A study examined the relationships between corporations based at Canary Wharf and east London communities over the past 20 years. It examined companies' corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities and found that corporations were deeply engaged in the well-being of communities. Activities included education, training and the mentoring of young people. The study reported significant risks around issues such as the sustainability of CSR activities, the selectivity of corporate initiatives, and wider economic uncertainty.
Source: Johanna Wadsley, Cathy McIlwaine, Jane Wills, Alastair Owens, and Alison Blunt, Mapping Corporate Philanthropy and Community Engagement in East London: A research report, Centre for Public Engagement (Queen Mary University)
Links: Report | QMUL press release
Date: 2013-Nov
A study examined the extent and nature of business support for local voluntary and community organizations. It found that support for, and engagement with, the voluntary sector was low, with few organizations receiving financial support from local businesses. However, this varied by location, as wealthier areas tended to have a greater number of small businesses. The study found some examples of positive practice, suggesting there were possible benefits from developing relationships with business.
Source: Nadia Bashir, Chris Dayson, Will Eadson, and Peter Wells, Local Business Giving: Between the raffle prize and a new source of funding, Centre for Regional, Economic and Social Research (Sheffield Hallam University)
Links: Report | CRESR press release | NAVCA press release
Date: 2013-Nov
An article examined the development of corporate social responsibility in the European Union. It said that Europe's institutional diversity had hampered standard setting, whereas economic crises and declining levels of business legitimacy had facilitated it.
Source: Daniel Kinderman, 'Corporate social responsibility in the EU, 1993-2013: institutional ambiguity, economic crises, business legitimacy and bureaucratic politics', Journal of Common Market Studies, Volume 51 Issue 4
Links: Abstract
Date: 2013-Jun
A paper examined the existing legal framework and practices in European countries regarding non-financial and sustainability-related reporting by European companies, and the role and involvement of trade union representatives in this form of reporting. Even in the best countries there was little evidence that non-financial reporting practices went beyond traditional items. Moreover, workforce and workplace conditions were not seen as a key part of sustainability concerns, and workers' representatives were not sufficiently involved in the long-term sustainability policy of their companies.
Source: Jan Cremers, Non-Financial Reporting Beyond the Strict Minimum: Is the workforce a well-informed stakeholder?, Working Paper 2013.02, European Trade Union Institute
Links: Paper | EPSU press release
Date: 2013-Mar
A paper examined the existing legal framework and practices in 28 European countries regarding non-financial and sustainability-related reporting by European companies, and the role and involvement of trade union representatives in this form of reporting.
Source: Jan Cremers, Non-Financial Reporting Beyond the Strict Minimum: Is the workforce a well-informed stakeholder?, Working Paper 2013.02, European Trade Union Institute
Links: Paper
Date: 2013-Feb
A think-tank report said that executive pay packages in large companies were overwhelmingly linked to short-term financial measures of corporate performance, such as earnings and share price movement. As a result, executives were encouraged to focus on short-termism, cost cutting, and the need for quick returns.
Source: Paid to Perform? What do we want our business leaders to achieve?, High Pay Centre
Links: Report | HPC press release
Date: 2013-Jan