1 The Triple Bottom Line: CSR reporting among Norway’s 100 largest companies Audun Ruud Senior research fellow ProSus – University of Oslo

2 CSR in Norway: Public policy efforts mainly taken up by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs rather than the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Corporate focus primarely on: -Poverty reduction -Human rights -Norwegian practices in thirld world countries/TNCs Less focus on: -Environment/Labour standards -Small and Medium size Enterprises (SMEs) -Business practice within the OECD region Reporting plays a central role in CSR because it enables:  General communication with external stakeholders  Communication of values and priorities to employees as well as  Strengthening of internal processes within the company But what is the status among the largest Norwegian companies: Do they ”walk the talk”?

3 The Survey: CSR-reporting in Norway’s 100 largest companies (in terms of annual net sales) Corporate Responsibility = Social + Environmental impact Objects of study: Board of directors’ report (96) Other information (chapter in annual report or separat report) (49) Variables:  General description of corporate responsibility (social + environmental)  Code of conducts (social + environmental)  Supply chain management (social + environmental)  Stakeholder dialogue  Corporate governance/CSR management systems

4 General description of corporate responsibility:

5 General description of corporate responsibility:

6 Main findings: Environmental reporting widespread and well established Social reporting lags behind What about the other variables:  Code of conducts (social/environmental)  Supply chain management (social/environmental)  Stakeholder dialogue  Corporate governance/CSR management systems

7 CSR governance/management Governance/management systems for implementing and monitoring CSR performance: - ISO/EMAS, division of responsibility, control mechanisms, third party verification etc. An indicator of how systematic and integrated CSR is in the company

8 Conclusion: Mixed picture: Average score is low – a few front runners ”Specialisation” Carpet bombing syndrome – quantity more than quality But a reporting fatigue is growing among firms and stakeholders Driving forces? Size? - not within a sample of only 100, but possibly with the largest Sector? – those subject to mandatory reporting schemes are better.. Media exposure? – probably yes, but no scientific evidence! However: Good CSR reporting does not always guarantee good CSR practice: Case in point: Statoil – corruption scandal in Iran