The final blog in our series on stakeholder engagement (part 1 | part 2) looks at the psychosocial factors that underlie group brain storming, and why collaborative forums are emerging as an effective tool for business. We know that collaboration between individuals is particularly effective when attempting to generate unique and constructive solutions to problems. Group brainstorming has been shown to produce more high quality and relevant ideas compared to individual efforts1, 2. Exposure to others’ ideas has been shown … “Why are online Collaboration Forums effective for engaging stakeholders?”
We’re starting this week’s blog with a brief history of stakeholder engagement on corporate responsibility. Looking back to the eighties, corporate stakeholder engagement on sustainability was initially oriented towards governments and environmental compliance. Push-back on infrastructure and development from communities was the main catalyst for public consultations, which were largely local, box-ticking exercises. As we moved into the 1990s, the rise of a more empowered civil society culminated with the Battle of Seattle protests at the WTO meeting as the … “What is the future of stakeholder engagement?”
The first blog in our series on stakeholder engagement starts with the basics – why does stakeholder engagement matter? We’ve identified three key trends that help answer this question and give direction on how business can gain more value from stakeholder relations. First, companies are having to manage the rapidly changing dynamics of the relationship between business and society. They are being increasingly compelled to engage in dialogue and collaborate with their stakeholders, rather than simply communicating to them. While … “Why does stakeholder engagement matter?”
Much has been written about the benefits of engaging employees on corporate social responsibility or sustainability efforts. Take GlobeScan board member Kellie McElhaney’s assertion in her book, “Just Good Business”: “Study after study shows that CSR is significantly linked to employees’ satisfaction. Employees tend to feel good about coming to work and earning a paycheck, as well as about contributing to some sort of social or environmental issue.” GlobeScan’s research has indicated that for many employees their company is engaging … “You’re Talking to Employees About Sustainability Wrong”
Earlier this week, Dutch pension fund PGGM Vermogensbeheer B.V announced that they would cease investment in US retail giant Walmart, citing the company’s failure to engage with their concerns, particularly over labour issues. Two years ago, GlobeScan examined the public’s perceptions of Walmart and found that it was cited as socially irresponsible by many more than described it as responsible. In 2013, that trust deficit persists. When asked, unprompted, to name a socially responsible company, 2 percent cited Walmart, whereas … “Labour Issues at Heart of Walmart’s Reputational Problems”
With frustration at the lack of progress on sustainability being expressed from many quarters, who should we be expecting to drive change? Experts in sustainability tend to believe the impetus has to come from consumers: when asked about sustainability supply and demand dynamics earlier this year, only around one in four (23%) thought that society required a greater supply of regulations and options for consumers from companies and governments, while 41 percent thought that more consumer demand is required. Experts … “Governments, Businesses, and Consumers Look to Each Other to Drive Increased Sustainability”
With the airwaves often dominated by discussion of economic indicators and GDP, a casual observer could be forgiven for thinking that this was the only valid measure of a country’s development. However, nearly seven in ten citizens across eleven countries think that a broader measure—one incorporating health, environmental, and social statistics—should be used instead of GDP to measure national progress. Drawn from our most recent work with Ethical Markets, the ICAEW, and business think-tank Tomorrow’s Company, these figures from 11 … “Consensus Remains Among Global Public on the Need to go “Beyond GDP””
The past week has seen an escalating war of words between big business and policymakers over the taxes paid by multinationals. Apple and Google came under fire from UK and US legislators, while European leaders pledged concerted action to close tax loopholes. However, GlobeScan’s 2013 polling reveals that for the global public, payment of taxes is the bare minimum they expect of companies. Across 24 countries, around a quarter (23%) say they believe that companies’ main responsibility is to pay … “Amid tension over corporate tax affairs, public looks to a new role for companies”
Job losses at Anglo American Platinum and Rio Tinto, as well as the possible liquidation of UK Coal, are just three incidents from recent weeks that highlight the headwinds facing the mining industry, with commodity prices remaining depressed. GlobeScan’s polling shows that the industry faces similar challenges connecting with the general public. In most of the countries surveyed in our Radar global public attitudes tracking, majorities cannot name a single mining company they respect. To some degree this low public … “Mining industry faces a struggle to win public hearts and minds”
Across the world both human and animal rights movements remain popular, with millions around the world joining advocacy and campaigning groups. Activists may sometimes find themselves on the wrong side of public opinion, such as when animal rights activists target the life sciences industry, or when the legal battles of criminals and terrorists are protracted, alienating the general population. But public support for the rights agenda nonetheless remains high. In our most recent global polling, 76% of those polled across … “High public concern for human rights – but UK among countries where animal rights seen as more important”