KPMG has published on October, 27 its International Survey of Corporate Responsibility Reporting. The 2008 survey was conducted in 22 countries and with more than 2200 businesses around the world. The sample has included the Global Fortune (G250) and the 100 largest companies by revenue (N100) in 22 countries.
One of the most significant findings of the 2008 Survey is that nearly 80% of the largest 250 companies in the world have issued reports. In 2005, the percentage was only 50%. Another important finding is that ethical considerations and innovation emerge as the most important drivers for reporting.
I will focus on the findings regarding the role of stakeholders in the reporting process.
Nearly two-thirds of the G250 companies engage with their stakeholders in a structured way, up to 33 percent in 2005. According to the Survey, only 42% of the N100 companies engage in a structured dialogue with the stakeholders. 65% percent of the G250 companies disclose details of who their stakeholders are and how they are engaged while less than 50% of the N100 companies provide this kind of information.
The stakeholders are involved in the definition of the corporate responsibility strategy only in 37%of the G250 companies and in 20% of the N100 companies. Only 25% of the G250 companies and 14% of the N100 companies declare that they use stakeholder feedback for reporting purposes.
The most used channels and methods for engaging with stakeholders are round tables, questionnaires, web-based feedback. Ironically, the established forums for stakeholder communications are the least utilized for corporate responsibility issues: annual general meetings, analyst presentations, direct interactions with customers.
According to KPMG, “this could be an indication that corporate responsibility is not fully integrated as a priority in a company’s main operations. It may also be a reflection, especially in the G250 population of a lack of attention paid to environmental risks and opportunities by investors and other providers of capital.”
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