Stakeholder Engagement on the Global Stage/Special Focus: China

For a multinational company, anything said by anyone anywhere — true or not — can affect its brands everywhere. If allegations, such as child labor, global warming, chemical spills, sweatshops, or human rights abuses, emerge for an organization or its supply chain, the company may be held responsible in the court of public opinion. If that happens, the company's reputation and credibility will be largely in the hands of third parties. These external stakeholders — experts, citizen leaders, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups, and socially responsible investors — often set the tone for media coverage and shape consumer and investor perceptions. With external stakeholder support, a company can often avoid undue controversy and be legitimately recognized as a responsible global citizen that aligns itself with the interests of its shareholders and stakeholders; without their support, a company and its brands can be vulnerable. Unfortunately, many companies meet their key stakeholders only after a conflict or crisis erupts. Yet, proactive steps can be taken.

The Conference Board® Research Working Group on Stakeholder Engagement on the Global Stage will provide companies with the opportunity to meet with corporate peers and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and stakeholder leaders to build relationships and learn from one another in a collaborative setting. Working group members will gain the tools, skills, contacts, and information they need to protect their companies' brands, while also developing methodologies for building and maintaining trust and mutual support between companies and stakeholders.

Special Focus: Stakeholder Engagement in China

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing offers an unprecedented stage upon which international NGOs and activists will call attention to important social issues, such as labor, law, the environment, and human rights, and to the companies they associate with them. Every company whose brand or supply chain has links with China is potentially at risk. China is a valuable backdrop to examining international NGO dynamics within a developing country environment. In addition to executive sessions, our China Stakeholder Roundtable will help companies reduce risk, prevent conflict, and begin to foster collaborative solutions to these issues in China between now and the 2008 Olympics — and beyond.

Issues on the Table:

What are the dynamics at play with international NGOs and stakeholders bringing developing-world issues to media savvy and saturated networks to drive worldwide attention?
What are the warning signs when local country issues are about to permeate onto the global stage?
How can you earn the trust of these stakeholders so, when they look at your company, they see a responsible global citizen?
What supply chain initiatives can help minimize risk?
When controversy strikes, can you ensure having credible stakeholders who will step forward in support?

Note: This Working Group is closed - Report Pending

Working Group Leader

Bill Shireman
President & CEO, Future 500

Aileen Ichikawa
V.P. of Corporate Citizenship Services, Future 500
Tel: 415-706-4482

Download Full Description (pdf)

For more information please contact:

Research Working Group Assistant
Amanda.Humes@conference-board.org
1 212 339 0307