CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Critical Analysis

Critical Analysis

Introduction

The article, “Realism or Idealism? Corporate Social Responsibility and the Employee Stakeholder in the Global Fast-Food Industry” by Dr. Tony Royle, discusses the role of the CSR policies in the organizational policies of multinational firms. The model of McDonalds is taken to conduct a comprehensive qualitative international analysis of the employee related practices of the company, and the relevant findings and conclusions are shared. Through a critical review of the objectives and the research methodologies implemented in the given article, I will examine the relevance and credibility of the eventual conclusions. I will also discuss the strengths and the weakness of the article and give recommendation on how this analysis can be enhanced.

The reason why I choose this article was the relevance and the nature of the dilemma discussed. In the modern business environment where the public is aware of every step taken by companies, CSR activities have become very common among companies. These companies manage to form a positive public opinion by portraying themselves as the supporters of such policies. These companies that might have engage in adequate CSR activities in the developed countries, might engage in employee exploitation among the developing nations. This article has taken the example of McDonalds as the model and has performed a comprehensive qualitative analysis of the employment practices of the company. The primary objective of the article is to ascertain the actual value of the CSR activities among the major multinational corporations such as McDonalds, and how effectively these policies are implemented on the global scale (Brian, 2002, pp. 87). These companies do not possess a standard policy throughout their global chains, and the policies will vary according to the labor force dynamics and the legal framework of the country.

Discussion

The exploitation of the employees and the labor force is a common phenomenon in the under developed and the third world countries. Due to the lack of adequate government laws and regulations, these countries are able to suppress the basic rights of their employees. The exploitation of the employees in the Western countries is also a significant factor. These countries are bound by regulatory authorities to fulfill the basic rights of their respective work force. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility is a significant factor for majority of the companies functioning in these countries. Despite the given situation; employee exploitation signs can be observed among one of the biggest global fast food chains, such as McDonalds. McDonalds is not only present in the developed countries; as it has managed to establish a global presence (Charles, 2006, pp. 209). McDonalds has been accused of exploiting the employees' through measures such as low wages, abuses of the labor rights and anti union policies. In this situation the implementation of the CSR activities undertaken by McDonalds seems like an ineffective activity, as it does not lead to the fulfillment of the employee rights. The CSR activity in these cases can be related to the brand development activities, as the main purpose ...