You are required to write a report which answers the following questions:What is CSR, and how does it benefit companies?

You are required to write a report which answers the following questions:What is CSR, and how does it benefit companies?

There is no one universally accepted definition of CSR so in your report you need to show that you have understood that CSR is complex and multifaceted, and to present your own conceptualization of what CSR is, and how you came to this.

You then need to show an understanding of how CSR benefits companies, what they get out of it, and provide examples of this in practice. High scoring assignments will draw upon a variety of literature to answer this question, including both mainstream and critical perspectives. You would benefit from showing how CSR has become part of business strategy.

Finally, you need to include a short reflection on how your understanding of CSR has developed since Week 1 of the course when you were required to write a short piece on how you understood CSR. What have you learned from your reading since then? (Please note: the short piece you wrote in Week 1 must be included as an appendix in your assignment submission)

You must use at least five academic peer-reviewed references.Lecture slides are NOT a valid reference in your assignments-you need to do some reading yourself. You need to use and reference some course readings in your assignments, however, students who also do their own research and use a range of additional readings are more likely to get high marks.

Each of your main points must be supported by evidence from the literature, with appropriate citations.

As this assessment is a report, there should be a short executive summary to begin (this will not be include in your word count) and limited headings / sub-headings are encouraged. Standard academic referencing conventions should be used. Formal language should also be used.

There is a lot to cover so drafting to ensure that you are being clear and succinct in your written expression is very important. This is a vital and highlytransferrable skill.

Suggested structure for Assessment 1

Table of Contents (this is often included in a report, but is optional, and will not be included in the word count)

1. Short executive summary(not included in word count): This summary gives an overview of what you are going to do/argue in your report, and would normally be placed at the beginning of the report. People often write the Executive Summary when they have finished writing their report.

2. What is CSR?For this part of the report you need to explain in your own words what CSR is.

In this report you need to show that you understand something about the range of different views of what CSR is, as found in the academic literature, and then come to your own conclusion, or definition, as to what you think it is. You need to provide academic references to back up your chosen conceptualization of CSR.

You MUST reference some course readings and cite them correctly to show where you got your understanding of CSR from. It is not acceptable to simply cite websites, as this is an academic assignment so you need to show you have read some research. Good marks come from referencing core course texts as well as some further academic research which you have done yourself. You can also reference industry material and websites once you have done your academic research.

3. How does CSR benefit companies?

There are two tasks to do here:

a)You need toreview the academic literature on how CSR benefits companies. Make sure you give examples to illustrate your main points. You must reference course readings, but you will do better if you also reference other academic resources.High scoring assignments will draw upon a variety of literature to answer this question, including both mainstream and critical perspectives.You would benefit from showing how CSR has become part of business strategy.

b)Chooseoneglobal company, or sector. Look at its websites and reports and explain how the company, or sector, appears to benefit from CSR, giving examples.

4. Conclusion: Briefly summarize your answer to the assignment questions: What is CSR, and how does it benefit companies?Finally you must include here a short reflection on how your understanding of CSR has developed since Week 1 of the course when you were required to write a short piece on how you understood CSR (this short piece you wrote in Week 1 should be included in your Assignment as an Appendix - see point 6 below). What have you learned from your reading since then?

5. Reference list(not included in the word count) - list all the references you have used I alphabetic order using Harvard referencing style. Do NOT list anything here if you have not used it, and cited it, in your report.

6.Appendix: You must include an appendix to your report which is a copy of your original summary of what CSR is which you will have completed in Week 1 tutorials. This is not included in the assignment word count.

Questions?If you have any questions, check theAssessment 1 Q & A discussion boardto see if they have already been answered. If not post your question or alternatively ask your teacher in your workshops.

Submission instructions

Referencing guidelines

UseRMIT HarvardLinks to an external site.referencing style for this assessment.

You must acknowledge all the courses of information you have used in your assessments.

Refer to theRMIT Easy CiteLinks to an external site.referencing tool to see examples and tips on how to reference in the appropriated style. You can also refer to the library referencing page for more tools such as EndNote, referencing tutorials and referencing guides for printing.

Feedback mode

Feedback will be provided using Canvas/Turnitin's inline marking tool, a Rubric and general comments.

Format

Professionally presented using Ariel or Calibri 12-point font, justified.

Submission

Back up all copies of drafts and your final assignment on a separate device (USB or similar) in case it is required as evidence. Computer failure is not allowable grounds for an Extension or Special Consideration.

Use Word documents in the .doc or .docx formats only. The assessment will be submitted in Canvas as a file upload. Assignments submitted in pdf format will not be graded.

You can find theAssessment 1 Cover Sheet hereDownload Assessment 1 Cover Sheet here

Turnitin

Assignments and other assessments must be submitted through the CANVAS assessment submission system (Turnitin). Submitted assignments that do not have a similarity score will not be graded.

Do NOT attempt to obtain a similarity score by first submitting it to TurnItIn via another course as this will result in you achieving a very high similarity score when you eventually submit your assignment for this course. A 10% penalty will be imposed in such instances.

Do NOT include the declaration form as part of your TurnItIn submission as that will incorrectly increase your similarity score.

Turnitin Similarity Percentage

The Turnitin Similarity Percentage is an indicator of the similarity of your paper with other assignments. ThisHYPERLINK "https://help.turnitin.com/feedback-studio/canvas/plagiarism-framework/teacher/the-similarity-report/interpreting-the-similarity-report.htm" t "_blank"linkLinks to an external site.gives you information on how to interpret the similarity report.

Allow sufficient time for the TurnItIn system to reset before you make another attempt at obtaining a similarity score. Make sure you obtain your final similarity score well in advance of the assignment deadline in order to avoid a penalty for late submission.

Academic integrity and plagiarism

Academic integrity is about honest presentation of your academic work. It means acknowledging the work of others while developing your own insights, knowledge and ideas.

You should take extreme care that you have:

Acknowledged words, data, diagrams, models, frameworks and/or ideas of others you have quoted (i.e. directly copied), summarised, paraphrased, discussed or mentioned in your assessment through the appropriate referencing methods

Provided a reference list of the publication details so your reader can locate the source if necessary. This includes material taken from Internet sites

If you do not acknowledge the sources of your material, you may be accused of plagiarism because you have passed off the work and ideas of another person without appropriate referencing, as if they were your own.

RMIT University treats plagiarism as a very serious offence constituting misconduct.

Plagiarism covers a variety of inappropriate behaviours, including:

Failure to properly document a source

Copyright material from the internet or databases

Collusion between students

For further information on our policies and procedures, please refer to theUniversity website.Links to an external site.

Assessment declaration

When you submit work electronically, youagree to theassessment declaration.Links to an external site.

Rubric

Individual Report

Individual Report

Criteria Ratings

This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeCriterion 1Quality of answers to the assignment questions(40 pts) HIGH DISTINCTION (HD) Standard: Surpasses Expectations 80 -100 %

Relevant arguments / theories are used and a sophisticated and nuanced understanding of the field of CSR is demonstrated. Examples used clearly illustrate the key points made. Excellent reflection on what you have learned about CSR since Week 1. DISTINCTION (DI) Standard: Exceeds Expectations 70 - 79%

Relevant arguments / theories are used and a nuanced understanding of the field of CSR is demonstrated. Examples used illustrate some key points. Very good reflection on what you have learned about CSR since Week 1. CREDIT (CR) Standard: Above Expectations 60 - 69%

Some relevant arguments / theories are used and some clear understanding of the field of CSR is demonstrated. Examples sometimes linked to key points. Good reflection on what you have learned about CSR since Week 1. PASS (PA) Standard: Meets Expectations 50 - 59%

Limited understanding of relevant arguments / theories and of the field of CSR. Examples rarely linked to key points. Makes unsubstantiated assertions. Adequate reflection on what you have learned about CSR since Week 1. FAIL (NN) Standard: Below Expectations 0 - 49%

Does not demonstrate adequate understanding of relevant arguments / theories and of the field of CSR. Examples not linked to key points. Makes unsubstantiated assertions. Inadequate reflection on what you have learned about CSR since Week 1.

This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeCriterion 2Research & use of academic sources(30 pts) HIGH DISTINCTION (HD) Standard: Surpasses Expectations 80 -100 %

Has 5 + scholarly references. Demonstrates a thorough and critically reflective approach to source selection appropriate to the task. Demonstrates high level of independent thought in locating required information. Is selective and discriminates between sources of information in an appropriate and critical manner for the task. DISTINCTION (DI) Standard: Exceeds Expectations 70 - 79%

Has 5 + scholarly references. Evidence of independent research. Employs relevant literature on the topic effectively. Shows a good, sound knowledge of the literature and good research skills. CREDIT (CR) Standard: Above Expectations 60 - 69%

Has 5 + scholarly references. Shows some evidence of engagement with relevant literature. PASS (PA) Standard: Meets Expectations 50 - 59%

Has 5+ scholarly references but shows limited evidence of independent research. Use of literature and additional materials is very limited and/or largely irrelevant. FAIL (NN) Standard: Below Expectations 0 - 49%

Does not have 5 scholarly references. No evidence of independent research. No evidence of engagement with relevant literature. Uses only immediately available information with little discrimination.

This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeCriterion 3Writing style, use of academic writing conventions & appropriate communication(15 pts) HIGH DISTINCTION (HD) Standard: Surpasses Expectations 80 -100 %

Excellent writing style demonstrating a very clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas. Meticulous language use, including; phrasing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. DISTINCTION (DI) Standard: Exceeds Expectations 70 - 79%

High standard of writing style demonstrating a clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas. Careful language use, including; phrasing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. CREDIT (CR) Standard: Above Expectations 60 - 69%

Commendable writing style demonstrating a mostly clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas, with only minor lapses. Methodical language use, including; phrasing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. PASS (PA) Standard: Meets Expectations 50 - 59%

Adequate writing style demonstrating a clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas, with some lapses. Adequate language use, including phrasing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. FAIL (NN) Standard: Below Expectations 0 - 49%

Inadequate/inappropriate writing style. Does not demonstrate a clear and coherent presentation of knowledge and ideas. Consistently inappropriate language use, including phrasing, spelling, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure.

This criterion is linked to a learning outcomeCriterion 4Referencing(15 pts) HIGH DISTINCTION (HD) Standard: Surpasses Expectations 80 -100 %

Excellent and commendable level of scholarly integrity. Citations are appropriate throughout and the reference list is presented without errors. Excellent adherence to referencing conventions. DISTINCTION (DI) Standard: Exceeds Expectations 70 - 79%

Work is referenced to a high level of scholarly integrity. Citations are appropriate in the vast majority of the essay and the reference list is formatted correctly. Very good adherence referencing conventions. CREDIT (CR) Standard: Above Expectations 60 - 69%

Work is referenced to a good level of scholarly integrity only minor lapses in referencing and / or use of sources. Citations are appropriate in the majority of the essay and the reference list is formatted correctly. Good adherence referencing conventions. PASS (PA) Standard: Meets Expectations 50 - 59%

Work is referenced at a basic level some lapses in referencing and / or source use. Citations are appropriate in parts of the essay, but there are lapses. Reference list includes errors. Adequate adherence referencing conventions. FAIL (NN) Standard: Below Expectations 0 - 49%

Lack of evidence of scholarly referencing and frequent lapses in referencing and / or source use. Citations are not appropriately applied in the majority of the essay. Reference list contains significant errors. Lack of adherence to referencing conventions.