Reflection Paper. Personal and Professional Insights Gained from the Experience

Reflection Paper
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Reflection Paper
The field study trip to Korea was an eye opener for me especially on the concept of social enterprises and corporate social responsibility. The field trip helped me better understand the benefits of social enterprise and corporate social responsibility such as the integration of the local community within the enterprise and competitive advantage. This was especially the case with Hyundai where we learned that their social enterprise involves a program that caters for elderly and disabled people, thus driving their social agenda by helping these people to navigate through life easily. I would say that Hyundai is the ideal company that has embraced social responsibility in a way that encouraged me to follow the same path shortly.
As per the learning outcomes that had been set before the trip, I would say that this trip was very satisfactory. Seeing first-hand how companies that have embraced social responsibility are faring in a world that is highly competitive was quite an eye-opener for me. One of the main aspects of CSR and SE that I was looking forward to seeing in a real-world scenario was how social responsibility had created a competitive advantage for companies. Take for instance the niche that Hyundai identified by designing products for the disabled and the elderly. Being the first company in Korea to do so (Hyundai, 2016) gave the company an edge because their rivals had not established that there was a market out there that had unmet needs. What is more interesting is the fact that this move was not a strategic one but rather, a social responsibility one. It is evident that in the current business environment, any entrepreneur who wants to succeed should not look at CSR/ SE as a charity that should be done at a scheduled time in a year but as a core business strategy that should be incorporated in everyday business activities. LG is an exemplary example of a company that has integrated this in their core business. I mean, the company is focusing on increasing competitiveness by offering products that have eco-friendly features such that other than protecting the end user by providing safe products, they are also protecting the environment. This encouraged me to work with social enterprises in the future so that I can be part of the change.
I also liked how Amorepacific has approached CSR. The company’s main target clients are women from all walks of life, and while at face value the company may look like it is only addressing the interests of women, I finally realized that through their CSR, they are helping an entire community. Take for instance their Hope Store, which provides financial support to single mothers who have an interest in entrepreneurship. These women are therefore able to feed their children and provide support to their extended families. As such, I believe that the company has driven a social agenda beyond its target market and end-users of their products. To learn that they have opened over 300 stores for women since the inception of the initiative is a clear indication that the company is taking its social responsibility seriously. I understood that social responsibility is about taking the first step in helping just a few people an...