Australians Express Strong Support for CSR

Almost nine in 10 Australians believe businesses have a responsibility to do social good, according to new research.

Findings from a recent YouGov Omnibus study revealed that 87 per cent of Australians strongly supported corporate social responsibility (CSR), while two-thirds said they had a more positive view of businesses that donated to charity.

The environment was also noted as a significant concern for consumers, with 58 per cent of Australians believing businesses had a responsibility to prevent environmental damage in their supply chain.

Jake Gammon, the head of Omnibus, said that these findings highlighted a desire from Australians to only engage with businesses that operated ethically.

“The latest YouGov Omnibus research shows a considerable proportion of consumers give weight to a brand’s ethics when making purchasing decisions and would be more likely to both consider and recommend a brand that gives even a small amount to charity,” Gammon said.

“Furthermore, that a majority of consumers believe that businesses have a responsibility to ensure that they have ethical supply chains suggests consumers expect ever more from brands.”

But despite this push from consumers, only 41 per cent of business owners and those in senior management believed it was businesses’ responsibility to prevent environmental damage.

Gammon said businesses needed to step up and recognise the needs of consumers, by addressing social issues and striving to make a positive impact on the community.

“In order to get ahead, brands now have to go beyond simply proving that their given product is a cut above the rest; smart business looking to distinguish themselves need to work hard to showcase their values as well,” he said.

YouGov Omnibus collected data from 9,000 people across nine countries in the Asia-Pacific (including 1,000 from Australia) and found Australians were one of the strongest supporters of CSR in the region.

Only the Philippines (63 per cent) expressed a stronger desire for businesses to prevent environmental damage in their supply chain.

Other key findings from Australian participants included that almost half felt businesses had a responsibility to help upskill members of the community (48 per cent) and give to charity (45 per cent).

Almost 30 per cent also said businesses had a responsibility to undertake volunteering or charity work during office hours, with 55 per cent stating they would be more likely to recommend a brand that gives to charity.

Overall, the study found nearly six in 10 (56 per cent) Australians believed businesses should be doing more to support charities.