Report shows corporate responsibility weathering the economic storm

13 November 2009:

The findings of the 2009 State of Corporate Citizenship in the United States released today reveal that, despite the recession, corporate citizenship practices are ingrained in increasing numbers of American businesses. A majority (54 percent) of business leaders report that attention to corporate citizenship efforts is even more important in a recession.

The executives also say business should take a greater role solving problems in health care, product safety, education, and climate change, but dismiss the need for greater regulatory oversight by the federal government.

Our research team also saw significant expansion of environmental sustainability efforts (greening of products, services and operations), and increasing integration of corporate citizenship into the business strategy, with 75% of CEOs leading the agenda and 40 percent of all companies (65% for large companies) have a team or individual assigned to work on corporate citizenship issues.

As in the 2007 survey, the most recent data also show that attitudes of support for corporate citizenship are strong but there remain some gaps between those beliefs and the practices and investments of some businesses.

It’s worth setting aside a couple of hours to read the full report. The executives were asked about a wide range of topics – from what drives their company’s corporate citizenship (reputational value and the companies’ traditions and values top the list) to how their philanthropy is faring (38 percent reported a decline in giving) to how the economy is affecting R&D for new sustainable products (up 15 percent) and so much more.

The State of Corporate Citizenship in the United States 2009 is a joint project of the Boston College Center and The Hitachi Foundation. It is the only research of its kind to provide a comprehensive overview of small, medium, and large-sized U.S. businesses.