Incorporating CSR into business strategy and decision-making: a review of current board-level practice in the FTSE100

This latest research, carried out by Article 13, explored whether compliance with the Companies Act, other nationally and internationally recognised standards, as well as growing pressure from shareholders, investors and other stakeholders, is contributing to a shift in boardroom practice and culture relating to CSR and if so how it is being implemented practically.  The initial phase of this research verified a trend that Article 13 had noticed that has emerged in the last two years in FTSE100 companies: the formation of board-level CSR committees and other board-level instruments designed to provide governance in CSR. Article 13’s research reviews what is happening in practice and considers the approaches to reporting and frameworks for development of such committees and committee membership.

Price of the full report: £195.00     (Including printing, postage and packaging)

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CSR in India - Perspectives for Business (Executive Summary and Recommendations)

If the purpose of a company is to deliver profit to shareholders, what role does corporate social responsibility (CSR) play?  Why has the topic risen up corporate agendas over the last 15 years?  Why now?  What does the term actually mean?  Collage Article 13 - a new join venture consultancy - considered these issues as part of this launch piece focusing particularly on India.     

Price: FREE

Digital Inclusion - can it address disadvantage and social exclusion?

Recent research by Article 13 for the Digital Inclusion Team shows the contribution and practical progress made by leading companies in the area of digital inclusion. The companies reviewed and identified as engaging in this issue come from a diverse range of sectors across finance, media, publishing, retail, utilities and mobile telephony. Innovative approaches are already being used, often by means of information and communication technology, to engage with disadvantaged groups. This research summary contains case studies of current initiatives.

Price: FREE    

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Climate Change and Poverty: A Business Opportunity?

Article 13's new research report, contributes fresh insights to the debate on how business can contribute – beyond pure philanthropy – to addressing climate change and poverty, two of the most crucial issues facing the world today.

The report contains a wealth of original material: a survey of FTSE-500 chief executives on their current approaches and expectations of future developments; interviews with leading UK-based companies such as Shell, HBOS and British Airways; a unique survey into the views of young managers and future business leaders; and the results of a series of workshops with academics, business experts, government ministers and civil servants.

You can read some of the choice highlights and insights from the report, free, in our CSR expert view archive.

Price: £15.00      (Including printing, postage and packing)

The Vanguard of New Product Development

Article 13's research report highlights that for a vanguard of companies, the introduction of a sustainability perspective to the new product development process can genuinely support a forward-looking and risk-focused approach to business - an approach designed to reflect and respond to changes in the investment and regulatory environment as well as wider society.

Price of the full report: £15.00     (Including printing, postage and packing)

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Approaches to business innovation and transformation - the role of corporate governance

Building on Article 13's Business Unusual research, director, Jane Fiona Cumming, explores in this new report how the innovations showcased in Business Unusual are supported by robust corporate governance procedures.

These procedures are critical to the generation and ongoing viability of the innovation. The report argues that good corporate governance practices will become an essential component in the delivery of sustainable business concept innovation.

Price: FREE

Public Sector Innovation in London

This new report from Article 13 reveals a series of innovative approaches by public sector bodies to deliver social and environmental benefits to London communities. This report arises from a piece of research, conducted as part of a wider European study, seeking to assess how public bodies were demonstrating social responsibility. 

The research has identified a showcase of fresh ideas being used to tackle issues such as crime and safety and environmental problems in London. The common themes running through the findings are innovation, good governance and partnerships with a focus on engagement, involvement and participation as the keys to success. You can download case studies featured in the report by clicking on the links below.

Case studies (free): London Fire Brigade -¦- Thames Gateway Local Partnership -¦- London Remade -¦- City Fringe Partnership

Price of the full report: FREE

Charge of £5.00 (To cover printing, postage and packing)

Business Unusual

This research explores how leading FTSE companies are using social innovation and business transformation to drive business success.

Article 13 with SERM Rating Agency has identified innovative approaches amongst an emerging ‘vanguard’ of FTSE 350 companies. Our research shows how these companies are moving beyond the compliance-based and risk management approaches to social responsibility to new models that deliver business transformation and ultimately bottom line impact.

The report looks at the drivers for transformation and the benefits. You will also find case studies of companies who are demonstrating evidence of this new approach.

Price: £10.00

Corporate social responsibility  - good business practice and a source of competitive edge for SMEs?

Does CSR make good business sense to SMEs? We have reviewed current engagement by SMEs and asked how far SMEs understand and take these issues on board.

The results are insightful, and suggest the key areas of risk and opportunity.Price of the full report: FREE

Charge of £5.00 (To cover printing, postage and packing)

New sources of innovation? The case for regeneration, social inclusion and sustainable communities to deliver competitive advantage

The need to involve business in the regeneration, social inclusion and sustainable communities agendas is apparent to government and society alike. Most initiatives to date have focussed on the "pull" side of the debate. How can we attract business to a deprived area? How can we make it worth their while?

Article 13's research has taken a different approach, showing how engaging with these agendas can deliver to a company's core business by acting as a source or driver of innovation…so it can move further down the road to becoming a truly "winning company" as well as contributing to wider societal issues.

Price: £10.00

Standards, standards, standards…

There is now a plethora of standards in the area of corporate social responsibility and sustainable development.

These can range from indices like the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and FTSE4Good, to detailed guidance on environmental, social, economic and ethical reporting, such as the Global Reporting Initiative's Reporting Guidelines.

This in depth research reviews 25 major CSR and business standards, providing useful summaries and business-relevant analysis. We ask the questions: what is a "standard"? Why is it relevant to companies and organisations operating in today's economy? How can an organisation approach this wide array of standards in a way that delivers to its core objectives? We provide a detailed breakdown of each standard and the areas and indicators it covers.

Price: £30.00

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Law, Technology and the Environment in natural resource management: Forestry and illegal logging

The illegal extraction and trade in timber is widespread and leads to a wide range of social, economic and environmental impacts. This paper, soon to be published in Environmental Justice 2 (J.D. Wulfhurst & A. Haugstad, [eds]) examines the current government actions and private sector initiatives to reduce illegal logging and associated trade. It suggests that the application of law and technology could lead to a reversal of ecological injustice and other benefits for a wide range of stakeholders, both in timber producing and consuming countries. However, the process of engagement is key: only by sharing the agenda can governments and industry truly understand the risks to the forestry sector and to the long-term sustainability of the industry. Article 13 makes a number of recommendations aimed at building an agenda for action to reform the industry.

Price: FREE