REFLECTIVE JOURNAL

Abstract
The journal will reflect on my personal experiences, in relation to the concepts of Human
Resource Management and my work abilities including the learning from the course, as an
individual or a group based exercise. The concept of sustainability in a business is critically
investigated and reviewed and how it will impact the present and future performances of the
business. The relations and discourse of the society-business is an integral part in identifying the
actual state and constituting the sustainability’s true essence of any business. There were theories
developed by different authors in order to answer the relevant pointers apparently. Moreover, the
paper will also reflect business-centered concepts to coup with the business mechanisms is a
constructive way contributing to the sustainability of the business in a strategic manner.
Serving life as a student is the long-term process of learning that never ends until the person’s
death. However, for becoming an effective student, it is necessary that the students must be good
learners and must never end their learning process throughout their life. My course of the
Strategic business sustainability has helped me understand the actual context that the formulation
of a business is not a piece of cake because it has to face many difficulties and challenges to
make it a prosperous one. My teacher, was one of the best companions I found who provided us
with various opportunities to have a prosperous career path in the future. Later, we will also
discuss the how the course of a global business environment has introduced new learning and
theories to conduct an industry analysis of the international business.
Strategic business sustainability
By strategic business sustainability, I mean the incorporation of the social, economic and
environmental factors into the planning activities and goals of the business aiming for the
business’s value in the long-term along with the stakeholders. I found that the strategies for
sustainability are designed to cater the needs of its stakeholders along with enhancing and
sustaining the future. The scrutiny of the business’s sustainability showed declining patterns of
social and economic development, further compromising the natural environment. Also, the
business operations will need to shift to shift fundamentally in order to create an equitable and
sustainable economy. A question that arises in my mind was that what factors constitute the true
essence of sustainability, which was answered in the lectures resulting in many interpretations by
the authors as ‘essentially-contested concept’. The theories conceptualized, reflected and brought
together the differences of a contemporary business management with sustainable business
development. As per my learning, businesses particularly will need to be responsible towards the
factors afflicting the society such as, environmental and social, habitats destruction or
exploitative working conditions.
Moving forward to the lectures, in first class, we discussed the possible key strategies which can
be used by any conventional business and the responsibility of the individual shareholders for the
creation of economic value such as profits, either for medium term or short term. This broadened
my knowledge with regards to the difference and individual responsibilities of the shareholders
and managers of the company. The profits pursuit is very narrow and the challenges and issues
faced by the society includes lower minimum wage, degradation of the environment and poor
working conditions. Implementation of the strategies will not only help in reducing the negative
impact, but also regenerate a positive impact on the nature and society along with effecting the
consumption and production patterns of the business. I have seen some conventional businesses
follow to reach the levels of economic growth and gain decent work standards by reducing the
labor costs and paying the labors minimum possible wage where the working conditions of the
company depend upon the strategies developed and followed by them but the business strategies
had a significant impact on the provision of jobs and where the company is located.
My concepts were now clearer and I was moving in the right direction of what actually is meant
by the phrase ‘Sustainable strategy’. To explain it further, let’s take an example of Apple, which
is considered as one of the leading mobile companies in the worldwide with the largest market
share and positive feedbacks from its customers representing a company with reach and
influence globally. Apple operates with efficient and strategic economic and political power
restricting any regulatory or government organization to influence or control their operations
simultaneously harnessing those powers for achieving the aims of sustainability. The lecture has
been very informative and motivating, helping me gain detailed understanding of what is
sustainability and significant augmentation of how the cycle of implementation sustainable
strategies works in the development of the company. I figured that the business practices have
become very complex and is affected by various macro-economic factors. The lecturer has
updated by knowledge by mentioning variations and challenges faced by the business in
development along with consideration of all the environmental, social, political and legal and
technological factors which are the driving forces behind the development of any strategy. The
business focused on maintain sustainable operations while expanding globally, increasing the
stability and the profitability of the business. Moreover, the emphasis on global sustainability
and expansion will require an understanding of the products and services provided by the
relevant business. This helped me understand the concept of customized goods which are only
produced to reach the target market or enhance the appeal of the products itself resulting in
incorporation of different management strategies internationally. Different layers in the business
environment involves composition of several macro-environmental factors. I perceived, these
factors affect the health of the business and can help with the globalization. Furthermore, the
course also focused on understanding the nature and characteristics of the business before the
selection of business strategies. It helped me in identifying the relevant tools of the industry
through five forces model of Porter. After the analysis pf the industry, the next step is to find the
key competitors currently. This helped in categorizing the level of competition and successful
penetration of the strategies in the markets.
Later, we discussed another important concept of ‘Corporate social responsibility’ and how it
exists in the businesses in real world. What do I understand from the term ‘CSR’ is that it means
the social obligations and responsibilities of a business to society and an overall corporate
strategy of an organization. For example; the emission of environmental toxins and pollutants by
auto and oil companies causing harm to individuals in real world. Therefore, it is mandatory on
the organizations to create awareness of the environmental, human and social issues also
adoption of policies to eliminate or minimize the harm in aforementioned segments. The
traditional views hold organizations responsible for the philanthropic, ethical and moral
responsibilities towards its stakeholders and other interest groups.
I researched from various sources that in recent years, many organizations have been facing an
indirect and direct pressure to develop operation strategies and integrate performance measures
as CSR. The research reflected on the responsibilities of the society’s well-being and welfare as
well as the community development and conditions of human safety is entirely dependent upon
the competitiveness of the organization. I have observed organizations following the CSR
perspective, also called as ‘Sustainable operations strategy’ (SOS) pay more attention to the
environmental and societal consequences or producing goods and delivering services.
The lecturers clarified my concept of corporate social responsibility in operations management
and that it will include research on the theoretical underpinnings, the multitude of business
objectives and business analysis whether the business operations are socially responsible or not,
but previously I thought that corporate social responsibility can only be observed with the nature
and sustainability of the environment but the organizations nowadays use several management
practices that can be used to evaluate the competence of the management in attaining business
objectives such as best dependability, highest quality, improved flexibility and lowest cost
bringing new challenges in controlling the operational resources strategically supporting
environmental, economic and social dimensions.
I relate that the corporate social responsibility is not identical, but related to business ethics in a
way which focuses more on the behavior of groups and individuals within the organization
whereas the corporate social responsibility in an organization is dealt and categorized as ethical,
legal, discretionary and economic responsibilities of the organization. The application of CSR in
real world which can be divided into different responsibilities. I have observed the ethical
considerations in real world by which I mean the proactive efforts to conduct the daily business
affairs justifying and meeting the society norms beyond applicability of the laws while treating
my employees fairly and ethically. Also, I am well aware of the legal responsibilities which is
concerned with the application of employment, product, environmental and consumer laws
during their operations. This means meeting the society norms even if it is not formally enacted
in law. I presume that the company has also a discretionary responsibility which means the
fulfillment the societal expectations which involves philanthropic support benefiting the nation at
large such as donating the expertise of employees to worthy causes. And lastly, i will also look
forward the businesses to be economically responsible along with being profitable while keeping
in mind the interests of the shareholders and delivering goods and services at a fair price.
The key discussion I had with my lecturer was regarding a theory by the economic social
responsibilities by an American economist, Milton Friedman, which stated that the business is
primarily responsible to generate profits while complying the laws and regulations and I reached
the conclusion that the government is equally responsible along with the residents to solve the
problems and address social issues. The adoption of corporate social responsibility in a business
has its own sets of advantages and drawbacks. The studies have shown how the implementation
of CSR policies and procedures improves the image and positively reflect the goodwill of an
organization. The clean image will welcome more customers to buy the products and avail the
services generating image, reputation and value. The positive image and analysis of the CSR has
attracted me to work for the CSR incorporated company in the future which will motivate and
other new potential candidates. The people nowadays prefer a flexible work culture over
autocratic, thus, increasing the self-pride and motivation of the employees. I have learned that
the promotion of sustainable business model will welcome new dimensions in a business by
improved reputation, welcoming new investors and investment proposals from the government,
other firms or venture capitalist increasing brand experience and brand exposure and generating
brand associations. Adoption of CSR will itself publicize the company. However, the branding or
advertisement of the products and services must be in alignment with the planned CSR activities.
I would always prefer the company with CSR adaption of policies which will enhance greater
long-term association between the employer and myself, and further greater financial
independence, transparency in business operations, the objectivity of the management and the
neutrality in decisions of the organization. It will help in improving our relationship with the
stakeholders by providing a social needs index, mediation between the company and the
community and reaching the in-accessible groups which otherwise have no contacts with the
company.
As per my observation, I have seen some of the possible disadvantages too which can be faced
by the company such as the adoption of CSR policies by any financial entity will influence their
profit-making objective which will automatically cut the margins of profit making the
stakeholders unhappy which is a concerning factor for the stakeholders. Moroever, the
employees in the departments within the organization might face conflicts of interests and lesser
dynamism. I have seen the implementation of CSR is a long term process and cannot generate
instant results, therefore, it might negatively affect the minds for small and medium-sized
enterprises affecting the reputation of the company.
The course helped me identify relevant ethical issues which can occur during the process such as,
the switching of workforce or the loss of jobs experienced by low-qualified workforce.
Incorporation of CSR in a business will need an internal team to identify organizations and
spearhead the efforts to increase the success and engagement of a business. Simultaneously, the
lecturer also helped me understand the issues and challenges of corporate social responsibility,
such as the understanding of imposition of regulations and rules by the government in order to
fulfill the social and environmental claims. Therefore, I concluded that the government of a
country is capable to impact the resources helping with the revenue generation or to violate the
regulations.
In addition to my understanding, I also learnt the concepts of strategic planning for companies
which decides on to expanding its operations globally. The study was so informative and
encouraging in context of planning global business activities. I, personally was so impressed and
have started planning for global operations. The continuous growth and expansion in business
activities globally along with growing fragmentation and complexity while structuring and
carrying out cross-border work has been very challenging over recent years. The substantial
importance of studying the strategies in the industries and organizations is regarded as the new
norm by the managers, researchers and consultants. The notable shift in emerging economies
from economic activities is one of the main characteristics of the rise in globalization. The
strategies include coordination of global markets and strategic directions to effectively respond
the interdependent markets globally.
We also discussed the context of global leadership covers the environment in which the
individuals can operate, cater significant relation-ship related and task related challenges while
satisfying the global objectives of an organization. By relationship challenges, I mean the
process adopted by the leader in fulfilling his roles and responsibilities whereas the task related
challenges refer the environmental conditions under which the roles and responsibilities are
conducted. From multinational corporations to smaller organizations/firms, HR professionals
need to focus on global issues effecting supply chains, business practices, markets and
subsidiaries. Global integration requires implementation of policies and procedures to practice
human resource for common corporate and organizational structure while successfully expanding
its operations worldwide. Global leader needs to align the ambiguities in cultural perspectives
and values, economic trends, employee welfare and legislations, global resources and effectively
leading the employees. It helped me understand and update my knowledge of strategies for
international management. The lecturer discussed the variations in business due to the ‘PESTLE’
analysis which helped me with several domains. I am now fully aware of the challenges and
possible opportunities of expanding business operations globally.
For example, my plan is to open a coffee shop in London’s vicinity, just like Starbucks with a
funky name to attract teenagers towards my shop. Moreover, I wish to expand the business in
different countries and regions to expand my customer base to generate more profit for the
business. Through the course portfolio, I learned the global business environment process which
provides the necessary information related to different sovereign countries apart from a country
in which the person wishes to build their business. However, through understanding the process
of a global business environment, an entrepreneur willing to open a business in different regions
or countries can learn the industry norms and the overall attractiveness of the industry in terms of
social, economic, licensing, regulatory and technological environments.
The strategies and strategic thinking in cross border and global organizations. By using the
phrase Global strategy I am referring to an organization or a business which wishes to expand its
operations beyond borders and compete in the global market. Moreover, it can also acts as
commercial guide for transactions taking place between different countries and entities. The
increase in globalization urged the companies to operate and conduct business on an
international scale, therefore, given the title of Multinationals or Trans-national companies. All
the companies in today’s economy should also consider the significance of risks associated in
engagement in international operations. I presume that the chosen strategy should reflect the
potential and capabilities of a business and its objectives to make the right choices.

Types of global business strategies

The lectures have also built my understanding of the financial crises globally. And various risk
management strategies which can be implemented globally. Moreover, the class helped me
identify the internal and external tools to coup with the challenges and attain sustainability, also,
the managers of the company are required to incorporate extraordinary managerial skills to
understand and meet the potential threats.
The group discussions in the class has helped me identify my areas of strengths and weaknesses.
Now I can use my knowledge along with other secondary resources in a presentable manner.
Additionally, it has also improved my writing skills and boast my confidence regarding the
nature’s phenomena. Now I can manage my time frame and explore my creative side.
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