FIRST GROUP PLC. !



First Group plc. !

Introduction

This essay is aimed at evaluating the ways in which FirstGroup plc carries out its ethical, moral, and social obligations in the corporate sector. FirstGroup plc is a leading public transport operator of the world and Britain's largest bus operator, running more than 20% of all bus services. The company thinks globally, acts locally. It provides safe and secure transport services across the United States, Canada, and Britain. Its business operations are classified into franchised rails and tram, school buses, local buses, express buses and intercity buses (Bernstein, 1995, Pp. 231-235).

This piece of writing is designed to address a particular aspect of FirstGroup plc in terms of its corporate social responsibilities. Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an important theme of business sector that is gradually turning into a streamline activity. No company can live in complete isolation, ignoring the welfare, protection and prosperity of its external environment and this has been greatly realized by FirstGroup. The paper will not only assess FirstGroup's CSR measures but will also compare its performance with other organizations in the similar industry based on various published resources and available data/statistics. In the end we will briefly conclude and give recommendations on how can FirstGroup improve its performance with respect to its CSR, minimize societal pressures and also cater to the interest of its stakeholders.

Discussion

Twenty years ago, it could not have been imagined that a small bus company which was municipally owned, would progress into a transport giant. Now FirstGroup has become the world's largest public transport operator that is carrying almost 2.5 billion passengers every year (Miles, 2010, P.7).

FirstGroup realizes its ethical and social obligations towards the environment and actively plays its part. This growing emphasis of FirstGroup on corporate responsibility affects its relationships various stakeholders such as investors, vendors and associates, customers, employees, suppliers, communities and government.

For FirstGroup, CSR implies establishing and maintaining a connection between its customers, its environment and the overall community. This connection is of trust, protection, reliability, and superior service quality. FirstGroup offers a low-carbon alternative to its transport networks and continuously strive to offer better environment-friendly transport services to all.

The code of Business ethics of FirstGroup entails that the company will conduct its business activities with high standards of dignity, keeping the interest of third parties intact. The company also promises to keep its employees in high esteem whereby their rights are to be understood and ensured duly. They will be appreciated, rewarded, and understood. Its code of conduct also include its responsibilities towards national and international trade, business integrity, personal conduct, political activity, conflicts of interest, health and safety, environment, customers, supply chain and community involvement. This makes it a world leader in not only transport services that it provides, but also a global winner in terms of conducting its social and moral obligations towards the betterment of society keeping in perspective, the interest of every community that First operates ...