December 18, 2007

Gap Exists Between Corporate Citizenship Rhetoric And Reality

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Positive attitudes about corporate citizenship among U.S. business leaders are not yet matched by positive actions, according to the State of Corporate Citizenship in the U.S survey, a project of the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and The Hitachi Foundation.

Some 60 percent of surveyed executives say corporate citizenship is part of their business strategy to a large or very great extent. But just 39 percent report it is part of their business planning process, and only 25 percent have an individual or team responsible for citizenship issues.

Seventy-six percent of executives say corporate citizenship fits their companies’ traditions and values. Yet only 36 percent report talking to their employees about corporate citizenship. Most business leaders (81%) note the impotance of valuing employees and treating them well. Yet less than half (46%) support work-life balance for all employees including hourly workers and just about a third (31%) offer training and career opportunities for their own lower-wage employees.

“Even when action could address a pressing business need, such as developing and tapping a skilled workforce, reality trails behind rhetoric,” said Barbara Dyer, President and CEO of The Hitachi Foundation. “While 41 percent felt that companies should be held responsible for improving the education and skills in the communities where they operate, only 18 percent of business are offering job training to people in economically distressed communities.”

Bookmark and Share Email this story Print this post Add your comments

Advertisers

Join the Discussion

Get EL Daily in your inbox, subscribe to free newsletter

Recent Daily News [ see all ]

  • 02/09/2010
  • 02/08/2010
  • 02/05/2010

Recent Jobs

Post a Job
Jobs powered by Simply Hired

Comments and Discussions

John Bergdoll on Accidental to Purposeful Sustainability: Using What You Already Have to Grow Sustainability
"I was following the logic your article..."

Liz Amason on Clorox Comes Clean With Chemical Content on Web Site
"But look at their ingredients listings. For example, their regular liquid bleach..."

Rigidflexibility on Companies Going Green Should Ignore Green Consumer
"I was about to market a metal working fluid that is 98>% Soybean oil and..."

Stuart on Canadian Environment Minister Denounces Quebec Vehicle Emissions Regs
"Canadians have been waiting for the feds to act on climate change for..."

Steve Wolford on Sports Teams Embrace Sustainability
"Hello Environmental Leader, We just returned from the National Sport Forum in Baltimore. Team and..."

Mauibrad on Bipartisan Senatorial Effort Seeks Cap and Trade for non-CO2 Emissions
"Finally some enlightened ideas out of Congress!"

Cameron Green on Data Centers Can Apply for Energy Star Rating in June
"I did a blog post about this. Essentially PUE doesn’t give you very much..."