique the Organization:

Components Meets “Proficient” criteria and determination demonstrates keen insight into the appropriate components for a strategic CSR plan Determines the appropriate components for a strategic CSR plan for the organization Determines the appropriate comp onents for a strategic CSR plan for the organization , but determination is cursory or inappropriate Does not determine the appropriate components for a strategic CSR plan for the organization 5.75 Critique the Organization: Other Organizations Meets “Proficient” criteria and comparison demonstrates a nuanced understanding of components chosen and how other organizations with similar or different components relate to the organization Compares the components chosen pertaining to the organization with ot her organizations with similar or different strategic components Compares the components chosen pertaining to the organization with other organizations with similar or different strategic components , but comparison is cursory or inappropriate Does not com pare the components chosen pertaining to the organization with other organizations with similar or different strategic components 5.75 Critique the Organization:

Internal and External Influences Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a nuanced understanding of how the organization’s internal and external influences have impacted the strategy plan’s compliance with industry standards and common practice regarding social responsibi lity Explains how the organization’s internal and external influences have impacted the strategy plan’s compliance with industry standards and common practice regarding social responsibility Explains how the organization’s internal and external influences have impacted the strategy plan’s compliance with industry standards and common practice regarding social responsibility , but explanation is cursory or inappropriate Does not explain how the organization’s internal and external influences have impacted the strategy plan’s compliance with industry standards and common practice regarding social responsibility 5.75 Critique the Organization:

Potential Risks Meets “Proficient” criteria and determination makes cogent comparisons between the risks of the organization with other organizations Determines potential risks in the current strategy plan and compare s them with other relevant organizations to determine if these risks are common or unique to the organizat ion Determines potential risks in the current strategy plan and compare s them with other relevant organizations to determine if these risks are common or unique to the organization , but determination is cursory or inappropriate Does not determine potential risks in the current strategy plan and does not compare them with other relevant organizations to determine if these risks are common or unique to the organization 5.75 Revised Strategy Plan: Potential Risks Meets “Proficient ” criteria and developed strategy plan demonstrates keen insight into how to address the potential risks or gaps regarding social responsibility Develops a revised strategy plan for the organization , addressing any potential risks or gaps regarding social responsibility previously identified in case study analysis Develops a revised strategy plan for the organization , addressing any potential risks or gaps regarding social responsibility previously identified in case study analysis , but develop ed plan is cu rsory or inappropriate Does not develop a revised strategy plan for the organization addressing any potential risks or gaps regarding social responsibility previously identified in case study analysis 5.75 Revised Strategy Plan: Process Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates keen insight into how the components used influenced the development of the revised strategy plan Explains the process regarding how the revised strategy plan was developed and explains why certain components were used and why they are important to the organization Explains the process regarding how the revised strategy plan was developed and explains why certain components were used and why they are important to the organization , but explanation is cursory or inappropriate Does not explain the process regarding how the revised strategy plan was developed and does not explain why certain components were used and why they are important to the organization 5.75 Revised Strategy Plan: Influence Meets “Proficient” criteria and discussion demonstrates a nuanced understanding of the influence of internal and external forces on the development of the revised strategy plan Discusses how the influence of internal and external forces was considered when devel oping the revised strategy plan Discusses how the influence of internal and external forces was considered when developing the revised strategy plan , but discussion is cursory Does not discuss how the influence of internal and external forces was considere d when developing the revised strategy plan 5.75 Revised Strategy Plan: Ethics Meets “Proficient” criteria and explanation demonstrates a nuanced understanding of ethics and their importance when developing the revised strategy Explain s how issues of ethics were considered when developing the revised strategy plan and if ethics did not need to be considered or revised, explains why Explain s how issues of ethics were considered when developing the revised strategy plan and if ethics did n ot need to be considered or revised, explains why , but explanation is cursory or inappropriate Does not explain how issues of ethics were considered when developing the revised strategy plan and if ethics did not need to be considered or revised, does not explain why 5.75 Articulation of Response Submission is free of errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, and organization and is prese nted in a professional and easy -to-read format Submission has no major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization Submission has major errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that negatively impact readability and articulation of main ideas Submission has critical errors related to citations, grammar, spelling, syntax, or organization that prevent understanding of ideas 3.25 Total 100%