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Research released today by the Judge Institute of Management, Cambridge’s Business School, suggests that environmental and social credibility will have a significant impact on the future reputation of Multinational corporations. Within three scenarios of the future business climate (fortress world, market world & transformed world) the CEOs of the Global Fortune 500 were asked to rate the significance of seven elements of reputation to the preservation of a positive corporate reputation. ... lees meer

A new report titled -The Business of Business” based on a survey of over 160 corporate responsibility professionals conducted by Ethical Corporation magazine and independent research firm Nima Hunter, Inc. reveals broad consensus on a number of issues critical to management of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability. In addition, the study provides insight into knowledge gaps and divergent opinions about strategies and tactics best suited to creating shareholder value through effective CSR management. ... lees meer

New research by the Institute of Business Ethics, leaders in promoting corporate ethical best practice, has shown for the first time that companies with a clear commitment to ethical conduct outperform those which do not. The research is the most thorough study ever carried out in the UK of the relationship between business ethics and business performance in large companies. Using four indicators of business success – economic value added (EVA), market value added (MVA), price/earnings ratio volatility (P/E ratio), and return on capital employed (ROCE) – it compared two groups of companies: those with a demonstrable commitment to ethical behaviour through having a published code of business ethics, and those without. Their performances were then analysed over the five years 1997-2001. On three of the four indicators (EVA, MVA, P/E) the companies with codes were clearly superior, and on ROCE the results were less clear but supported the overall trend. ... lees meer

On 7 April, the EU Multi Stakeholder Forum on CSR held its last round table meeting in the first wave, focussing on the diversity and transparency of CSR practices and tools. Two additional round table waves will follow, until the Forum presents its final report in summer 2004. ... lees meer

On March 25, 2003, Credit Suisse Private Banking launched an Internet information platform on the topic of “sustainable investments”. This will give investors direct access to the latest news relating to this attractive growth market. At www.credit-suisse.com/sustainable-investments investors who would like to take ethical and environmental factors into account – as well as the purely economic – can obtain comprehensive information about developments and investment opportunities in the sphere of sustainability. ... lees meer

As someone who is interested in corporate accountability, sustainable development, and corporate social responsibility reporting we would welcome your participation in the first ever global survey of reporting standards. Completing the survey will take about 10 to 15 minutes of your time. ... lees meer

Environmental communications is a discipline that’s coming of age. Whole armies of consultants have a wealth of advice, encouragement and cajoling on offer. Most of it is directed to business and rightly so, says Sharon O’Shea of The Greenhouse, talking here to Freddie Lawrence. ... lees meer

A tangled ethical web – The best corporate sites breathe life into the complexities of corporate social … A tangled ethical web – The best corporate sites breathe life into the complexities of corporate social responsibility DAVID BOWEN. Corporate social responsibility has become a big issue, and with business ethics remaining at the forefront of managers’ minds it will surely stay big through bad times as well as good. It also has an interesting relationship with the web. ... lees meer

The Dublin-based European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions examined four of the many issues that have an impact on the process and implementation of CSR: restructuring, subcontracting, the local community and the environment. ... lees meer

The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) is an organization with a mission of developing a generally accepted, organization-level sustainability reporting framework through a multi-stakeholder, global consultative process that has involved corporations, NGOs, governments, accountancies, consultancies, labor organizations, investors, and others. GRI is now inviting comments from companies and other stakeholders on the working draft of a Telecommunications Sectoral Supplement to the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines. In August 2002, the GRI and the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GeSI) convened a task force to draft a supplement to the 2002 GRI Guidelines. The objective of this supplement is to identify additional telecom-specific economic, environmental, and social issues not directly captured in the Guidelines, and is being designed with both service providers and equipment manufacturers in the telecom sector in mind. ... lees meer

Royal Philips Electronics launched the company’s first annual Sustainability Report, adding detailed accountability for economic and social responsibility to its former Environmental Report. The reporting initiative is in line with the steps taken in recent years to increase transparency and accountability, adhering to the company’s business principles. Philips also announced that the company has established a Sustainability Board, Corporate Sustainability Office, corporate Sustainability Policy and a global sustainability sponsorship initiative. ... lees meer