Corporate Accountability: Researching the Corporation Hotel Viengtai, Bangkok 4-6 November 2009

Overview Basic Research planning Research Quality Types of Research Supply chain advocacy / research Sources of Information Link to SOMO research manual

Basic Research Planning Identify the problem What is the desired outcome? Risk assessment Identify stakeholders Advisory committee Develop the methodology Develop research questions Time frame & resources Evaluate and report

Research Quality Credibility is key Quality Consistency Accuracy Verifiability Record all references & information. Names Ph.numbers Source of information Interviews Secondary data

Research Quality Ctd. Log book of activities Dates Names Location Interviews Communication Evidence Wage slips / time sheets Scientific tests Medical data Confirmation / verification 2 nd or 3 rd unrelated source Confidentiality

Types of Research Two key approaches: 1.desk research & 2.field research Combination of both is important Understand company ownership, management structure & corporate / CSR culture Understand impact on workers, communities, the environment

Desk Research Don’t reinvent the wheel Use secondary data Reports, statistics, media etc Go to a variety of sources Internet /online databases Library & Media Industry associations & Business directories Market research Multilateral organisations

Field Research Corporate policy & day-to-day practice Understand who else has an interest Interviews – understand the environment in which company operates Obtain data – e.g size of operation, investment & trade Interview workers Collect & test samples

Field Research Ctd. Link questions to research objectives & methodology Link questions to the norms of international standards e.g ILO Rights at Work No forced labour No child labour No discrimination Freedom of Assoc. & right to collective bargaining Maximum hrs of work Living wages Health & safety Security of employment

Company profiles What does it include? General Characteristsics Name of the holding company Name of CEO / CSR / Public Affairs Contact details (e.g.address, , website) Ownership structure - SX listing / private / shareholders /JV Financial – profit / turnover Products, services, trademarks Management structure (divisions / units) Position in the sector International position

Company profiles Ctd. Production details Locations Number of units / size of service Number & type of employees (per division) The production network (main brands / labels, main suppliers, main customers, use of third parties – trading houses, licencing agents etc Strategy and CSR commitments History of company Short-term / long-term objectives Strategy & policy with regard to CSR / investment / outsourcing

CSR Analysis Big on promises weak on actions Critical issues – social, environmental, labour, HR, consumer Scan negative publicity Analysis of company CSR policy Assess implementation Risk analysis – where are the weak points? Policy analysis – link to international standards, national law & voluntary tools

Supply Chain Research Increase in outsourcing of goods / services Supply chains are complex – e.g garments Licensing agents, suppliers, sub-contractors (2 nd, 3 rd tier +), trading-houses, wholesalers, homeworkers Buyer & Producer driven MNE’s must take responsibility for the entire subcontracting chain Value chain management – more than quality, design, price, delivery, IP, & after sales service / marketing Research challenges: supply chain mng. & location Research options: research selected factory conditions map entire supply chain elements of both

More Information: SOMO research Manual – Part 4 Multilateral Organisations- P.8 Corporate & supply chain - P.13 Internet – P.16 Media – P Company websites – P Market Research – P.20 Business websites – P.21 Activists / sector websites – P Remember to reference often & consistently - Annex P