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From the Director of GoodCorporation
I am writing in response to the concerns expressed about ‘code overload’ which were raised in last month’s issue (Vol. 2, issue 9).
Both companies and stakeholders seem to be spoiled for choice when looking for a standard in the world of CSR. The standards on offer range from sector-specific guidelines which help companies respond to individual industry concerns, to issue-specific guidelines for stakeholder interests such as the environment or labour standards. The sheer number and range of standards available is leading to a situation in which companies may be tempted to shop around for the easiest code or even give up completely, suffering from code fatigue.
However, whether supranational or national, self-regulatory or independently verified, all these standards were developed to meet some need. For this reason, CSR standards play an important role in encouraging responsible behaviour.
It is still very early days for these standards. For all the concern about the number of existing codes, the reality is that the majority of organisations have yet to sign up to any CSR code.
No single standard exists to ensure that all organisations in all sectors in every country can demonstrate good corporate citizenship. Until that happens, serious standards that encourage better behaviour in any aspect of corporate life are useful.
The problem, perhaps, lies not so much in the number of standards but in how they interact with each other and are then communicated to their target audiences.
No organization can claim to have reached a nirvana of good corporate behaviour. Those companies already committed to good corporate citizenship need standards to push them towards best practice in all areas, from labour standards to community involvement and environmental performance.
At the other end of the scale, those new to CSR also need to be reassured that there is a business as well as an ethical case for socially responsible behaviour. Multinationals have led the way, but CSR is also an issue for smaller companies, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations.
In these sectors, a framework for ethical behaviour is only just emerging. The reality for all standard-setters is that we have not yet found what will actually work. The market will take some time to evolve and settle down and there is no quick fix.
Large companies, for the sake of their own reputations, need supply chains to take CSR seriously and the companies are looking for a framework to get this process under way.
GoodCorporation (www.goodcorporation.com) has produced a straightforward, easily implemented framework that centres on an independently verified standard covering a broad range of stakeholder relationships.
A key objective of the GoodCorporation standard is to extend socially responsible behaviour in the corporate sector beyond large companies. By working together, the different standards can most effectively respond to the different needs of companies and stakeholders. Collectively, we can raise the profile of CSR, and ultimately encourage every organisation to be socially responsible.
Leo Martin
I am writing in response to the concerns expressed about ‘code overload’ which were raised in last month’s issue (Vol. 2, issue 9).
Both companies and stakeholders seem to be spoiled for choice when looking for a standard in the world of CSR. The standards on offer range from sector-specific guidelines which help companies respond to individual industry concerns, to issue-specific guidelines for stakeholder interests such as the environment or labour standards. The sheer number and range of standards available is leading to a situation in which companies may be tempted to shop around for the easiest code or even give up completely, suffering from code fatigue.
However, whether supranational or national, self-regulatory or independently verified, all these standards were developed to meet some need. For this reason, CSR standards play an important role in encouraging responsible behaviour.
It is still very early days for these standards. For all the concern about the number of existing codes, the reality is that the majority of organisations have yet to sign up to any CSR code.
No single standard exists to ensure that all organisations in all sectors in every country can demonstrate good corporate citizenship. Until that happens, serious standards that encourage better behaviour in any aspect of corporate life are useful.
The problem, perhaps, lies not so much in the number of standards but in how they interact with each other and are then communicated to their target audiences.
No organization can claim to have reached a nirvana of good corporate behaviour. Those companies already committed to good corporate citizenship need standards to push them towards best practice in all areas, from labour standards to community involvement and environmental performance.
At the other end of the scale, those new to CSR also need to be reassured that there is a business as well as an ethical case for socially responsible behaviour. Multinationals have led the way, but CSR is also an issue for smaller companies, the public sector and not-for-profit organisations.
In these sectors, a framework for ethical behaviour is only just emerging. The reality for all standard-setters is that we have not yet found what will actually work. The market will take some time to evolve and settle down and there is no quick fix.
Large companies, for the sake of their own reputations, need supply chains to take CSR seriously and the companies are looking for a framework to get this process under way.
GoodCorporation (www.goodcorporation.com) has produced a straightforward, easily implemented framework that centres on an independently verified standard covering a broad range of stakeholder relationships.
A key objective of the GoodCorporation standard is to extend socially responsible behaviour in the corporate sector beyond large companies. By working together, the different standards can most effectively respond to the different needs of companies and stakeholders. Collectively, we can raise the profile of CSR, and ultimately encourage every organisation to be socially responsible.
Leo Martin
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