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New Report Examines How Corporate Citizenship is Organized Inside Global Companies
New Report Examines How Corporate Citizenship is Organized Inside Global Companies
Published 01-26-09
Submitted by Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship
Chestnut Hill, MA - January 26, 2009 - A new report released by the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship confirms that managing a company’s role in society is becoming a formal part of corporate structure and management practice, with many companies internalizing the function into corporate departments and cross functional teams.
In pursuit of an answer to the frequently asked question: "How do companies organize staff to meet the demands of corporate citizenship?" Boston College collected data from global companies in a variety of industries in 2008. The survey results reveal several common models, and that departments dedicated to corporate citizenship or corporate social responsibility are beginning to emerge.
The report "Structure and Strategies, Profile of the Practice 2008: Managing Corporate Citizenship" is based on survey data from 330 global corporations, most based in North America. In addition to organizational structure, the research focused on how companies manage multiple and sometimes conflicting responsibilities to its many stakeholders.
"This groundbreaking research provides us an important baseline that we will follow on a biennial basis," said Boston College Center Executive Director Bradley K. Googins, Ph.D. "The picture emerging suggests companies will continue to formalize the corporate citizenship functions, although most still do it in a manner very idiosyncratic to the firm."
In examining the management systems associated with corporate citizenship, the Boston College researchers contend the field is in an early stage. They find it is still struggling with agreement on definitions and terms and has not yet reached consensus on what should be included within its boundaries. The research findings regarding management systems include:
- Corporate citizenship is not strongly linked to strategy or business plans in most companies
- Top management identifies corporate citizenship as important but in most companies does not exercise significant leadership on the issue
- Employees are seen as the most influential stakeholders for citizenship but inside the company are seen as the least informed
- Boards of directors are just beginning to focus on corporate citizenship issues
- Measurement and use of measures of corporate citizenship are weak
- Minimal training is being done at every level on the relevance of citizenship to the success of the business
These management trends from this survey mirror the findings of the Center's 2007 State of Corporate Citizenship in the United States that found substantial gaps in the practice of citizenship.
While the survey reveals much about what is lacking in the management of corporate citizenship, it also gives some indications of what management structure and strategies are associated with higher performing citizenship. Higher level leadership, cross-functional teamwork and dedicated department management are attributes seen in companies that have demonstrated strong performance.
Definitive answers on the "best" way for individual companies to manage corporate citizenship remain to be found. But going forward, this report offers food for thought on emerging questions about what path corporate citizenship will follow as more companies embed citizenship responsibilities into their formal organization.
About the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College
The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship is a membership-based research organization associated with the Carroll School of Management. It is committed to helping business leverage its social, economic and human assets to ensure both its success and a more just and sustainable world. As a leading resource on corporate citizenship, the Center works with global corporations to help them define, plan and operationalize their corporate citizenship. Through the power of research, management and leadership programs and the insights of its 350 corporate members, the Center creates knowledge, value and demand for corporate citizenship. www.BCCorporateCitizenship.org
Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship
Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship
The Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship connects professionals with research, insights on corporate social responsibility and management education opportunities. Founded by the Carroll School of Management, we help our member companies know more, do more and achieve more with their corporate citizenship programs. We engage over 400 member companies and more than 10,000 individuals annually to share knowledge and expertise about the practice of corporate citizenship through our executive education program, research, courses, and our annual conference. For more information on our courses, research and membership, visit ccc.bc.edu. Connect with Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship: Linkedin, Twitter, Facebook & Google+.
