KPMG survey findings show that business hasn't lost its appetite for corporate responsibility

This summer – in conjunction with KPMG - we have been surveying our members and website visitors to understand and assess the impact of the recession on their corporate responsibility (CR) programmes. The survey’s purpose is to highlight the opportunities to be gained in this climate as well as the drawbacks; and help to shape our future programmes.

The findings were encouraging. Not only did the majority of respondents reaffirm their company’s commitment to CR despite the downturn; they also told us that they are making more effort to sharpen their CR focus and quantify its impacts.

Integration, customers and climate change

95% of the survey respondents said that their organisations are committed to corporate responsibility whatever the economic climate and 87% report the same level of interest in employee engagement. The significant majority show that there is more focus now on integration, with 78% saying there is more emphasis on quantifying impact and communicating corporate responsibility.

The top three priorities for corporate responsibility in business are now seen to be integration, customers and climate change, which together with staff recruitment and retention have increased in priority since the downturn.

Budget

63% say there has been no change in budget. Interestingly, for those with less budget available, there seems to be more of a focus on increasing internal communications and engagement. 

In fact, 72% of respondents say there has been more of an opportunity to debate corporate responsibility. Of course, more discussion across the business inevitably brings more analysis and emphasis on the need for corporate responsibility practice across organisations.

79% of respondents plan to support an annual charity, and interestingly - commitment among our member companies has remained strong throughout the downturn, with levels of membership and engagement with us remaining steady throughout the financial crisis.

Corporate responsibility more important than ever

We welcome the results of this survey and have communicated and illustrated throughout this year that in a recession; corporate responsibility is more important than ever.

In a recent comment, our Chief Executive Stephen Howard said that "How businesses live and communicate their values and vision cannot be done by publishing statements or group rehearsal of values – it requires action and engagement."

You can read more of Stephen Howard's comment at the link below:

Taking stock: The future of corporate responsibility