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New Report Says Corporate Responsibility Builds Competitiveness - But Companies Are Failing To Recognise The Benefits

New Report Says Corporate Responsibility Builds Competitiveness - But Companies Are Failing To Recognise The Benefits

Published 12-09-03

Submitted by Business in the Community

A report published recently by Arthur D. Little and Business in the Community (BITC) concludes that addressing Corporate Responsibility can help companies build market share, control risks, attract staff, stimulate innovation, gain access to cash, reduce costs and improve competitiveness. Yet most companies still fail to recognise the benefits.

Pulling together the latest evidence on the business case for Corporate Responsibility from a wide range of sources, the report includes compelling case studies from companies of all sizes who are enjoying solid benefits from Corporate Responsibility.

Justin Keeble, a consultant with Arthur D. Little says, "There is overwhelming evidence to suggest that responsible business activity delivers compelling business benefits. Although every case is unique, companies that manage Corporate Responsibility as they do any other critical part of their business, are seeing real bottom line benefits." Charlotte Turner, of BITC says, "This is a useful summary of the growing evidence that responsible business practice makes sense all round. The case studies in particular show clearly how it can make companies more competitive and help build reputation - two key ingredients of sustained competitiveness."

The report also includes some revealing statistics to underpin the case:

  • 62% of British adults do not trust business leaders
  • Three in five of us want to work for a company whose values are consistent with our own
  • Over half the Chief Executives in Europe are arguing that the business benefits of Corporate Responsibility are not exaggerated
  • More than 32% of mainstream analysts say Corporate Responsibility is important in the evaluation of companies
  • 70% of fund managers say management of social and environmental risks has a positive impact on a company's market value in the long term
  • 70% of CEOs say Corporate Responsibility is vital to profitability.

    (Click here to view the report in PDF format)

    Notes to Editors:

    Arthur D. Little Limited
    Arthur D. Little is a global management, technology and environmental consulting group serving major public and private sector clients. We are one of the world's premier consulting firms, with more than 1,000 staff members based in around 40 offices around the world. We have a strong cultural tradition of innovation, integrity and independence. We are distinguished particularly by our understanding of technology in both business and societal contexts, our ability to innovate in order to solve tough problems, and our emphasis on objectivity and clarity. We work side-by-side
    with our clients, transferring our knowledge whilst always respecting their insights and experience.

    Typically we manage approximately 2,000 assignments in 60 countries every year. We are proud to serve more than 75% of Fortune 100 companies, in addition to many other leading firms and public sector organisations.

    In the UK we employ some 100 consulting staff in our offices in London and Cambridge. We provide a full range of management consulting services to the UK market and overseas through our global Practices. Our key services include Strategy and Organisation, Technology and Innovation Management, Performance Improvement and Environment, Safety and Risk Management. Arthur D. Little has dedicated industry Practices providing leading expertise and knowledge including Energy, Health Care, Chemicals, Travel and Transportation, Public Services, Engineering and Manufacturing, Utilities, Financial Services and the Telecommunications, IT, Media and Electronics (TIME) industries.

    www.adlittle.uk.com
    www.adl.com

    Business in the Community
    Business in the Community is a unique movement in the UK of over 700 member companies, with a further 1600 participating in our programmes and campaigns. We operate through a network of 88 local business-led partnerships, as well as working with 45 global partners.

    Our purpose is to inspire, challenge, engage and support business in continually improving its positive impact on society. Members of Business in the Community commit to action and to the continual improvement of their company's impact on society.

    Our members commit to:

    Integrate, manage and measure responsible business practice throughout their business
    Impact through collaborative action to tackle disadvantage
    Inspire, innovate and lead by sharing learning and experience

    Business in the Community works globally through its partnership with the International Business Leaders Forum. We work across the European Union as a partner of CSR Europe and as the co-ordinator of the Cecile Network.

    Together our member companies employ over 15.7 million people in over 200 countries worldwide. In the UK our members employ over 1 in 5 of the private sector workforce.

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