The Magazine of Corporate Responsibility

Archive for November, 2009

Thomson Reuters Acquisition: ESG Information in Demand

Information on issues related to the environment, society and governance – what’s known in the investment community as “ESG”- is becoming an increasingly important commodity as institutional investors seek data to drive their portfolio decision-making. The most recent news in that regard is Thomson Reuters’ acquisition of Swiss environmental, social responsibility and governance data provider ASSET4.

VIDEO: Sustainability – Fuqua Business Dean Blair Sheppard

Dean of the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University Blair Sheppard talks about how sustainability became embedded into global business plans and where to search for the next big opportunities.

Good Corp., Bad Corp. – Corporate Citizenship and the Bottom Line

Investment Advisor magazine interviews Stanford University’s David Baron on his research about corporate citizenship and its impact on companies’ financial and stock performance. The research has implications for financial advisors and their clients interested in socially responsible investment portfolios.

IBM Survey Finds CSR Enters “Strategic Realm”

The old political and business adage holds that “information is power.” But information may also be one of the keys to successful corporate social responsibility – which has become a “strategic objective” for business leaders worldwide, according to a new survey conducted by computer services giant IBM.

BOOKS: Andrew Ross Sorkin’s “Too Big To Fail”

New York Times reporter Andrew Ross Sorkin’s “Too Big to Fail” is too good to put down. Chock-a-block with color and fly-on-the-wall detail, it chronicles bankers and government regulators searching desperately for solutions to the global financial crisis of 2008.

VIDEO: Cisco’s John Chambers Discusses Corporate Social Responsibility

Cisco CEO John Chambers discussing corporate social responsibility with The Wall Street Journal.

Majority of Cisco Shareholders Urge “Say on Executive Pay”

Shareholders of Cisco Systems Inc. narrowly approved – with 51% of the vote – a proposal to give investors a nonbinding vote on executive pay at the networking-equipment company.

Should Mary Buy Her Bonus? What Would You Do?

A real-life Business Ethics case study: If Mary donated $1,000 for a school to buy products, she would hit her million-dollar goal. At first thought, this seemed like a win-win solution. But then she found herself wondering, what should she do?

WWYD: When Debt Collection Over-Reaches

Another real-life Business Ethics case study: It wasn’t a story Roger Harris relished seeing on the front page of the local paper. As communications director for a non-profit group of hospitals that prided itself on serving charity cases, he winced as he read. Elaine Peters, an 82-year-old living on Social Security, had seen half her monthly income vanish without her permission – garnished from her checking account by the hospital’s collection agency.

Disney, Microsoft Lead Big Company CSR List

It’s a source of constant discussion and debate. Which companies excel at corporate social responsibility? The latest survey of U.S. firms – based on consumer sentiment – puts the Walt Disney Company on top, with Microsoft Corp a close second.