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MNN3701
EXAM PACK
DISTINCTION QUALITY
UNISA EXAM
,MNN3701 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE 14 APRIL 2026
ASSESSMENT TASK
Thus, for this assignment, you are required to write an analytical essay on the
functions of business in practising good corporate citizenship. Before attempting
the essay, you should:
Select one JSE-listed organisation that you have identified as a good example of
an organisation practising corporate citizenship.
Download and critically analyse the selected organisation’s Integrated Report to
use as your main source of evidence/examples, where required.
Once you have completed the above two steps, write a concise analytical essay
structured into three parts, namely the introduction (Part A), the body (Part B),and
the conclusion (Part C).
Part A: Introduction
The selected JSE-listed organisation for this analysis is Woolworths Holdings Limited, a
large retail chain operating in South Africa, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia
(MNN3701 Study Guide, p. 16). Woolworths has been chosen as an exemplary model
of corporate citizenship because its sustainability strategy, the “Good Business Journey”
(GBJ), explicitly aligns with the definition of corporate citizenship adopted in this
module: “the role of the corporation in administering citizenship rights for individuals”
(Matten & Crane, 2005, cited in Botha, 2016, p. 5). Unlike superficial corporate social
investment, Woolworths embeds environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
considerations into its core business operations, aiming to be “the most sustainable
retailer in the Southern Hemisphere” (Botha, 2016, p. 16). My discussion begins by
outlining the key business functions that support corporate citizenship. It then critically
,examines three functions at Woolworths procurement, marketing, and
operations/logistics to show how they promote sustainable development. Then the
effectiveness of these practices and how well they are built in in the business are
evaluated
Part B: How corporate citizenship is actioned through business functions
Key business functions and their role in corporate citizenship
Several core business functions play a vital role in implementing corporate citizenship.
The procurement and supply chain management function is responsible for ethical
sourcing, supplier development (including B-BBEE), and ensuring environmental and
labour standards throughout the supply chain (Badenhorst-Weiss, 2016, p. 266-
267). Operations and logistics management focuses on sustainable production, waste
reduction, energy efficiency, and reverse logistics (Badenhorst-Weiss, 2016, p. 286-
287). The human resource management function administers employee rights, ensures
fair labour practices, and fosters a culture of ethics and development (Grobler, 2016, p.
301). Marketing management communicates corporate citizenship commitments, avoids
misleading claims, and promotes responsible consumption (Rudansky-Kloppers &
Strydom, 2016, p. 322-325). Finally, financial management guides responsible
investment, financing, and integrated reporting that captures ESG performance (Botha,
Bimha & van Wyk, 2016, p. 352).
, Critical analysis of three key business functions at Woolworths
1. Sustainable procurement and supply chain management
Woolworths uses its procurement function to administer citizenship rights by mandating
ethical and environmental standards throughout its value chain. The GBJ commits to
“ethical sourcing, sustainable farming, … water scarcity, energy, waste, social
development, transformation, as well as health and wellness” (Botha, 2016, p. 16).
Specifically, Woolworths requires all suppliers to adhere to its 13 principles on
responsible sourcing, including prohibitions on child labour, forced labour, and
discrimination, thereby protecting social and civil rights (Botha, 2016, p. 18).
Furthermore, the company supports small supplier development in the Eastern Cape,
providing training and financial assistance to 40 small businesses, which advances
economic empowerment and local community rights (Badenhorst-Weiss, 2016, p. 269-
270). This function directly advances Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as
Decent Work (SDG 8) and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12).
2. Marketing management
Woolworths’ marketing function advances corporate citizenship by promoting
transparency and consumer rights. The company uses its branding and packaging to
inform customers about sustainable choices, such as the “Good Food Journey” which
highlights responsibly sourced products (Rudansky-Kloppers & Strydom, 2016, p. 341).
In one instance, Woolworths voluntarily recalled ice-cream products due to an
undeclared peanut allergen, demonstrating adherence to the Consumer Protection Act
and prioritising consumer safety over short-term sales (van Wyk, 2016, p. 91).
Moreover, the MySchool, MyVillage, MyPlanet loyalty programme donates a portion of
proceeds to charities, turning routine marketing transactions into vehicles for social
value creation (Botha, 2016, p. 17). This aligns with ethical marketing principles that
MNN3701
EXAM PACK
DISTINCTION QUALITY
UNISA EXAM
,MNN3701 ASSIGNMENT 2 2026
DUE 14 APRIL 2026
ASSESSMENT TASK
Thus, for this assignment, you are required to write an analytical essay on the
functions of business in practising good corporate citizenship. Before attempting
the essay, you should:
Select one JSE-listed organisation that you have identified as a good example of
an organisation practising corporate citizenship.
Download and critically analyse the selected organisation’s Integrated Report to
use as your main source of evidence/examples, where required.
Once you have completed the above two steps, write a concise analytical essay
structured into three parts, namely the introduction (Part A), the body (Part B),and
the conclusion (Part C).
Part A: Introduction
The selected JSE-listed organisation for this analysis is Woolworths Holdings Limited, a
large retail chain operating in South Africa, Africa, the Middle East, and Australia
(MNN3701 Study Guide, p. 16). Woolworths has been chosen as an exemplary model
of corporate citizenship because its sustainability strategy, the “Good Business Journey”
(GBJ), explicitly aligns with the definition of corporate citizenship adopted in this
module: “the role of the corporation in administering citizenship rights for individuals”
(Matten & Crane, 2005, cited in Botha, 2016, p. 5). Unlike superficial corporate social
investment, Woolworths embeds environmental, social, and governance (ESG)
considerations into its core business operations, aiming to be “the most sustainable
retailer in the Southern Hemisphere” (Botha, 2016, p. 16). My discussion begins by
outlining the key business functions that support corporate citizenship. It then critically
,examines three functions at Woolworths procurement, marketing, and
operations/logistics to show how they promote sustainable development. Then the
effectiveness of these practices and how well they are built in in the business are
evaluated
Part B: How corporate citizenship is actioned through business functions
Key business functions and their role in corporate citizenship
Several core business functions play a vital role in implementing corporate citizenship.
The procurement and supply chain management function is responsible for ethical
sourcing, supplier development (including B-BBEE), and ensuring environmental and
labour standards throughout the supply chain (Badenhorst-Weiss, 2016, p. 266-
267). Operations and logistics management focuses on sustainable production, waste
reduction, energy efficiency, and reverse logistics (Badenhorst-Weiss, 2016, p. 286-
287). The human resource management function administers employee rights, ensures
fair labour practices, and fosters a culture of ethics and development (Grobler, 2016, p.
301). Marketing management communicates corporate citizenship commitments, avoids
misleading claims, and promotes responsible consumption (Rudansky-Kloppers &
Strydom, 2016, p. 322-325). Finally, financial management guides responsible
investment, financing, and integrated reporting that captures ESG performance (Botha,
Bimha & van Wyk, 2016, p. 352).
, Critical analysis of three key business functions at Woolworths
1. Sustainable procurement and supply chain management
Woolworths uses its procurement function to administer citizenship rights by mandating
ethical and environmental standards throughout its value chain. The GBJ commits to
“ethical sourcing, sustainable farming, … water scarcity, energy, waste, social
development, transformation, as well as health and wellness” (Botha, 2016, p. 16).
Specifically, Woolworths requires all suppliers to adhere to its 13 principles on
responsible sourcing, including prohibitions on child labour, forced labour, and
discrimination, thereby protecting social and civil rights (Botha, 2016, p. 18).
Furthermore, the company supports small supplier development in the Eastern Cape,
providing training and financial assistance to 40 small businesses, which advances
economic empowerment and local community rights (Badenhorst-Weiss, 2016, p. 269-
270). This function directly advances Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) such as
Decent Work (SDG 8) and Responsible Consumption (SDG 12).
2. Marketing management
Woolworths’ marketing function advances corporate citizenship by promoting
transparency and consumer rights. The company uses its branding and packaging to
inform customers about sustainable choices, such as the “Good Food Journey” which
highlights responsibly sourced products (Rudansky-Kloppers & Strydom, 2016, p. 341).
In one instance, Woolworths voluntarily recalled ice-cream products due to an
undeclared peanut allergen, demonstrating adherence to the Consumer Protection Act
and prioritising consumer safety over short-term sales (van Wyk, 2016, p. 91).
Moreover, the MySchool, MyVillage, MyPlanet loyalty programme donates a portion of
proceeds to charities, turning routine marketing transactions into vehicles for social
value creation (Botha, 2016, p. 17). This aligns with ethical marketing principles that
