Corporate social responsibility - business in the community

Business in the Community BITC is an independent charity set up by leading business organisations to inspire, engage, support an challenge continually improve the impact they have on society It defines CSR as a companys positive impact on society and the environment, through its operations, products or services and through its interaction with ey sta eholders! "www#bitc#org#u $ The BITC index %ach year BITC conducts a self assessment survey on how companies are managing, measuring and reporting their social and environmental impacts &or each of community, environment, mar et place and wor place assessment is made in terms of'

Community issues %nvironmental issues (ar et place issues )or place issues

Scores are given and a BITC inde* is produced How the BITC measures CSR:

Commitment to CSR is evaluated in terms of the e*tent to which' Responsibilities have been clearly defined at all levels +olicies are in place to ensure responsible business behaviour ,b-ectives and targets have been set to create improvement There are effective communications systems to share nowledge Training is provided to ensure competency and delivery of ob-ectives . process is in place for sta eholder consultation and engagement There are monitoring systems in place to assess and report progress /ey issues, targets and performance are reported 0uic ly#

BITC Index 2006: the top 20

Co1operative Ban # B..# Barclays BT 2ational 3rid

+rice)aterhouseCoopers C% %lectric 4/ Scottish and Southern %nergy 5eolia )ater 4/ Boots Co1operative Insurance 6B,S 7loyds TSB 8ohn 7ewis +artnership R)% 2power Tesco Rec itt Benc iser Rolls Royce 4nited 4tilities .nd -oint 9:th1 BBC,(;S, Scottish +ower, Severn Trent )ater#

(Source :Sunday Times 7/5/06) Case study in CSR - Tesco Tesco went on the offensive against criticism that it is an uncaring retail giant by unveiling a plan in turn it into a better neighbour! In addition to the investing in sustainable environmental technology such as wind turbine to light its stores, Tesco announced a <: point action plan )as this a genuine measure or corporate responsibility or an attempt to defect criticism of the power of the supermar et giants= Tescos Ten Point Action P an:

6alve average energy used in Tesco buildings by 9:<: compared with 9::: >ouble the amount that customers recycle at stores by 9::? (a e all carrier bags degradable +ut nutritional labeling on all own brand products by 9::@ 6elp educate parents about healthier food for their children 3et 9m people running, cycling or wal ing in sponsored events leading up to the 9:<9 ,lympics Be a 0uieter neighbour by cutting the number of deliveries to %*press convenience stores (ore consultation before building new stores from 9::@ (a e it easier for small suppliers to gain access to Tesco Sell more local product than other retailers and introduce regional counters into stores