Partner Article

Survey scrutinises social responsibility attitudes among businesses

The Forum of Private Business has released the results of a survey, delving into businesses attitudes to corporate social responsibility.

The research was published to coincide with the launch of the ‘Trading for Good’ campaign, and to tie in with the Government’s renewed focus on the Big Society agenda.

52% of businesses said they donate to charities, and 46% support other small, local firms where possible.

Under 20% of respondents give their employees time off to support good causes, while 15% fulfil local leadership or governance roles.

The survey also asked questions around the development of school and college pupils, as 40% provide work experience placements, and 14% provide work placements or apprenticeships for unemployed people.

Stretched resource was identified as the main barrier to firms becoming more involved in their local communities, as was red tape, and a lack of rewards.

17% of respondents suggested they already ‘do their bit’ to contribute to the Big Society, and some identified simply surviving and keeping people in employment as a contribution to the agenda.

Elsewhere, 4% said supporting their supply chain via wealth creation contributed, as did fair payment practices (3%).

The Trading for Good campaign allows businesses to set up profiles to promote their positive corporate social responsibility activities.

It was launched this week in London, with guest speakers such as the Prime Minister’s adviser on corporate responsibility, Philip Green, and Minister for Employment Relations, Consumer and Postal Affairs, Norman Lamb.

Forum senior policy adviser, Alex Jackman, said: “While encouraging more SMEs to export is important, small businesses are an integral part of their local communities and need help to trade locally, regionally and nationally, as well as internationally.

“From supporting their local workforce to working closely with suppliers, business owners want to get involved in the ‘big society’ and many already are – certainly most take their CSR duties very seriously.

“However, our research shows that they simply have to devote all of their time to running their businesses, which usually means an uphill struggle against a myriad of issues including mounting red tape, taxation and late payment.

“Instead, we need a commercial environment that facilitates a culture of entrepreneurship and enables more entrepreneurs to become active in their communities.

“It is important that businesses, their staff and customers - and of course central and local government - pull together to get the economy back on track. While there have been some significant improvements since we launched Referendum in 1977 that sentiment remains as true now as it was back then.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .