Auditing of Corporate Social Responsibility: Albanian Banking Sector - Case Study Example

AUDITING OF CSR Student name: Institutional affiliation: Date of submission: ARTICLE: AUDITING OF CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) – (CASE STUDY ALBANIAN BANKING SECTOR) 1. Introduction In the operations of the organizations in the world in the recent days, CSR has emerged to be an important aspect of the carrying out of the operations of the businesses. This has been outlined by the increased focus that has been put in place by governments and all other organizations in the fostering of the implementation. The rationale for the study has therefore enforced and shown the importance of CSR on the banking sector. (Batra, 1996) This has been enhanced by practical reference of the implications that this has had. The effects and benefits to the organizations have also been pointed out. Through this, the article aims at fostering the implementation of CSR among the industries and governments. (Black, 2013) Research question The research question that has been identified for this study is, what is the impact of CSR on the banking system? Objectives of the study Some of the objectives that have been listed for the study include the determination of the impact of CSR on the performance of organizations. This will be determined through the analysis of the various impacts on the lives of the employees and the performance of the organizations. 2. i. Key lines of arguments The paper begins with the development of several assumptions and guidelines. They act as the benchmarks for the undertaking of the study that has been incorporated in the article. They are the factors that relate to the development of the corporate social responsibility. (Al-Khater &Naser, 2003) They are; a. Changes in the environment which present new and imposed ways of doing business as a result of developments in technology and communications. They also include globalization which has prompted the need for the putting in place of international standards by all the parent banks. This has an effect on the social, environmental and ethical areas.(Batra, 1996) b. New guidelines on reporting c. Changes in public consumer perceptions Based on the above listed points, the paper analyses the roles that are played by the auditors in the undertaking of their responsibilities. It seeks to create an insight and understanding on each of the areas that have been pointed out. This is through elaboration and analysis of the factors that have been mentioned. Based on previous researches and studies that have been undertaken, there has been the in depth analysis of the factors that have been pointed out above. Based on this, there will be the creation of a comparison between the inferences and conclusions that have been received and made from each of this and the other studies that have been carried out in the past. (Batra, 1996) ii. Findings of the paper As a result of the study, there are some inferences and findings that have been made in relation to the relationship between the CSR and organizational functioning. The first finding that has been noted is the environmental changes that have taken place over the recent past. There have been many cases of pollution on the environment. This has had an effect on the weather and climate of the world. This has been attributed to the lack of proper socially responsible practices by players in the market. They are both the organizations and the people. They have all led to the changes in the environment. The journal of Corporate Social Responsibility, 2012 enhances the second finding. This is that there has been a change in the public perception about CSR. This is where people are very cognizant of the factors and actors operating in the environment. This is also where they are aware of the businesses that are engaging in activities that are aimed at the betterment of the levels of the environment and that are socially responsible in their activities and undertakings. In line with the article by Al-Khater, 2003, the third factor has been arrived at. This is the development of a mind frame among the businesses as on how to do the things that they do. Businesses have become more socially cognizant of their activities. They have in response to this undertaken to put in place measures that are aimed at seeing to it that there is the development of a socially responsible culture among the people of the world. iii. Paper research methods Strengths of the methods This paper puts into full use the survey research method. In this, there is the further use of questionnaires to receive the data and feedback. There is also the use of interviews. Through the use of the above pointed methods, there are some benefits that have been received by the researchers. The first benefit is that they have received data that is raw and not manipulated. (Corporate Social Responsibility, 2012) This is because it has been collected first hand from the respondents. Through this, the study is based on the actual views and opinions of the people. Limitations of the methods There is however some limitations pointed out. The first is that there is no assurance of the truthfulness of the respondents. This can be due to such things as manipulation and misrepresentation of facts about the matters at hand. This can be through the free will of the people or manipulation by the people in authority to reflect and give views that will maintain and favor their reputation. (Al-Khater &Naser, 2003) iv. Paper conclusions relevance of the paper Following the analysis of the paper, it has pointed out the benefits that accrue to the society through the application of socially responsible practices. The paper has analyzed through matrices the various methods that have been applied by organizations, with reference to the Albanian banks in the seeing to it that the practices that they have put in place are aimed at the better good of the society. (ESRA, 2009) This paper has therefore acted as a torch bearer I the shedding light on some matters that are very important in the world we are and which most a times are ignored. This is relevant in that it will aid in the creation of a caring and a cognizant mentality among the people. This will be to the better good of the world population at large. It is through such paper as this that people are made aware if the impacts of their actions and their organizations on the global economy and performance. The paper is therefore in all its ways important and crucial in the attaining of the globally set goals as it comes to the environment and its preservation. (Holland, 2005) 3. Overall individual views Corporate social responsibility is a matter that has hit the headlines over the recent past. This is due to the relevance that it has on the global economy and sustenance. Through this, organizations, people and governments have sought to put in place measures that will impact on the general good of the society. (Haddon, 2002) This is what has necessitated the development of the CSR initiatives. As such, people have sought to have their actions translated to the better good of the society. Through this, research that is undertaken on the general issue of CSR is valid research and that is to the better of the society. Through this, more researches should be commissioned and the recommendations that are raised in all of them factored in. this will impact to the society in a manner that will be beneficial. This will be through the elimination of such things as pollution and the global warming menace which has brought with it unwarranted loses. On my personal point of view, I have gained and learnt a lot from the study. It has been both educative and informative. (Cadbury, 2002) There however needs to be some changes and improvements in the study. This is mostly so on the data collection mechanisms. They are becoming outdated in the technologically developed society. (Cadbury, 2002) This is mostly so to improve the genuineness of the data that is collected and used in the study. This will be to the better of the people who will us the research as a benchmark for carrying their own studies and researches. 4. Research impact and implications Research impacts The research will have a great impact to the society at large. This is mostly so because it will create caring mentality among the people. The people have been made aware of the factors that they should put in place to see to it that they live in a healthy and good environment. The research therefore serves as an educational tool to the masses of the world. People will also be made aware of the effects of the past actions and the past negligence and the effects that this has had on the weather patterns in the world. This has been mostly so because of the lack of putting in place of socially responsible measures and actions. Implications of the study The importance of this study will be felt both at the individual and institutional levels. (Downey, 2002) This is mostly so on the inferences that have been developed on the benefits and the patterns that have been developed in relation to the corporate social responsibility measures. This will be to the future good of the 5. Logical arguments and structure review Structural review Based on the analysis of the article, it has met all the structural requirements that are set. These include the identification of the research objectives, the undertaking of the research, description of the findings and the arriving at the conclusion. The recommendations are also given as to the study. Logical review Based on this, the study will aid the people who will use it in such things as getting the relevant information and the gathering of the data that is required for the environmental management. It will be useful to all the members of the society. REFERENCES Al-Khater, K., & Naser, K. (2003). User's perceptions of corporate social responsibility and accountability: evidence from an emerging economy. Managerial Auditing Journal, 18 (6/7), 538‒548. Batra, G. (1996). Dynamics of social auditing in corporate enterprises: A study of the Indian corporate sector. Managerial Auditing Journal, 11 (2), 36‒45. Black, S. (2013). Baseline study on national indicators for CSR Implementation. Albania: UNDP, Albania. Cadbury, A. (2002). Corporate governance and chairmanship – A personal view. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Corporate Social Responsibility. (2012). Why CSR? Retrieved May 20th, 2016, from; http://turnthecoin.com/turnthecoin/csr-benefits.htm Downey, P. (2002). The essential stakeholder dialogue. Corporate Social responsibility and Environmental Management, 9(1), 37‒45. ESRA. (2009). European Sustainability Reporting Association report for Italy. Retrieved May 20th, 2016from http://www.sustainablereporting.eu/italy GRI. (2002). A common framework for sustainability reporting. Retrieved May 20th, 2016 from https://www.globalreporting.org/resourcelibrary/Starting-Points-2-G3.1.pdf Haddon, M. (2002). Assuring responsibility. Internal Auditing & Business Risk, 26 (12). Holland, R. (2005). Role of audit in strategic management of CSR within UK High Education. Unpublished work. Birmingham, United Kingdom: Birmingham City University. Read More