Global Consumers Voice Demand for Greater Corporate Responsibility
A New World of Activist Consumers Promises to Reward or Punish Companies Based on How They Do Business
(3BL Media / theCSRfeed) Boston, MA - October 4, 2011 - Ten thousand consumers in major countries around the globe are demanding a higher level of responsibility by companies in dealing with societal issues, and consumers report they are already using their own spending and loyalty to press these demands.
This global consumer movement surfaces in the 2011 Cone/Echo Global CR Opportunity Study, a 10-country survey released today by Cone Communications and Echo Research. The survey was fielded in countries comprising approximately half the world’s population, including the United States, Canada, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Russia, China, India and Japan. The research is supplemented with insights from some of the world’s foremost thought leaders on corporate responsibility. Key global findings indicate:-
81% of consumers say companies have a responsibility to address key social and environmental issues beyond their local communities;
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93% of consumers say companies must go beyond legal compliance to operate responsibly; and,
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94% of consumers say companies must analyze and evolve their business practices to make their impact as positive as possible.
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94% would buy a product that has an environmental benefit; 76% have already purchased an environmental product in the past 12 months.
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93% would buy a product associated with a cause; 65% have already purchased a cause-related product in the past 12 months.
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Economic development – 96%
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Environment – 96%
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Water – 95%
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Human rights – 94%
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Education – 90%
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Health and disease – 90%
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Poverty and hunger – 87%
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Change the way they operate – 96%
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Develop a new product or service – 95%
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Apply unique business assets (such as technology or research) – 94%
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Raise awareness for an issue and educate consumers and employees – 93%
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Develop partnerships with or seek feedback from key stakeholders – 91%
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Donate employee time and expertise – 86%
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Make donations – 84%