Introduction
Based on the recent research studies, corporations that are socially responsible are likely to be more profitable than those companies that are not sensitive to societal needs (Lindgreen & Swaen, 2010). For instance, based on case 7.1, the Coca Cola Company and the Starbucks are among the leading companies that are giving back to society. According to the case study, Coca Cola is teaching children on how to test purified water to differentiate from the contaminated one. On the other hand, the Starbucks is also addressing the sanitation related issues in India. This essay intends to answer four questions based on the case study 7.1. The first questions require the provision of the general nature of the survey. The second question addresses who could be most suited to participate in the survey. The third question addresses how firms such as MacDonald or Microsoft can use the studied information.
Question 1: Nature of the Survey
This type of survey is open, and any potential customer can participate. For instance, the findings are more conclusive when the participants are selected randomly to ensure that there is no any form of bias. According to Bendat & Piersol (2011), random sampling provides an equal opportunity for participants to offer their views and this provides reliable and valid findings. Therefore, an open panel could not be the best source of a sample for this survey. The reason the open panel is unsuitable for the study is that the information provided is likely to be biased.
Question 2: Restrictions on Participation.
According to Blair, Czaja & Blair (2013), there are various factors to consider when selecting individuals to participate in a survey. It, therefore, implies that there are some restrictions besides age that are considered for one to qualify as a participant in a survey. The first restriction is the level of education. To participate in this survey, the participants are requested to indicate their level of education beginning from high school diploma to university degree. The level of education helps the researcher to analyze the research findings based on the thinking and analytical capacity. The second factor to be considered is the occupation. Based on the nature of this research, those individuals who are employed with a certain level of income are more likely to make regular purchases from various companies. Therefore, such customers can be a good source for providing information regarding the good done by the companies. Based on the case findings, regular shoppers tend to repurchase products from those companies that do good to society.
Question 3: How the Survey was conducted.
As argued by Rea & Parker (2014), a survey is a method of data collection that targets a broad cross-section. Based on the requirement of this study, the questions must have been automatically generated and distributed to participants via an online platform. The research must have been conducted using a website that generates questions automatically. Therefore, this survey must not have been done using the emails. By using the emails, it could have implied that the researcher knew the participants, and this could have provided biased information. Therefore, the survey was not conducted via emails but rather on automated website questionnaire.
Question 4: How MacDonald or Microsoft Can use the Surveyed Information
The survey aimed at investigating whether the good things come to those companies that do good to the society. Based on the findings, customers are likely to buy more from those corporations that are socially responsible. Additionally, the study revealed that customers can go to an extra mile to pay more for a product from those companies that are socially responsible. Therefore, Microsoft or MacDonald should learn that doing good to the society will bring good things to them. The businesses can be profitable if they become socially responsible.
Conclusion
Customers are willing to buy more from socially responsible companies. Therefore, companies should follow Coca Cola and Starbucks' example to get more clients. By doing good to the society, the customers tend to like the business's operations. When conducting such a survey, the researcher should consider factors such as level of education and occupation. The survey is conducted electronically, and the emailing may not be the best option.
References
Bendat, J. S., & Piersol, A. G. (2011). Random data: analysis and measurement procedures (Vol. 729). John Wiley & Sons.
Blair, J., Czaja, R., & Blair, A. (2013). Designing of asurvey: Guides to decisions and procedures. Sage Publications.
Lindgreen, A., & Swaen, V. (2010). Corporate social responsibility.International Journal of Management Reviews, 12(1), 1-7.
Rea, L. M., & Parker, R. A. (2014). Designing and carrying out a survey research: A comprehensive guide. John Wiley & Sons.
