A survey by the McKinsey Quarterly

I was sent a link to a survey conducted by the McKinsey Quarterly about the role business executives play as public leaders. I thought it was relevant to my blog topic as it examined the different motivations of executives who play in active role in addressing social issues.

Some of the survey's findings included:

• 1/2 of those surveyed believed business executives should play a leading role in addressing social issues such as health care, education and foreign policy
• In reality though, only one-seventh of the respondents consider themselves to be actively involved in social issues
• Those who play an active role are likely to be board members or CEOs and often represent privately owned companies
• Executives participate in tackling public issues through either their companies' activities or as private citizens

In regards to motivation, the survey found:

• Those actively involved are often motivated by personal reasons and act as private citizens
• Executives who do not play any role in addressing social issues believe that those who do are primarily motivated by business reasons and are acting as representatives of their company
• Almost two out of three executives who claim to take a leadership role however, say they are motivated by personal reasons and act as private citizens
• National and global issues are more important than local issues
• Issues surrounding the health of the US economy, federal regulations, and the supply and price of energy are more important to shareholder value then to executives personally
• The US health care system, foreign policy, and education are issues more important personally to executives than to shareholder value

Factors that influence executives to take part in social issues include:

• Having a strong network of peers interested in public issues
• A in-depth understanding and comprehensive knowledge of facts about public issues
• Meanwhile, the biggest factor that stops executives from taking part is lack of time

From this survey it can be concluded that motivations vary when it comes to business executives partaking in social issues. It was interesting to me that those who claim to be active leaders say they are motivated by personal interests, but those who do not take take part in addressing social issues have a more cynical approach to CSR. They believe that the motivation is based on business reasons. It seems that quite a few business executives believe they have a responsibility to society to be active leaders in social responsibility despite the fact that few actually are.

The article about this survey can be found at: http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/article_abstract.aspx?ar=1909&L2=21&L3=114&srid=246 you must register with the McKinsey Quarterly to see the full article, but registration is free.

Switching from HPR to CSR

It has been awhile since my last post, but I have decided to switch topics and focus on an issue in public relations which I find both interesting and important. That issue surrounds the communication practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR).

I chose to switch my focus to this communication discipline for a number of reasons.

1. I am interested in the career possibilities in CSR
2. The debates and issues surrounding CSR are thought-provoking
3. I am hoping to write my dissertation on CSR and sport

I recently wrote an essay about CSR for my corporate communication class that focused on the various approaches corporations take towards social responsibility. During my research however, another question arose in my mind, one which I hope to find the answer to through this blog. That question was:

Does motivation matter when it comes to CSR?

Throughout my research for my corporate communication's essay I kept coming across the argument that companies should practise CSR because it results in increased profits, keeps advocacy organisations happy (resulting in them leaving the company alone), enhances reputation and creates positive publicity. As I was reading this the question that continually popped up inside my head was, do corporations actually care about "doing the right thing" or is it all about what is in it for them?

I hope I can provide evidence that some corporations are motivated for reasons other then pure self-interest, but we shall see.