Public Questions CSR Motives of Top Companies

Companies May Be Wasting Millions on CSR Initiatives: Many of the world’s 100 most reputable companies have little to show for the millions of dollars they spend on Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives, according to the Reputation Institute’s 2012 CSR RepTrak 100 Study.

The study says 60% of the 47,000 respondents across the 15 markets were unsure if companies are good corporate citizens that support good causes and protect the environment; 4% said they believe that companies could absolutely not be trusted.

The study confirms that companies that make reputation management and CSR a driving force in their business strategy realize results. For example, a five-point increase in a CSR rating would result in a 9.1% rise in the number of people who would definitely recommend a company. Other findings include:

  • Microsoft has the best reputation for CSR in the world according to the study, followed byGoogle, The Walt Disney Co., BMW, Apple, Daimler, VW, SONY, LEGO and Colgate-Palmolive

  • 54% of respondents agree that Microsoft is a responsibly run company earning it the top spot for Governance

  • Only 6% perceive the Top 100 companies as good corporate citizens

  • 17% definitely trust what companies promise in their advertising and marketing communications

  • 18% trust what companies say in official reports

Source: Reputation Institute

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