Business as usual doesn’t cut it anymore for many companies around the world. They are becoming environmentally and socially responsible citizens, and demand the same from their vendors. Data from the Grant Thornton International Business Report reveals what’s driving this change and how it’s playing out across the globe. Based on more than 2,500 interviews with business leaders, this infographic shows how the U.S. and 33 other countries stack up in their race for claiming responsible corporate citizenship. See more at: http://gt-us.co/ZLFN4u

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SUSTAINABILITY DRIVERS: DIFFERENT ECONOMIES, DIFFERENT PRIORITIES
About the IBR survey
The Grant Thornton International Business Report (IBR) is the world’s leading mid market business
survey, interviewing approximately 2,500 senior executives every quarter from listed and privately
held companies all over the world. Launched in 1992 in nine European countries, the report now
surveys more than 10,000 businesses leaders in over 30 economies on an annual basis, providing
insights on the economic and commercial issues affecting companies globally.
The data in this infographic is drawn from more than 2,500 interviews with CEOs, managing
directors, chairmen and other senior decision-makers from all industry sectors in mid market
businesses in 34 economies conducted in May 2014. The U.S. sample was 300 companies. The
definition of mid market varies across the world: In China, we interview businesses with 100–1,000
employees; in the United States, those with US$20M to US$2B in annual revenues.
How companies
act on corporate
social responsibility
Business as usual doesn’t cut it anymore for many companies around the world. They
are becoming environmentally and socially responsible citizens, and demand the same
from their vendors. Data from the Grant Thornton International Business Report reveals
what’s driving this change and how it’s playing out across the globe. Based on more
than 2,500 interviews with business leaders, this infographic shows how the U.S. and
33 other countries stack up in their race for claiming responsible corporate citizenship.
Differences emerge for
the least popular initiatives:
U.S. Global
Donating to community causes/charities 93% 68%
Participating in community/charity activities 93% 65%
Improving energy efficiency/
waste management 90% 65%
The future of responsible
business is here
Recruitment/
retention of staff
Public attitude/
building brand
Client/customer
demand
Cost management Tax relief Government
pressure
63% 63% 62%
57% 56% 52%
Top drivers in China: People first, cost management second
CSR ACTIVITIES: CHARITIES TOP THE LIST
No matter the geographical location, businesses
share the same top 3 CSR priorities:
U.S.
16%
Due diligence on
impact of business
on human rights
NGO partnership
to address
Compared to 2011, U.S. companies have had a business issues
change of heart about these activities:
Calculating the carbon footprint +26 percentage points
Sourcing from local, ethical trade
or organic suppliers -17
Changing offering to reduce social
impact -13
Global
20%
CSR REPORTING: LITTLE CONSENSUS FEEDS INTO LACK OF A GLOBAL FRAMEWORK
1 in 4 U.S. companies report on
sustainability and/or CSR activities,
compared to 1 in 3 globally.
Merging nonfinancial (i.e., sustainability, CSR)
and financial reporting appeals more to
international companies than U.S. businesses.
There is little hope for more
external reporting in the U.S.
plan to disclose their CSR
programs in the next 5 years.
89%
of companies in India approve of merging the two
reports, compared to 51% in the U.S.
Case in point:
Top 5 reasons why U.S. companies implement
corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices:
59%
63%
Public attitude
It’s the right thing to do
77+23+D
77%
Cost management
47%
Talent/recruiting retention
46%
Customer demand
“I’ve partnered with
charities to address
a business issue.”
Eastern Europe
and Baltic
countries
Africa and
North America
21%
Foreign businesses are more
likely than U.S. firms to cite
customer demand +18 percentage points
saving the planet +15
public pressure +13
tax relief +12
talent recruiting +11
when considering sustainable initiatives.
France, Sweden and Thailand
Japan, Poland and Mexico
“I’ll implement more sustainable
programs because it’s the right
thing to do.”