EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (ABSTRACT)
Water is essential to the survival and well-being of us human beings (Rouse & Rouse, 2007), as well as supporting the communities in which we live and work.
This is a reality and holds true for all nations around the world, including Saint Lucia. As a natural resource, water, goes beyond sustenance, providing for the development of Saint Lucia’s economy.
The management of this natural resource falls on a company which over time has overcome many challenges. Despite several challenges, Water and Sewerage Company Incorporated (WASCO) is committed to providing the residents of Saint Lucia with a consistent supply of potable water and management of sewerage (WASCO Inc., 2020).
The operations that enable these services, have come under scrutiny by many stakeholders. Many of these stakeholders believe that WASCO is not acting responsibly towards addressing social issues and is not sensitive to the welfare of the environment, particularly around its operations.
The impact made by WASCO in addressing some of these concerns has been sparse and, for the most part, serve as bandages. The organization is facing increasing demands to improve the quality of its services by policy makers and its consumers.
With expanding economic sectors and growing demands for housing, WASCO’s current service supply is further strained by ageing potable water and sanitation infrastructure. In addition, hurricanes and storms cause flooding or sedimentation reducing the supply and quality of services.
Added to these are the frequent trade union interventions seeking redress to employee grievances. There is also growing pressure from policy makers and funding agencies to adopt and report on targets of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) adopted by the United Nations and similar performance indicators. WASCO has not considered using a CSR approach in strategically addressing these concerns and expectations.
The general objective of the Final Graduation Project (FGP) was to develop a corporate social responsibility action plan to develop a corporate social responsibility action plan to align the WASCO’s operations and projects to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) components, derived from global standards and United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG’s), benefiting the organization itself, the environment, and the society.
The specific objectives were to assess the organizational structure, policies, and procedures used in support of WASCO’s operations and projects to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats in attainment of CSR goals and objectives derived from United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDG’s) and the global standards for sustainability reporting; to determine possible actions and projects to address the company activities towards CSR objectives derived from United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the global standards for sustainability reporting; and to elaborate the proposal of a corporate social responsibility action plan to establish long-term economic, environmental, and social strategies in WASCO’s operations and projects.
The methodology used for the research involves the use of quantitative and qualitative analysis. The main sources used to develop the action plan were interviews, the analysis of survey data and reviewing manuals which guide policies and procedures. The process also involved the introduction of knowledge and insight provide by experts in the field of sustainable development and project management
The process also included identifying additional stakeholders and developing further communication strategies and plans to address weakness in applying CSR.
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is not all buzz and fluff, as the research indicates that many international corporations, particularly from the United Sates, have garnered benefits for themselves and the environment. Many of these corporations follow the guidance provided by Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) on sustainable reporting standards and the Sustainable Development Goals adopted by the United Nations.
The information obtained during this project indicates that several international lending agencies have provided support to initiatives that include CSR components. Agencies such as the World Bank and the Caribbean Development Bank have provided support to projects with outcomes, including improving the economy, protecting the environment, and improving social well-being. In addition, the UN SDGs and the Agenda 2030 is driving the adoption of these and other outcomes at a global level.
These global initiatives require the participation of member states to create the environment, and at times provide, financial and institutional support for achieving the desired results by 2030.
This research suggests agencies such as WASCO Inc., are aptly placed, not only to implement activities formulated from CSR guidelines, standards, and principles to facilitate government’s international commitments, but to provide opportunities for the transfer of benefits to their employees, the environment, and the communities which it serves and operates in.
Information reviewed in this project reveal that WASCO has several opportunities that makes it well suited for adopting a CSR approach to realize changes in its operations and projects beneficial to the economy, the environment, and the community.
To achieve this, requires resources, formidable knowledge, and tools and techniques. WASCO depends largely on the human capital of its workforce and availability of water to generate revenue. WASCO’s management should continue to pursue CSR initiatives that focus on strengthening the relation between these resources and its core services, to the extent that benefits could be extended to the community and the environment.
As a result of this project it was recognized that awareness of CSR guidelines, standards, and principles in the local business and government environment is lacking. However, further investigation showed that there was familiarity with the CSR concepts and terminology. Further, the research indicates that there was lack of clarity in its meaning and how to implement. Being a global issue, the recommendation is that more organizations, like WASCO, adopt CSR guidelines, standards, and principles in both government and business sectors.
With growing momentum to find more efficient ways to generate viable economic activities while safeguarding the environment and improving social well-being, additional research could examine CSR in practice, and identify the challenges and opportunities derived from business and government sectors.
For its part, WASCO is ideal in becoming a subject matter within the scope of such research as its activities border on those of both sectors. The outcomes from these research opportunities would improve the understanding of CSR within Saint Lucia’s local industry and populous, given its unique challenges and constraints as an island nation.
For CSR initiatives and activities to be successful, it is recommended that the employees demonstrate dedication and commitment, by using and applying several standards, tools and techniques. For WASCO, these would include the GPM P5
Standard, the GRI Sustainable Reporting Standards, the principles of the Project Management Body of Knowledge, and Information Communication Technology. Though these tools, techniques, and standards are well suited for monitoring and managing the processes associated with implementing CSR initiatives and activities, long-term benefits would be achieved when they are integrated by WASCO providing clarity, purpose, and value into their daily operations and future projects.
Considering that this is a unique opportunity to make external contributions to the environment and the community through the CSR initiatives, this study suggest that WASCO would also need to implement initiatives that improve employee job satisfaction by creating a safe and respectful workplace, and strengthening their knowledge capacity and personal development. Strengthening knowledge capacity should include the areas of project management, monitoring relevant indicators and applying reporting standards.
By doing this, the organization would know how to move collaboratively with its employees over the hurdles in applying CSR approaches within its operations and projects. Success also depends on communication.
A communication plan from conception to implementation would have to be managed by the communications unit at WASCO. The organization would have to identify and inform stakeholders, and when necessary request support for initiatives.
The communication plan would also be used to strengthen the relationship between WASCO and its customers, more so as CSR approaches will require changes to responsibilities and expectations for both parties.
Operating within the environment also calls on WASCO to ensure that its contractors and suppliers are knowledgeable about their responsibilities and expectations regarding their contribution to CSR initiatives.
It would not only be expected that they follow guidelines on how to operate within the environment, but also how to treat their workers. It is expected that the standards and code of conduct adopted by WASCO in the treatment of its own employees are translated to the contractors and suppliers with whom they engage.
WASCO would use many communication channels to not only inform the contractors and suppliers of the standards, but also the community of its plans and corral interest and support. The aim is to engage the community to gain support for CSR initiatives and encourage accountability in accomplishing outcomes. Communication would be integral in the pursuit of freshwater conservation, helping the community at large to become stewards of water by reducing waste, conserving and protecting water and its sources.
The result of this study also concludes that the nonstationary factors and priorities, both internal and external, and the growing needs of stakeholders requires that WASCO is resilient but strategic.
This study further concludes that a CSR approach would emphasize WASCO’s commitment to governance, people, communities, and their environment is more than a promise. It’s action, knowing that there is no better time than now, for us all to help shape a sustainable future benefiting the economy, the environment, and our community.
Descargar Aquí:
http://www.uci.ac.cr/Biblioteca/Tesis/PFGMAP2110.pdf
Estudiante: DARNVILLE NELSON
Tutor: Karolina Jiménez Monge
Lector: Mónica González
Lector: Sara Fonseca
