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An Assessment of Wal-Mart de Mexico (Walmex) Social Responsibility Reporting
(Updated On: 03/31/2013 02:24 PM)
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MSNs analysis is based primarily on Walmexs 2009 SRSD Report. It also relies on other, publicly available information about company policy and practice in order to supplement and compare with the companys own reporting. That information is also used to identify additional concerns expressed by outside stakeholders including workers, labour rights NGOs, environmental groups, consumers, and suppliers. This report also compares Walmexs CSR reporting in 2009 with its reporting in the previous year in order to chart progress between the two years. This report identifies strengths, gaps and weaknesses in Walmexs 2009 SRSD Report, points to social and environmental performance issues that arise from consideration of the companys CSR reporting, and puts forward a number of recommendations for improvements in policy, practice and reporting. It also discusses some of the companys underlying policies and practices that are of concern to outside stakeholders. The report begins with a brief company profile and historical review of Walmex and Wal-Mart CSR reporting, followed by a summary of the overall results of this evaluation of the 2009 SRSD Report. Results in each of seven distinct subject areas are then reviewed individually, and a summary is provided of the companys score for each indicator evaluated. The report ends with general conclusions and a set of recommendations to Walmex to improve its CSR reporting and, where applicable, its policies and practices.
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An Assessment of Wal-Mart de Mexico (Walmex) Social Responsibility Reporting: Summary
(Updated On: 03/31/2013 02:34 PM)
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The Maquila Solidarity Network (MSN) recently conducted a detailed analysis of Wal-Mart de Mexicos (Walmex) 2009 Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development Report (SRSD Report). MSNs work was conducted as part of a review of five Mexico corporations (Walmex, Petrleos Mexicanos, Telefnica, S.A., CEMEX, and Industrias Peoles) coordinated by Red Puentes Mexico. Each companys report was assessed by a different team of researchers, using a common methodology. The following is a summary of MSNs report, which identifies strengths, gaps and weaknesses in Walmexs 2009 SRSD Report, points to social and environmental performance issues that arise from consideration of the companys CSR reporting, and puts forward a number of recommendations for improvements in policy, practice and reporting. The report also discusses some of the companys underlying policies and practices that are of concern to outside stakeholders.
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Brave New World: Investors and Nanotechnology
(Updated On: 03/23/2012 06:32 PM)
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Nanotechnology has silently transformed product design and innovation in a number of sectors. Today it can be found in a wide range of everyday products and packaging, from automobile tires to skin lotion. However, as with many emerging technologies, the potential benefits from nanotechnology are accompanied by emerging risks. Current understanding of the potential risks of nanotechnology is limited and regulations lag behind technological development. Given this uncertainty, how can investors address this new area? This brief offers investors a roadmap to navigate the potential risks and opportunities of this emerging industry.
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Canadian Business Sustainability Priorities 2011
(Updated On: 06/07/2012 05:25 PM)
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This report describes the key areas where businesses have requested better knowledge. The top ten issues have been identified by our Leadership Council: a council of managers from leading organizations across major sectors of the economy. The purpose of this report is to inspire new research in these issues. Armed with this knowledge, researchers, managers and others can collaborate to innovate new solutions.
Every year, the Network for Business Sustainability funds systematic reviews on two of the priorities identified by the Leadership Council. Each project systematically reviews and synthesizes the rigorous information from academic and practitioner sources on a given topic, with an emphasis on completeness, replicability and transparency. It provides a solid foundation of knowledge upon which managers and researchers can build. The priorities studied annually via systematic reviews form the foundation of our other NBS activity. The top issues identified for 2011 were:
Which outcome-based government policies are most effective for addressing sustainability issues? Read the Systematic Review on Effective Environmental Policy
How do individuals make decisions regarding social and environmental issues? To be released in Winter 2012
We hope this report galvanizes researchers to study the questions posed and inspires industry and funding agencies to support these efforts. By collaborating to address these important issues, we can improve business in Canada and around the world.
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Embedding Gender in Sustainability Reporting? A Practitioner's Guide
(Updated On: 11/04/2011 02:39 PM)
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Preparers of sustainability reports who want ideas on how to improve their gender reporting practices are the main intended audience of this publication. Moreover, it is hoped that this in turn will help organizations identify new opportunities to improve their gender management practices. For downloading the most recent version of this publication: http://www.globalreporting.org/LearningAndSupport/GRIPublications/ResearchPublications/ResearchAndDevelopment.htm "The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) drives sustainability reporting by all organizations. GRI produces the world's most comprehensive Sustainability Reporting Framework to enable greater organizational transparency. The Framework, including the Reporting Guidelines, sets out the Principles and Indicators organizations can use to measure and report their economic, environmental, and social performance. GRI is committed to continuously improving and increasing the use of the Guidelines, which are freely available to the public."
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Management Ethics [Fall / Winter, 2010]
(Updated On: 02/15/2012 11:05 PM)
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In this issue: - Editorial. Ethics and Privacy in Information Systems. Personal information is highly accessible online and through information systems in organizations. Some businesses take advantage of that accessibility by using such information to data-mine, recruit and select employees, inform product development choices, and determine marketing strategies, among other things. Anyone whose personal information is viewed, stored, used or disclosed would likely be concerned about the implications of that accessibility and unfettered use. - Why Privacy Matters. There's a lot to know about privacy -- how to protect it, when to give it up, what its ethical limits are. But perhaps the greatest challenge facing businesses with regard to privacy is to understand what privacy really is, and why it matters. That may sound obvious, but it's not. Some of the biggest companies on the planet have stumbled over a fundamental inability to understand those two key issues. - Privacy by Design: Achieving Consumer Trust and Freedom in the Information Age. "Privacy is good for business" is a mantra of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario that has, within 15 years, become a legal, market and functional requirement, not only for businesses but for ALL organizations -- public, private and non-profit -- that handle personal information. The proposition is straightforward: build privacy into your data management systems from the outset and reap the many rewards of enhanced trust and consumer confidence. The new realities and challenges of the Information Age require more robust fair information practices to be applied to a wide range of application scenarios, in multiple jurisdictions around the world. Privacy by Design, as reflected in the seven Foundational Principles, responds directly to this need. - Hiring in a Social Media Age. The number of organizations that rely on the information they collect through Google, Facebook and Spokeo is continuously on the rise. Are current practices, of using online information for hiring decisions, ethical? May they be conducted ethically under certain conditions? This article will look at some common practices in order to address these questions. - Privacy Law: Questions and Answers. Perceived inattention to privacy issues in today's information economy presents regulatory risk, litigation risk and reputational risk. - Business Ethics Scholarship
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Management Ethics [Fall 2006]
(Updated On: 02/15/2012 04:47 PM)
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In this issue: - Cover: Ethical Considerations... Illegal file sharing demonstrates the common reality of technological change. New rights and obligations arise from technological change for those who use the new technologies and those who are directly affected by it. Technologies that enable unauthorized sharing of files places an ethical obligation on users to recognize the implications on the livelihood of those whose intellectual property is being used without payment. - Editorial: If the Shoe Fits - Legislative Watch: An End to Mandatory Retirement. Adverse effects of mandatory retirement are particularly severe for women and recent immigrants, often as a result of limited employment history and associated affects on retirement income. These employees may face poverty as a result of mandatory retirement. Another key ethical consideration is that mandatory retirement also imposed an end to employment based solely on age and reinforces negative assumptions about older workers. Ability to do the job, or individual interest in continuing with employment, did not enter into the equation. - Pandemic Preparedness. Ethics still un-addressed in pandemic preparedness: Possible planning guideline. Part two of this series, discussing the complex ethical dilemmas that a possible flu pandemic may create for the business community as well as government, media and the healthcare profession. - News at EthicsCentre CA
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Management Ethics [Spring 2007]
(Updated On: 02/15/2012 04:51 PM)
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In this issue: - Cover: Sarbanes-Oxley and the Empirical Evidence Regarding Securities Regulation In summary, empirical academic evidence strongly supports the conclusion that sturdy securities regulation is a primary source of competitive advantage for the capital markets of developed nations. Although the costs of SOX have greatly exceeded projections, its benefits have been substantial and undeniable. - The Big Squeeze. In a tough compliance environment the likelihood of a clash between general counsel and other members of senior management has increased significantly. The CEO himself or herself may be the problem and a weak board may not offer any relief. In these circumstances, resignation is the only option. The risks are too high. - Editorial: Time for a New Best Friend? Without the consumer, the counterfeit trade would not prosper. If we as individuals support the counterfeit trade, we are throwing stones while living within the proverbial glass houses. - Join EthicsCentre CA - A Message from the Executive Director - News at EthicsCentre CA
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Management Ethics [Summer, 2011]
(Updated On: 02/17/2012 11:32 AM)
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In this issue: - Editorial: Responsible Environmental Stewardship in the Service Sector. Out of necessity, every business consumes valuable materials that are extracted, processed, used and then disposed of as waste. The result is both pollution and natural resource consumption. Many businesses actively attempt to realign their business models to reduce consumption and therefore pollution. Some attempt to replace what they have consumed. - Environmental Issues in the Service Sector. Why are so many service sector companies prioritizing corporate sustainability and environmental performance? - Environmental Leadership in the Financial Services Sector. We are living in the time of 'green'. We can buy 'green energy', get a 'green job', be part of the green economy, and 'green' our weekly grocery shopping. The green consumer movement challenges the conventional notion of corporate environmental leadership. Consumers want companies to be both strong environmental stewards while providing price competitive green product options. It may be easy to define what environmental leadership means in the context of an energy company or a consumer retailer, but what might this mean to a financial institution? - Canada's Environmental Law Framework: Whether one is operating or investing in a business, it is important to know how the business is affected by environmental regulations and to ensure that operating and capital budgets account for current and anticipated compliance costs. This includes keeping track of emerging issues, some of which are mentioned at the end of this article. - Environmental Stewardship Within a Population Health Context: The health sector is a significant part of Canada's economy, contributing approximately 10% of gross domestic product (GDP). The sector uses considerable energy; consumes large quantities of plastics, paper and other resources; and produces significant solid, liquid and gaseous waste. With the improvement of health care technologies and a growing awareness of environmentally responsible practices, there is an increased opportunity to reduce its environmental footprint. - A Message from the Incoming Chair
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