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Supply Chain Responsibility – A Signal of Excellence in Corporate Accountability? Stakeholders Are Increasingly Thinking That Way…in the “New World Order” Back in 1991, the tense “Cold War” environment of the post-WWII era was coming to an end. President George H.W. Bush, a veteran fighter pilot in WWII and “Cold War Warrior,” addressed the U.S. Congress (January 19th) to deliver his State of the Union address. “We stand at a defining hour,” he declared. “What is at stake is more than one small country (referring to Iraq at that moment); it is a big idea – a New World Order, where diverse nations are drawn together in common cause to achieve the universal aspirations of mankind…peace, security, freedom, and the rule of law. Such is a world worthy of our struggle and worthy of our children’s future.” While the comments included references to the winding down of the Cold War and the enduring division of nations into two competing blocs (the USA and USSR) and standing-by status of “the Third World” of developing nations, the term “New World Order” captured the imagination and has endured. But what does it mean? Among other things, it means a freer flow of goods, capital and people among the nations of the world, relatively more peaceful conditions and more freedom to create more opportunity in every corner of the globe. And that meant the s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g of the corporate procurement and sourcing efforts and the building of a much-more complex and far-flung supply chain for many developed society companies. And as that supply chain became a more universal practice and more deeply embedded into the vital operations of the corporate sector, indeed many aspects of the “New World Order” became apparent. And questions began to arise: What are the conditions of the workers within your global supply chain? What are the environmental protections being put in place as the local suppliers in less-developed nations strive to produce more for the major customers in developed societies? What is your firm’s contributions to the well-being of the local community at which you source your goods? Many company managements do struggle with the answers to these questions – and investors and stakeholders continue to raise questions about the nature of, the operation of, conditions within, the supply chain of many companies in their portfolios. We have brought you numerous reports from around the world on the subject of global supply chains in these weekly newsletters. This week’s Top Story is about survey results from DNV GL; the company conducted a survey of professionals at global companies across Europe, the Americas and Asia – out of 1400 responses, 60 companies emerged as supply chain “sustainability leaders” based on attributes defined by DNV GL. You’ll want to read this. The New World Order has come to define many business and investing activities over the 25-plus years since President Bush delivered his remarks. The USA has signed on to the WTO treaty, which was a departure from the traditional GATT talks encouraged by the U.S. after WW II. The fundamentals of manufacturing have significantly been re-ordered over these years – with apparel and footwear and accessories as examples virtually disappearing from assembly lines in North America. Yes, we are living in the New World Order – ask a veteran purchasing manager or sourcing manager about that if you can – we are miles beyond the operating conditions of 1991. With rising purchaser expectations of greater accountability on the part of companies they do business with, supply chain responsibilities inch closer and closer to the top of priorities. Tell us, show us, the mantra of the stakeholders seems to be! This Week's Top Story Supply chain management survey indicates greater pressure on companies to demonstrate sustainability And… There's room for progress on tackling sustainability through the supply chain The Missing Link: Connecting Procurement and Sustainability Sustainability: Progress Is Being Made Here are the 3 hottest debates in sustainability reporting 'True revenue drivers': Sustainability strategies boost business, research shows New Saudi Legislations Aimed at Protecting Water Resources, Ensuring Sustainability Leaving a Sustainable Legacy (Wednesday - February 21, 2018) Source: GreenBiz - With an average of one in 10 S&P 500 companies experiencing a CEO transition each year, sustainability departments must be prepared to effectively manage a change in company leadership. From Sustainability to Circularity, Fashion Has New Weapons in its Going-Green Arsenal Sustainability index reveals North-South divide among local authorities (UK) Sustainability Accounting on the Rise: Q&A with SASB’s David Parham Our Focus This Week on A Range of ESG Topics & Issues – More Things to Think About… G&A Institute Guest Commentary: Enjoy Your Bonus—I Guess 3 US Business Schools Leading The Way In Ethics Training ‘Corporate governance is all about transparency, accountability’ Report finds racial wealth gap hasn't recovered to pre-Great Recession levels Humans Are Responsible for Nearly All Modern Global Warming
News for You From the Corporate Sector -Both Positive & Negative - Headlines Mercedes-Benz Owner Daimler AG May Have Rigged Emissions Tests Ford executive leaves over inappropriate behaviour Companies Are Starting to Back Away From the Gun Industry and NRA News & Opinion: Asset Managers, Sovereign Wealth Funds, Pension Funds State pensions and fund companies feel heat over their gun stock investments Kazakhstan's frozen billions sound alarm for sovereign funds For You From G&A Institute, The Swain Center For Executive Education At The University Of North Carolina-Wilmington – Dual CSR Certification UNCW and G&A Institute Announce The Certificate & Certification in "Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Strategies" E-Learning Course Offering Dual Credentials
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G&A's To The Point! is a businesss intelligence web-platform resource. This management briefing service offers timely insights and perspectives on Corporate Sustainability, Responsibility & Citizenship.Click here to request a trial subscription. Below are links to a sampling of three recent briefs: ABOUT THOSE CORPORATE EMPLOYEE PENSION PLANS –The Focus is Increasing on the Shortfalls…and Remedies McDonald’s, Dunkin’ Donuts: Poly Coffee & Beverage Cups In Investor Focus ISS Unveils New Corporate “E” and “S” QualityScores For 1,500 Companies
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G&A Institute Sustainability Update™ How Tariffs Will Affect the State of Solar in the U.S.A. in 2018 _________________________________________
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FLASH REPORT: 82% of the S&P 500 Companies Published Corporate Sustainability Reports in 2016 _________________________________________ GRI'S USA, UK & IRELAND
G&A Institute is the Data Partner for the Global Reporting Initiative's (GRI) in the USA, UK and Republic of Ireland. We identify, receive, collect, analyze, database, and communicate about every report issued in any of the 3 countries. Over the past 6+ years, G&A analyzed 6,000-plus sustainability reports in this pro bono role and databased 100+ important data points for each report. Find out more @ G&A's What's A Data Partner _________________________________________
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The Sustainability Highlights eNewsletter is prepared by Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. based on continuous monitoring of trends and developments in Sustainability and ESG. Governance & Accountability Instiute is the “Sustainability Headquarters™” for clients in the corporate, investment, public and social sectors. Based in New York, G&A is a for-profit consulting organization providing a range of value-added strategies, services and resources related to ESG & sustainability to clients in the corporate and capital markets communities.For G&A's full range of services, click on each of the links below: For more information, contact Governance & Accountability Institute, Inc. | ||||||||||||||||
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