Critical appraisal of company's CSR Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Critical appraisal of company's CSR - Essay Example Currently, there are over 7000 stores worldwide and employs more than 2.1 people, commonly referred to as associates according to Sam’s policy. The company also has thousands of departmental and discount stores all over the world. The headquarters of Wal-Mart Stores is in Bentonville, Arkansas. The company topped the list of Fortune Global 500 as one of the largest public companies based on revenue. The company publishes a report dubbed the Global Responsibility Report to keep the public informed. The report covers People, profit, and the planet. It informs the general public and customers the progress on various projects as well the earnings made annually. The report all emphasizes on equality and gender diversity in its associates. The company also has an advisory board on Gender Equality and Diversity, who role is to ensure equality and proper gender representation in the gender roles. This has seen an increase in the number of female leaders in the top leader from 23 873 in 2005 to 25,246 in 2010 (Wal-Mart Stores, 2013). As one, the multinational companies, Wal-Mart has adopted corporate social responsibility as one of its core business strategies. The store invests billions of dollars annually in a variety of projects to ensure its customers maintain confidence in the multinational company. From ethical sourcing, hunger relief, school nutrition programs, police and military family support, anti-malaria initiatives and small farmer market access, Wal-Mart stores CSR strategy is all round (Wal-Mart Stores, 2013). The firm engages in ethical sourcing of its associates. Previously, the firm had a court battle for employing underage kids in Bangladesh. As a result, the firm was in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. The firm has taken measures to overcome this negative perception by engaging in ethical sourcing of its employees. There is screening of employees when being hired in addition to practicing gender

The impact to the individual's participation in staff development Essay

The impact to the individual's participation in staff development - Essay Example Finally, two sections examine the theories of Hallinger and Kantamara (2003) and Bolom and Turner (2003). The objective of this literature review is to critically analyze the report whilst keeping the dissertation's objective, identified problems and aim or research questions as a guide. Further, the need for further research from new questions that will arise from this review will justify the need of the dissertation on the subject of why individuals have difficulties participating in staff development. Section I - Quality Education The fundamental question asked concerns education in the 21st century and challenges both future appropriateness of the educational system and its delivery. In reality, the 21st century is something we know very little about, as we are only just 10 years into this century and the new millennium. The future is unknown and therefore one can only forecast, project and extrapolate as to what might be, based on what is already know. Ideology in education is a n evolutionary process. Dominant views on education have influenced teachers for decades. For example, goals to provide equal opportunities and use of young people as a resource for the nation were initiated in from post-war years up to the early 1970s as part of economic expansion. Similarly, the Plowden Report supported child-centred teaching methods to focus on the unique development of each child, becoming known as ‘progressivism’. This ideology is Liberal Romanticism, which also values diversity and individual difference. In the early to mid-1970s, standards were said to have regressed (‘Black Papers’) because curriculum design and organization lacked rigor. In response, the ideology of Educational Conservatism was introduced which emphasized â€Å"the transmission of established social values, knowledge and culture through a subject-orientated approach,† as stated by Pollard & Tann (1990 p 40). The good teacher would reflect on such ideologies and extract ‘the wheat from the chaff’ to improve his own approach to teaching. While such pragmatic values seem promising in theory, the reality of the situation is such that teacher training and curriculum development must develop more objective means of understanding. While the good teacher should have a thirst for continual improvement, this best occurs within an objective framework. As previously mentioned, I personally self-assess my own performance at the end of each lesson. If a lesson has been observed or I have been using classroom assistants, I actively seek their constructive criticism, as I want to be become not only a good teacher but a first class one. Such self-reflexivity is best supplemented with the university model. Pollard & Tann (1990 p 14) state â€Å"practical experience and related discussions at university seem to be more powerful influences for PGCE students on their professional development than their subject studies.† In attempting to become a first class teacher, I found this to be consistently accurate. I am always willing to learn from experienced professionals and lectures. When not teaching, I use the time to observe others to learn valuable experiences. I found my university workshops an excellent source of ideas and an excellent forum to share and learn the best practices. The question to be asked is not â€Å"what is the reason for education?† but â€Å"is it a good education?† A good education should seek to â€Å"