Page 20 - Geelong business trends 2017_digital_Neat

ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILTY

There has been no change in the The ethics and social responsibility of a firm is essential
perception of Geelong businesses to its long-term profitability
that social responsibility All 2016 2017
is essential for long-term
profitability, with most businesses All 100 100 100
(about 90%) agreeing in the two Agree 90.2 90.8 89.6
years this question has been Neither disagree or agree 4.2 3.1 5.7
asked.
Disagree 5.5 6.2 4.7

Similarly, most businesses (87%) Business ethics and social responsibility are critical to
indicate social responsibility is the survival of a business enterprise
critical to their long term survival, All 2016 2017
with only a minor decrease
in 2017 (86%) compared to All 100 100 100
responses in 2016 (88%). Agree 86.9 87.7 85.9
Neither disagree or agree 6.8 6.2 7.5
Disagree 6.4 6.2 6.6

Most businesses (83%) agreed The overall effectiveness of a business can be
that their effectiveness can determined to a great extent by the degree to which it
be impacted to a great extent is ethical and socially responsible
by their ethical and social
responsibility. This has increased All 2016 2017
in 2017 (87%) compared to 2016 All 100 100 100
(81%), which may indicate a Agree 83.4 80.8 86.7
slightly improved recognition
of the link between business Neither disagree or agree 8.1 10 5.7
effectiveness and ethical/ social Disagree 8.5 9.2 7.6
responsibility.

Similarly, most businesses (81%) Social responsibility and profitability can be
agree that social responsibility compatible.
and profitability can be All 2016 2017
compatible. This view increased
significantly in 2017 (86%) All 100 100 100
compared to 2016 (78%), which Agree 81.3 77.7 85.7
further supports the conclusion Neither disagree or agree 11.9 16.2 6.7
that businesses are increasingly
seeing a link between good Disagree 6.8 6.1 7.6
business and ethics/social
responsibility.

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