Corporate Social Responsibility

By

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would take this opportunity to thank my research supervisor, family and friends for their support and guidance without which this research would not have been possible.

DECLARATION

I [type your full first names and surname here], declare that the contents of this dissertation/thesis represent my own unaided work, and that the dissertation/thesis has not previously been submitted for academic examination towards any qualification. Furthermore, it represents my own opinions and not necessarily those of the University.

Signed __________________ Date _________________

ABSTRACT

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a catch phrase for oil firms world wide who wish to portray a more environmentally and socially accountable image. Yet, despite the increased time, money and manpower foreign oil firms have invested into CSR activities, the continuing criticism against these firms leads one to believe that progress is not being made. The purpose of this thesis is to study the contributions of CSR in the sustainable expansion and development of the community within which British Petroleum performs. The research, in this dissertation, is performed with the help of qualitative methodology thus, reproducing the secondary material for understanding and interpretation. The case study method has been preferred to study the subject in its holistic sense.

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTII

DECLARATIONIII

ABSTRACTIV

ABSTRACT1

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION2

Research Aim2

Research Problem2

Research Question2

Electronic database searches3

Search rationale3

Layout of the Report3

Chapter 23

Chapter 34

Chapter 44

Chapter 54

Learning Process4

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE6

Introduction to CSR6

Corporate Social Responsibility: History7

CSR: Shareholder Theory8

CSR: Stakeholder Theory10

CSR and sustainable community expansions10

CHAPTER 3: METHODOLOGY16

Research Objectives16

Research Approach16

Research Strategy17

Data Collection Method18

Qualitative Research18

CHAPTER 4: CRITICAL ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION20

British Petroleum20

CSR in BP21

CHAPTER 5: CONCLUSION24

REFERENCES26

ABSTRACT

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a catch phrase for oil firms world wide who wish to portray a more environmentally and socially accountable image. Yet, despite the increased time, money and manpower foreign oil firms have invested into CSR activities, the continuing criticism against these firms leads one to believe that progress is not being made. The basic purpose of the study is to research and investigate into the support of CSR concepts in the development and expansion of the society and markets in which British Petroleum performs its operations. The research, in this dissertation, is performed with the help of qualitative methodology thus, reproducing the secondary material for understanding and interpretation. The case study method has been preferred to study the subject in its holistic sense.

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

The subject at hand pertains to the discussion of the community development through the implementation of the corporate social responsibility activities. For this purpose, the topic is discussed in the context of British Petroleum and undertakes to elaborate upon the concept of corporate social responsibility along with its history, background, applications and case study techniques. This investigative study undertakes the discussion in a much detailed manner and through a comprehensive research.

Research Aim

The aim of this research study is to explore the possible contributions of the corporate social responsibility to the sustainable expansion of the community to which BP serves.

Research Problem

The study deals with the concept of CSR and its application in the various ...