Possible Section A Essay

Here is the section A essay prompt, the same we did in class as a Written Assessment on 31 March (Group D) or 1 April (Group B).

Consider the link to the Green and Black news article- could be a good place to reference in your own research for costs of CSR.

Green & Black's meets Fairtrade pledge


The organic chocolate manufacturer has met its target for full Fairtrade certification in the UK by the end of 2011.

Organic chocolate manufacturer Green & Black's has already met its key target for Fairtrade certification across all chocolate bars and drinks in the UK by the end of this year, it said on Tuesday.

The chocolate company also confirmed it is making progress to meet this pledge globally – in the 30-odd countries where it trades – by the end of 2011. At the same time it detailed its investment in Fairtrade for the longer term, agreeing to spend £400,000 a year for the next eight years to support the sustainability of cocoa-growing communities in the Dominican Republic. It pointed to the findings of a new report, due to be published next month, carried out by the University of Manchester, to identify the key issues faced by such communities of farmers, which said that increased investment should deliver significant and positive impact.

But the Fairtrade movement has attracted scepticism, notably from the free market thinktank Institute of Economic Affairs. Its spokeswoman, Ruth Porter, said: "Fairtrade tends to help producers in better-off countries when there are many in poorer countries who deserve to be helped, but who cannot afford to meet the many conditions required for certification. Big brands (such as Green & Black's) have much so much power and sway and we think they could be doing more to ease the plight of the poorest farmers. We should be talking about free trade, not Fairtrade"

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/mar/08/green-blacks-fairtrade-pledge

Question: With reference to the article above and your own research, to what extent do the benefits of Corporate Social Responsibility outweigh the costs for a business? (40 marks)