SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Volume 8 Issue 3, 35-41, May-June, 2021 ISSN: 2394 – 2703 /doi:10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V8I3P106 © 2021 Seventh Sense Research Group® The 7Ps in Corporate Social Responsibility – Insights from Explorative Case Studies in Singapore Dr. K. C. Patrick Low#1,2, Dr. Teck Choon Teo#3 #1Chartered Marketer (CIM, UK) and Behavioural Consultant (US), #2Visiting Professor to the University of South Pacific #3Associate Professor of Management, American University of Phnom Penh, Cambodia Received Date: 27 April 2021 Revised Date: 01 June 2021 Accepted Date: 05 June 2021 Abstract - Here, in this research paper, the authors The four (4) respondents approached the authors to proposed, examined, and discussed the Ps for companies volunteer, entrusting their inputs when they knew the and, in fact, for all of us to advance and enhance authors were doing the CSR research (Period: 7 Nov 2020 Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). This paper extends to 16 Jan 2021. Each respondent took approximately the discussions on green CSR with examples, which can be twenty to thirty minutes, giving their inputs from the understood from the Asian perspectives concerning Asian's perspective regarding Singapore. Singapore. The practical suggestion of the paper is to offer an accurate outlook for innovative concepts of green Note that the triangulation of data from the three (3) strategy from the Asian perspectives with specific regard sources is the triangulation of secondary literature to Singapore. Finally, results are reviewed for their reviews, observations, and inputs/comments of the theoretical and managerial contributions, and businesses interviewees. [Triangulation means utilizing data and the can make recommendations to achieve an appropriate information obtained through secondary research, getting CSR strategy. a data series that are complementary to each other by applying several categories of sources. Hence boosting the Keywords — CSR, people, plastics, Singapore integrity of your research (Honorene, (2018).] I. INTRODUCTION III. The Literature, Observations & Discussions Paper’s Aims and Objectives The 7Ps in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) In this secondary research paper (with primary inputs (i) The authors identify the first of the Ps as No from four associates), the authors would like to: (i) (Zero) Plastics as one of the most important P in the Ps of propose, examine, and discuss the 7Ps in advancing and CSR to cure or repair our planet. “Pampers, plastic bottles enhancing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR); and (ii) are dirtying the environment” (Low, 2019: 159). Indeed these discussions will also be seen and appreciated in so, “plastics have been the scourge of Mother Earth” (four terms of the Asian perspectives and examples. respondents’ inputs; mentioned ten times), as animals – land, sea, and air – are found to have been trapped, Definition of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) injured, or died through eating plastics irresponsibly left Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) [in a general behind by humans. way,] can be defined as firms should not just go after their primary objective in maximizing profitability but also [Yes, there is no good evidence that people can get contribute to the well-being of society through voluntary cancer from using plastics. And there is limited scientific efforts (Barauskaite & Streimikiene (2021). evidence that suggests a link between the use of plastics for food packaging and wrapping and cancer; Cancer II. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY Society of New Zealand, 2012.] Nonetheless, it is mooted While the research depended mainly on secondary those plastics can cause cancer; depending on where one literature, like Low’s (2019) research, respondents who lives and works, one is likely to be exposed to many approached the researchers to give their inputs were relied plastic products every day (Breastcancer, 2020). Food and upon; they gave some primary data. These were combined beverage containers, disposable plates, and toiletry bottles with the authors’ observations. Here, an observational are all plastic, all made from chemicals. Research study is a method of gathering data associated with suggested that all plastics may leach chemicals if they are qualitative research (Richie and Lewis, 2003; also cited in scratched or heated. The study also strongly suggested that Low, 2019), and the critical advantage of an observational at certain exposure levels, some of the chemicals in these study is flexibility. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/) Dr. K. C. Patrick Low & Dr. Teck Choon Teo / IJHSS, 8(3), 35-41, 2021 products, such as bisphenol A (BPA), may cause cancer in island-Republic, some large food and beverage retailers people (Breastcancer, 2020). are opposed to the idea. A mind-growth perspective and attitude are very much needed. Low (2012) asserts that Indeed, habits and things are evolving. “People seem “The Confucian leader or for that matter, anyone with to have forgotten the old way of doing things” (Khee mind growth, does not indeed subscribe or fixed to one Shihui cited in Hicks, 2018). The four respondents also particular way of thinking. One with mind growth opined that “a generation or two ago in Asia, countries ordinarily accepts criticisms or feedback and values these such as Indonesia, India, Malaysia, and cosmopolitan feedbacks as learning points or lessons. For example, island-nation Singapore, hawkers used leaves, for people with mental growth thinking out of the box or example, banana leaves and papers for wrapping their lateral thinking can thus be said to be creative, adaptable, food like nasi lemak or coconut-enriched rice. Paper and flexible. This is because such people listen and are straws were also commonly used, and little or no plastics usually willing to learn and explore more…” (Low, 2012: are used.” In a similar vein, Singaporeans brought home 121). “Mind growth is about having an un-trapped mind. takeaway food from hawker stalls in tingkat (the Malay ‘The individual is willing to learn.’” (Low, 2012: 124) and word for tiffin carrier), and groceries they bought from “grow… to unfold gradually, just as a flower unfolds, wet markets were wrapped in newspaper and palm leaves. phase by phase, petal by petal, from the bud. To grow They brought them home in bamboo or mat shopping means to expand by process of development” (Low, 2012: baskets (Hicks, 2018). The usage of paper and even leaves 121). instead of plastics should therefore be encouraged. As can be seen, the significance in going green in the The average Singaporean uses an unacceptable 13 right direction, biodegradable bags (as first steps) appear plastic bags a day (Hicks, 2018). And only 6 percent of the to make more sense (Hicks, 2018), and such thinking or city-state's plastic waste was recycled in 2017 (Hicks, reasoning must be encouraged and supported. RedMart, 2018). People in Singapore take 820 million plastic bags for instance, in 2017, switched to oxo-biodegradable bags, yearly from supermarkets, and consumers recycled only 2 which the company claimed to require 50 percent less percent of these supermarket plastic bags. Two-thirds material to make than regular bags (Hicks, 2018). were used for disposing of waste (Hong, 2018). Hence, the recycling efforts of plastics must therefore be fearlessly Overall, No (Zero) Plastics is a vital CSR tool to heal championed by civic groups. or fix our Earth. Additionally, some conventional vendors such as (ii) The second P of CSR is that of Product. The Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) have taken positive steps Product should not use or at least use little or no plastics. to reduce their plastic footprint in June 2018. KFC became The Product, in essence, should be of (all) natural the first fast-food chain in Singapore to remove plastic ingredients and undoubtedly beneficial to not only humans straws and lids from its restaurants. This change will but also other creatures. save 17.8 metric tons of single-use plastic yearly. “Products made should also be kind to the Consequently, there is a need for a switch in the environment” (respondents’ inputs; authors’ observations), mind-growth (not mindset as it implies a fixed or rigid and the finished product has a shallow environmental thinking). Of significance, all four respondents agreed impact. By illustration, a product such as a toy should be (mentioned 16 times) with this mind-growth and change safe and not harmful to the child. The product should also concept. (Note that these coincide with the words of Ms. not endanger the environment and the ecology. To cite Jen Teo, executive director of the SEC: Singapore Low (2019: 157), he concurred that every product is Environment Council, cited in CNA, 2020: “One of the naturally harvested in an eco-friendly and sustainable biggest challenges for improving recycling rates in manner, is dedicated to preserving the heritage while Singapore is still the mindset and behavior of the public”). adjusting to the likings of the modern people. Every product purchased contains the hopes, cultures, and beliefs Undeniably so, when it comes to the plastic bags of every Bhutanese farmer (Bhutan Natural, 2018, cited by given out by retailers, there is, however, a vast black hole. Low, 2019: 157). There are supermarkets and bubble tea/ cake shops or bakeries that give (multiple) plastic bags (Hong, 2018; Take another product such as a building or a shopping four respondents’ inputs; mentioned seven times). While complex – if it saves electricity, water and makes full use educating the people, the Singapore Environment Council of the sunlight, it uses fewer resources and is a clean (SEC) calls on every person in Singapore to use one less building. Family-friendly City Square Mall is the first eco- plastic item per day. SEC also intends to encourage mall in the Republic of Singapore to have been built with shoppers to use not more than two plastic bags per trip.