BACK - ACADEMIC AND ASSESSMENT CALENDAR - DISTANCE ang, Shenzhen, Tianjin, Wuhan, Xiamen, Xian, Zhengzhou, Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR. Working collaboratively across all these offices, KPMG China can deploy experienced professionals efficiently, wherever our client is located. Source: PR News Wire, 2020 QUESTION ONE [35] Technology companies are placing more importance on environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices, driven by the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, regulatory requirements and investors' expectations. 1.1 Assess the validity of the statement above by discussing the various corporate social responsibility initiatives and efforts implemented by various organisations across the globe. Conduct your own research to substantiate your answers. (20) 1.2 Through your own research efforts, discuss the key regulatory requirements that organisations that have been permitted to operate under the Covid-19 period, must adhere to. (15) QUESTION TWO [30] "...environmental and social changes continue to alter the business landscape. Hard-to-plan- for incidents such as COVID-19, climate change events, and cyber breaches are causing businesses high losses from suspension of operations or theft of customer or company data. Organisations that possess adaptive capacity in response to environmental and social risks will be better positioned to compete and thrive than peers that do not. Analyse the extract above and critically discuss the various internal and external factors that must be considered when conducting a SWOT analysis given the COVID 19 context. in addition, evaluate the significance of conducting a SWOT analysis in organisations.BAU QUESTION THREE [20] As a growing number of technology and telecoms companies look at taking a more purpose- led and innovative approach, we see that businesses in general are becoming much more focused on driving sustainable practices at these times, integrating ESG initiatives into their overall digital transformation strategy and prioritising investment in technology improvements to reduce or monitor energy use, their carbon footprint or waste levels." Discuss the process of strategic planning and the various factors that influences the process of strategic planning in context of COVID19. QUESTION FOUR [15] "....corporations have the resources to accomplish exponentially more than individuals, and as a result bear the responsibility to be good corporate citizens. This is widely recognized by investors, customers, regulators, employees, and corporate leaders." The extract above is indicative that good leadership is crucial during the current pandemic. In light of this and in context of the global COVID-19 crisis that society and organisations face, critically discuss the various leadership characteristics and traits that an effective leader should possess. N.B. Students are required to conduct research in order to complete assignment questions.MIC AND ASSESSMENT CALENDAR - DISTANCE companies are being analysed and rated by a number of indices and research firms which provide Est ratings and reports for investors to understand a company's management ESG issues. Investors will also examine the ESG rating of an acquisition target when evaluating a potential transaction. second, customers not only require technology companies to offer products/services at competitive prices and quality but are increasingly looking for them to improve their ESG performance. Anyone can now reveal stories via social media relating to ESG failures or undesirable business practices. These stories can circulate globally before companies can respond, causing severe reputational damage. Third, corporations have the resources to accomplish exponentially more than individuals, and as a result bear the responsibility to be good corporate citizens. This is widely recognized by investors, customers, regulators, employees, and corporate leaders. Finally, environmental and social changes continue to alter the business landscape. Hard-to- plan-for incidents such as COVID-19, climate change events, and cyber breaches are causing businesses high losses from suspension of operations or theft of customer or company data. Organizations that possess adaptive capacity in response to environmental and social risks will be better positioned to compete and thrive than peers that do not. Anson Bailey, Partner, Head of Technology, Media and Telecoms, Hong Kong, KPMG China, commented: "As a growing number of technology and telecoms companies look at taking a more purpose-led and innovative approach, we see that businesses in general are becoming much more focused on driving sustainable practices at these times, integrating ESG initiatives into their overall digital transformation strategy and prioritising investment in technology improvements to reduce or monitor energy use, their carbon footprint or waste levels." About KPMG China KPMG member firms and its affiliates operating in mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are collectively referred to as "KPMG China". KPMG China is based in 24 offices across 22 cities with around 12,000 partners and staff in Beijing, Changsha, Chengdu, Chongqing, Foshan, Fuzhou, Guangzhou, Haikou, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Ningbo, Qingdao, Shanghai, Sheny 53 REGENT BUSINESS SCHOOL (RBS) - January 202110.2 READ THE ARTICLE BELOW AND ANSWER THE QUESTIONS THAT FOLLOW: HONG KONG, May 19, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology companies are placing more importance on environmental, social and governance ESG) practices, driven by the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, regulatory requirements and investors' expectations, according to KPMG analysis. The 2020 KPMG Technology Industry Innovation Survey, which comprises responses from more than 800 global leaders in the industry from 12 countries, including 110 Chinese respondents, shows that while technology companies are aware of the importance of embedding ESG into their operations, more regulation and standards in the area of sustainability are required, as stated by 86% of technology leaders surveyed. However, only 26% of technology companies have so far significantly incorporated ESG into their strategic planning. Meanwhile, 34% of respondents said that climate change is having a high impact on their company's investments and funding. Stakeholders will go beyond looking at financial results to evaluate these companies COVID-19 reaction and performance in general through an ESG lens, KPMG expects. Pat Woo, Partner, Head of Sustainable Finance, Hong Kong, KPMG China, says: "People are more reliant on technology now than ever. With technology becoming very much intertwined with our daily lives, tech companies have the social responsibility to think carefully about how their business practices are affecting society positively or negatively. We have reached a tipping point where ESG is concerned. Skin deep ESG reporting is no longer fit for purpose. Investors, bankers and their customers are now demanding businesses to improve their ESG practices and will increasingly be asking for tech companies to be accountable for their business practices. It is essential that tech leaders take concrete steps to integrate ESG into their decision-making process and their business models." Beyond COVID-19, other catalysts, such as climate change and social inequality have long- lasting impact and illustrate a need for companies to embrace longer-term sustainable, robust ESG practices. There are several reasons why ESG is crucial for technology companies: 52