8.18.2005 ET

(CSRwire) Corporate social responsibility has been a hot topic lately and with good reason. According to a recent study by the Natural Marketing Institute (NMI), almost 90% of the U.S. population state that it is important for companies to not just be profitable, but to be mindful of their impact on the environment and society. Although actual behaviors are, at times, different, the implications of this attitude on business operations are far-reaching. Just over 70% of consumers indicate that knowing a company is mindful of their impact on the environment and society makes them more likely to buy their products or services, and nearly 50% state it makes them more likely to buy their stock.

These are just a few of the key findings from the NMI's new consumer research report: Corporate Social Responsibility: Consumer Understanding and Influence. This report quantifies consumer attitudes regarding corporate social responsibility (CSR) and the influence that CSR has on consumer interaction with companies and brands. Specific barriers, drivers, sources of influence, and other CSR-related topics are also examined.

This data is drawn from NMI's fourth annual LOHAS Consumer Trends DatabaseTM. Throughout the report, NMI analyzes the CSR-related attitudes and behaviors of the general population as well as its four proprietary consumer segments (LOHAS, NOMADICS, CENTRISTS and INDIFFERENTS). Understanding the differences between each of these consumer segments will allow you to market to them in a more productive manner and develop long-term relationships.

To review a table of contents or to order, please visit: http://www.nmisolutions.com/r_corporate_responsibility_toc.html.

NMI is a strategic consulting, market research, and business development company specializing in the health, wellness, and sustainable marketplace. For more information on NMI's research reports, proprietary databases and other services, visit NMI's web site at http://www.NMIsolutions.com.

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