w +
Finding 5
on relevant sustainability issues . The focus on material issues also benefits society : it secures the long-term financing of the activities because it strengthens the case for the internal allocation of resources . It also allows the company ’ s core competencies to be applied – thereby making its contribution more effective . Our analysis shows that three quarters of companies focus part of their Corporate Citizenship efforts on issues that they themselves define as material . However , it also shows that an exclusive focus on materiality remains rare .
Organisational structure
“ Where is our commitment authentic because we have capacities in that area ?”
A closer link to corporate sustainability can also be seen in the organisational structure of Corporate Citizenship . 38 percent of DAX companies have a close functional link between Corporate Citizenship and sustainability at the global level . At the time of our previous study , most Corporate Citizenship teams were still part of the human resources or communications department . Only one in four companies still have their global organisation divided across multiple functions or not recognisable as such at all . There are different models for the organisation of Corporate Citizenship : at Bayer , the majority of strategic activities in the areas of health and agriculture are handled by the Bayer Foundations , which are closely tied in with corporate sustainability , while at Deutsche Post , Corporate Citizenship is the responsibility of the Communication , Sustainability and Brand department , in which a dedicated Social Impact team manages the group ’ s four central programmes ( GoHelp , GoTeach , GoGreen and GoTrade ) as well as employee involvement .
Division of responsibility for Corporate Citizenship
38 + 20 + 3 + 5 + 13 + 21
13 %
5 %
21 %
3 %
20 %
38 %
Sustainability , incl . where sustainability is part of a different corporate function
Communications
HR
Board level
Various
Not known
31