MPs Approve Idea of CSR Managers

A majority (60%) of MPs in a poll conducted by BPRI approve the idea of dedicated Directors / Managers for CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) with major companies. However, this does not excuse Chief Execs from accountability - the buck still stops at the top.

The results are highly topical, both in the research community after VNU's appointment of a dedicated VP for CSR last week, and in the wider business world with the Government currently drafting corporate manslaughter legislation. Obviously, the ideas of ethical companies, ethical investment and 'business and community' have been around for a long time, but the concept has crystallised into 'CSR' in the last 3 years following a wave of high profile cases including, in the US and UK, accounting scandals at Enron and WorldCom, financial problems at Equitable Life and most recently the problems of the rail services company, Jarvis.

Whilst 77% of UK back-bench MPs believe that Chief Executives should have responsibility for CSR, they are generally not expected to shoulder the burden alone. Far more MPs think CSR Managers should be appointed than believe that the function should reside with execs in communications, PR or HR.

BPRI Research Director David Burton says it is clear from the findings that 'MPs regard this as something that is so important it must be dealt with by the person who is ultimately answerable for what the company does, and at a strategic level'.

BPRI is part of the WPP Group. The research among MPs was carried out via a self-completion questionnaire.

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas unless otherwise stated.

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