This checklist by David Grayson sets out a number of questions that a board could ask itself in order to assess how socially and environmentally responsible its company is. By responding to the checklist a business could move towards becoming a force for good in society.

Board – Members’ Checklist for Integrating Corporate Responsibility

1. Have we made a public commitment to CR and if so, what?
    
2. Is this linked to business purpose and strategy?
    
3. Is CR embedded within corporate values?
    
4. Are senior executives committed to CR, and comfortable & credible in leading on that commitment?
    
5. Do we have effective board oversight of CR?
    
6. Does the company recruit, induct, train, appraise, reward, promote and take difficult decisions using the corporate values?
    
7. Does the Risk Register incorporate risks and opportunities associated with social and environmental impacts?
    
8. Does the board regularly assess environmental and social impacts?
    
9. Does the company have a process regularly to review emerging social and environmental and surface them at board level?
    
10. Does the company have clear targets on CR and is it clear who has direct accountability for each target?
     
11. Is board discussion of CR already aligned with board discussion of our annual Business Performance Review?
     
12. When did the board last discuss our Talent Development Strategy and is capacity to understand and deliver on Responsible Business and Sustainability an integral part of that strategy?
     
13. When did the board last have an open forward discussion about Responsible Business and Sustainability issues and the implications for our business?
     
14. Do we publish a Responsible Business and Sustainability Report - if so, did a board member as well as the CEO or Chairman sign it off?
     
15. Does understanding of Responsible Business and Sustainability figure on the list of desired skills / areas of expertise for one or more of the NED?

© David Grayson, Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility,

Cranfield of Management - February 2008 School

For more information you can visit the Doughty Centre for Corporate Responsibility website: www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/research/centres/ccr

You can also find out more at David Grayson's own site: www.davidgrayson.net