Dubai Chamber's Centre for Responsible Business launches the results of its annual CSR survey in the study, "Winds of Change"
Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry's Centre for Responsible Business launched their annual Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Report, "Winds of Change: The State of Corporate Social Responsibility in Dubai, 2008".
The study revealed that CSR continues to gain momentum amongst companies, government and civil society in terms of increased media coverage, government support, launch of CSR awards and increased research and publication on the subject. The report showed that most companies in Dubai are just beginning to learn about CSR concept as they implement CSR practices only when it helps immediate or short-term commercial, productivity or efficiency goals. The study highlights the government's role in the promotion of CSR activities in the country.
The authors of the study, Dr Belaid Rettab, Executive Director, Economic Research and Sustainable Business Development and Dr Anis Ben Brik, Senior CSR Researcher, Dubai Chamber, revealed that 59% of the operating companies in Dubai have heard of the concept of CSR, but 25% of them do not have a specific program for the application of the concept.
Additionally, most companies expressed their commitment to behave ethically in business operation (72%), to reduce their negative impact (67%), to improve staff's well-being (59%) and to contribute to society (53%). Companies were generally motivated to implement CSR; 67% believed that they could benefit from CSR in the long run. For example, they held that increased staff benefits could be offset by improved efficiency (68%), higher staff benefits reduced staff mobility (56%) could improve the team spirit through participation in community activities (61%), reputation could be enhanced by implementation of environmental protection measures (69%) or contributing to community (68%).
However, and despite the enthusiasm expressed by companies, the study showed that CSR in Dubai was less integrated into business strategy and less formally managed; only a small minority of the companies had CSR officer (3%) and CSR policy and strategy (10%). No communication strategy exists for CSR; 3% reported to the public CSR activities. Top management was less involved in CSR; 5% had a committee to oversee CSR, 10% of companies' board of directors was involved in CSR and 4% of owners were involved in CSR. Stakeholder dialogue was limited; only 4% of companies came forward.
The study indicated that social contribution, either donations or volunteering, was regarded as the least important of all CSR aspects; 37% of the companies made donations to charitable organisations in 2008 averaging AED 67,519 while only 16% preferred organizing corporate volunteering activities. In regards to giving incentives such as awards or recognition for volunteer work, 14% of the companies came forward.
The authors noted that "As far as conservation of the ecological environment is concerned, 74% of the companies had the actual policies for measures in place for water consumption, 60% worked towards reducing water pollution in addition to 54% of the companies taking steps to reduce emissions of harmful gases and chemicals."
Regarding the Government's role, most of the companies surveyed (79%) were of the view that the Government should be leading the way in the adoption of CSR activities, while 74% of the companies agreed that the authorities should recognize and reward companies that practice CSR and 71% said the Government should provide incentives to CSR champions.
As part of Dubai Chamber, the Centre for Responsible Business (formerly known as the Dubai Ethics Resource Centre) is a hub of expertise in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and the longest standing Centre for Business Responsibility in the UAE. Its team of experts assists Dubai businesses in applying responsible practices that enhance performance and competitive advantage. The Centre for Responsible Business provides research, training, assessments, programmes and events and advisory services that cover all aspects of CSR.
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About Dubai Chamber
Established in 1965, the Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry is a non-profit public entity, whose mission is to represent, support and protect the interests of the business community in Dubai by creating a favorable business environment, supporting the development of business, and by promoting Dubai as an international business hub.
© Press Release 2009
