following up on your post, I wanted to let you knw about a study that GE just released on Crossroads. It is an evaluation of 850 of their 7000+ employees on the impact of their volunteer program.

It is just one piece of their overall program, but the results are phenomenal.

http://china-crossroads.com/2008/12/04/ge-study-of-volunteer-programs-in-china/

R

As someone who has been involved in CSR for a while now, I have a few observations

1) CSR in China is in an infancy stage - more abut signing checks and a picture than about programming. things are changing… slowly

2) there are firms who can quantify their CSR program - I currently have an internal document from a large firm who just polled 850 of their employees an results are amazing…

3) for things to really progress, it takes C level support, coordination, and commitment. the firm I mentioned above required 18 months to deconstruct, measure, and reframe their programs - and this was global 20 firm from US.

4) None of the agencies will be able to have much of an impact other than to drive firms to enlist the aid of PR firms to create a report

5) The role of buyers (industrial and consumer), as you point out, is huge. See Starbucks recent water issue, Dell’s dual processor issue, Yum/ McDonalds laor issue, and of course… milk..

CSR.. is does a firm good.

R
http://www.china-crossroads.com