Impact of CSR on Business Practice (2015)

This dissertation explores the importance of implementing sustainable standards and initiatives in the meeting industry sector. In order to succeed in its aim, the following key aspects have been evaluated: the theoretical framework of sustainability itself and the increasing relevance of sustainability in the meeting industry and the inherent gaps in this; the most commonly implemented sustainable standards in the meeting industry sector and companies’ motives for adopting sustainability standards as well as to find out which factors influence on the organisation’s decision to implementing those initiatives; to define which challenges companies face when they implement sustainable standards; finally, to analyse why some companies are not certified yet, which sustainability activities these organisations do and if they plan to get certified with sustainable standards in the future.

In contrast to the previous literature, which is suffered from lack of empirical knowledge, this research contributes to existing knowledge by implementing the convergent parallel research design and focusing on motives of the companies for implementing the standards, benefits and challenges faced by companies while implementing those standards, and how the adoption of sustainable initiatives and standards influence on customer loyalty.

The research is based on an analysis of survey with 120 responses from small, medium and large meeting industry companies (13% response rate), and on six (6) semi-structured interviews. The results reveal that the notion of CSR is popular concern among different companies and organisations in the industry. The findings also show that the implementation of sustainable standards becomes a part of the company’s everyday activities. In particular, the results show the implementation of sustainable standards is driven by several motives, such as increasing customer loyalty and satisfaction, ability to access international markets and acknowledging Social Responsibility.

In addition, the findings reveal the main benefits of adopting the standards: fewer resources used and cut waste have been defined, while the main challenges are time consuming and expensive prices for certification. Moreover, it is important to highlight that some companies face challenges while implementing the standards such as lack of internal expertise on sustainable standards. It can be concluded, that providing of better and clear guidelines for implementing sustainable standards are needed.

Dissertation Objectives

  • To present the theoretical framework of sustainability and CSR and the increasing relevance of sustainability in the meeting industry and the inherent gaps
  • in this.
  • To discuss the most commonly implemented sustainable standards in the meeting industry sector.
  • To conduct a primary research in order to determine the motives of the meeting industry companies to implementing sustainable standards.
  • To analyse benefits obtained from adopting sustainable standards as well as to find out which challenges the companies face while implement the standards.
  • To discover how certification with standards influences on customer loyalty and which reporting activities companies undertake or plan to undertake.
  • To analyse why some companies are not certified yet, which sustainability activities these organisations do and if they plan to get certified with sustainable standards in the future.
  • 17,000 words – 72 pages in length
  • Excellent use of literature
  • Excellent analysis of subject area
  • Well written throughout
  • Includes interview transcripts
  • Ideal for MBA students

1 – Introduction
Research Aim
Research Objectives and Questions
Dissertation Structure
Value

2 – Background To Sustainability and the Meeting Industry
Defining Sustainability and CSR
Factors Influence Adoption of Sustainable Practices
Increasing Relevance of Sustainability to the Meeting Industry Sector

3 – Sustainable Standards and Initiatives in the Meeting Industry
An Overview of Sustainable Standards in the Meeting Industry Sector: Motives for Implementing
ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems
The performance-based APEX and ASTM Environmentally Sustainable Meeting Standards
The GRI Sector Supplement for Event Organisers
Benefits and Challenges of Implementing Sustainable Standards and Initiatives in the Meeting Industry
Customers’ Perception towards Sustainable Standards in the Meeting Industry Sector

4 – Methodology
Research Design
Data Collection – Survey
Data Collection- Interviews
Ethical Considerations
Limitations

5 – Findings and Discussion
Quantitative Analysis
Qualitative Analysis
Approach to Sustainability
Motives for Adoption of the Standards
Benefits
Challenges
Customers
Future of Sustainable Practices
Implications for Research
Limitations and Future Research Directions

6 – Conclusions and Recommendations

References

Appendices

CSR on Business Practice and Sustainable Standards and Initiatives Dissertation
Impact of CSR on Business Practice Dissertation

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