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”
This article was originally published on GreenBiz.com, as part of our Proof Points blog series. 4 July 2013 – Given the lack of momentum on the global sustainability agenda in recent years, an atmosphere of mutual frustration between various levels of society is understandable. If nothing else, it inclines some to ask: Who do we turn to in order to drive the agenda forward? When our panel of sustainability experts at GlobeScan is asked whether we need more supply of or demand … “Should Supply or Demand Drive Sustainable Products?”
With businesses, citizens and governments around the world adjusting to a ‘new normal’ of low growth and contending with an ever-growing set of complex social and environmental challenges, how are public attitudes towards the corporate world and its place in society changing? And how can business respond? Through our annual global polling on business in society that informs the GlobeScan Radar program, we conducted a webinar on June 27, 2013 that looked at the current state of public trust in … “How Global Business Can Respond to Societal Expectations: A GlobeScan Radar Webinar”
An executive summary of the summative report from The Regeneration Roadmap, a joint project by GlobeScan and SustainAbility.
The summative report from The Regeneration Roadmap, a joint project by GlobeScan and SustainAbility.
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”
Report and Video Summary BT’s Better Future Forum is an online discussion that brings together the world’s leading thinkers to share and develop new strategies to help build a more sustainable future for everyone. On 2 July 2013, hundreds of sustainability experts from around the world joined GlobeScan and BT in a global online conversation to explore how the power of ‘net positive’ strategies can help businesses play their part in a shared better future. Participants were joined by senior executives … “BT’s Better Future Forum”
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”
Traditional company communications are least trusted sources of information on sustainability NEW YORK CITY – 21 May 2013 – Trust is no longer in your hands. According to a study by GlobeScan, SustainAbility, and BBMG, social sources of trust like consumer reviews, blogs and message boards (28%) as well as friends, family and co-workers (27%) now rival traditional sources like certifications (40%) and media reports (31%) as consumers’ most trusted sources for determining whether a product is socially and environmentally responsible. Barely one … “Global Study Finds Peers, Consumer Reviews Now Rival Certifications As Top Sources of Trust on Product Sustainability Claims”
This article by Eric Whan originally appeared on GreenBiz.com, as part of our Proof Points blog series. 15 May 2013 – Each year, GlobeScan’s Sustainability Leaders survey asks experts to name a company they regard as a leader in sustainability. As Joel Makower noted recently, one company above all others — Unilever — has emerged as the sustainability champion par excellence in recent years, thanks to its highly ambitious Sustainable Living Plan. And this year, more than one in four experts mention the company is stretching its lead over the … “When Will Emerging Economies Embrace Sustainability?”