Why should good corporate citizenship be an indispensable part of successful business? What role does implementing workplace standards play in corporate citizenship? How can companies around the world treat their employees well and gain measurable business benefits at the same time? CIPE and SAI (Social Accountability International) have just released a new case studies book that addresses these questions:
“From Words to Action: A Business Case for Implementing Workplace Standards”
In emerging markets, the issue of corporate social responsibility, or corporate citizenship, is especially relevant as poor governance institutions and weak rule of law put pressure on companies to take the lead in ensuring that their operations are in accordance with international standards. In this new publication, CIPE and SAI take a closer look at how companies can improve workplace conditions and demonstrate the benefits of doing so for workers and businesses. Investment in human capital has a high rate of return because healthier, better-trained, and more loyal staff drives quality, productivity, innovation, the sustainability of enterprise, and success in competitive international markets.
- China: A garment factory sees improved relationships between management and workers and greater efficiency with a focus on capacity building, internalization, and ownership of compliance programs.
- India: A world-renowned steel manufacturer with a long history of responsible labor practices traces the usefulness of international standards in managing contract workers and vendor companies that supply contract labor.
- Turkey: A textile company increases its appeal to consumers through more responsible practices and demonstrates benefits for workers and managers alike.
The cases illustrate just a few examples of good corporate citizenship regarding the workplace. They can – and should – be replicated elsewhere because the principles underlying corporate citizenship are universal.
