What is Corporate Social Responsibility?

SECTION 1 (Before class)Pre-listening Task 1: Key Words

You are going to watch a 5-minute video on corporate social responsibility. You will hear the words in a – i in bold below. Definitions for the words are also provided below. Check you understand the meaning of the bold words by matching them with the definitions.

a. It is important for companies to maximize profits.b. Many people work on the plantation in both cold and hot weather.c. They decided that changing to a cheaper supplier would increase their profits.d. A company’s stakeholders all have an interest in how the company manages its

business processes.e. It is important for companies to have a positive impact on society.f. In a democracy, people should have the right vote in elections.g. One objective of education is to teach people to learn for themselves.h. When teachers make a commitment to their students, they must continue to help the

students.i. The workforce was unhappy with the low salaries.

Impact (n) an influence that is strong

Supplier (n) a company or person which provides a service, product, or raw

material

Objective (n) a goal

Plantation (n) a farm where crops such as coffee, sugar and cocoa are grown.

Maximize (v) to increase something to its highest value

Democracy (n) government by the people

Workforce (n) the group of people who work together in a company or organization

Stakeholders (n) the people, groups, and organizations that are influenced by a

company’s activity

Commitment (n) the act of dedicating yourself to an activity.

SECTION 2 (Before class)Pre-listening Task 2: Definitions of CSR

Write briefly what you think “corporate social responsibility” means. Be prepared to share your answers in class.

>>>Examples may vary<<<

Pre-listening Task 3: Predicting the content

In the video, you will also hear about how companies can implement CSR initiatives. Which of the following initiatives do you think will provide advantages to companies, and which do you think will provide disadvantages to companies? Write A for advantage, and D for disadvantage:

a. product innovation A

b. donations to charity A

c. monitoring of energy usage A

d. employees training people in the local community A

e. check suppliers’ product quality D

f. check suppliers’ employee working conditions D

g. advertise CSR activities to consumers D

Be prepared to share your answers in class and explain why you chose Advantage or Disadvantage.

>>>The answers given are based on the listening, but arguments can also be made for other answers<<<

SECTION 3

Free notetaking

Now listen to the lecture, taking notes as you do so, using the strategies presented in the OCSALS class.

SECTION 4Listening – Check your understandingTask 1: Titles

Look at these “titles” for the different sections of the video. As you listen, note down the order by numbering them. The first one has been labelled for you.

Introduction of CSR __2___How to implement CSR initiatives __4___Story introducing Kumar __1___Definitions of CSR __3___Concrete CSR initiatives by the British Tea company __6___Some disadvantages of CSR __5___

Task 2: Kumar’s situation

Make notes about Kumar’s situation.

Kumar’s dependents elderly parents, wife, four young children

Working hours 12 hours (7am – 7pm maybe)

Work place Tea plantation

International company involved British Tea Company

Kumar’s future No more work available

The question raised Should the British Tea Company take responsibility

for the plantation workers?

Task 3: Definitions of CSR

Fill in the gaps in the definitions of CSR with the appropriate word below, and check it with a partner:

families, society, democracy, objectives, ethically_____________________________________________________

Definition 1: “CSR covers the extent to which companies should promote human rights,

democracy, community improvement and sustainable objectives throughout the world.”Conferderation of British Industry, 2001

Definition 2: “CSR is the continuing commitment by business to behave ethically and

contribute to economic development while improving the quality of life of the workforce and

their families, local communities and the society at large.”World Business Council

FROM: https://www.slideshare.net/RobbySahoo/corporate-social-responsibility-13975540

Task 4: CSR Initiative, Check your predictions

Go back to the Pre-Listening Task 3. In this task, you made predictions about the advantages and disadvantages of CSR for companies. As you listen again, check whether your predictions were correct or not.

Task 5: Types of advantages and disadvantages

Listen to the details about the types of CSR projects that companies can do. Complete the concept map below with the details. For each CSR activity, there is an explanation of the advantages or disadvantages. When an advantage is described, draw in a happy face on the right. If something is described as a disadvantage, draw in a sad face.

Task 6: Note-taking

Listen and make notes on the dilemma facing the British Tea company.

What the British tea company wants to do: Increase profitsIncrease brand loyalty

Two CSR initiatives proposed:

Advertising campaign to show consumers how good the British Tea Company is

Financial Compensation for Kumar and the workers on the plantation