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Report shows half consider companies lacking when it comes to issues like jobs, environment
The Beijing public is strongly dissatisfied with the social conduct of leading companies in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical sectors, according to a survey.
The study, by the Research Center for Corporate Social Responsibility at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, also showed that at the other end of the satisfaction scale, retailers and banks were fulfilling their CSR duties, amid what the survey called "rising social expectations".
More than half of the 2,000 people surveyed in the capital city said they consider that Chinese enterprises in general should be responsible for some social problems, particularly when it comes to environmental protection, ensuring the qualities of products, water pollution, food safety and emissions.
The respondents also said they were dissatisfied with the responsibility being taken by corporations toward employment opportunities, corruption and the overpriced property market.
"The public cares much more about enterprises operating with integrity and credibility, compared to several years ago," said Zhong Hongwu, the research center's director.
"Ensuring the quality of their products, paying taxes in accordance with the law, and being environmentally responsible are now the focus of attention."
Zhong said the center hopes the release of the report will prompt more companies into improving their management internally, and advance their marketing and branding externally.
Many of China's best-known companies already claim to have achieved sustainable growth while operating with credibility and integrity.
Geng Chen, director of public relations of IBM Corp in China, said: "Companies fulfilling their social responsibilities not only contributes to social public welfare, but also constitutes the internal impetus that drives long-term growth."
Wei Ting, deputy director of the social responsibility department at Hainan Airlines Co Ltd, said that aviation companies - a sector regularly under the spotlight for its emissions record - tend to take higher environmental responsibilities.
"We aim to lower our carbon emissions, introduce incentive programs, and contribute to social welfare projects."
The survey also revealed that when it comes to price, Beijing residents were willing to pay 10-20 percent more to ensure the quality of what they were buying. It also showed that many now consider social media platforms as important channels on which to comment on, and get information on issues related to corporate social responsibility.
Asked which foreign enterprises they considered as performing best when it comes to CSR, South Korean multinational companies topped the list for the second year running. Samsung Group, LG Corp, steelmaking company POSCO, and the Hyundai Motor Co took four of the top 10 positions.
zhuwenqian@chinadaily.com.cn
