Finnish Companies Best in Europe in Communicating CSR

In a new Spotlight Report by Swedish consultancy Hallvarsson & Halvarsson covering Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) it is shown that Finnish companies are best in Europe in communication their CSR activities on their websites. The report is based on a review of 631 corporate websites.

Stockholm, Sweden (PRWEB) November 20, 2007 -- Corporate Social Responsibility, CSR, is gaining in importance in corporate communication and the website is the natural place to disclose information to all kinds of stakeholders.

Rank -- CSR score in H&H Webranking -- Country

1 -- 3.06 -- Finland

2 -- 2.78 -- UK

3 -- 2.65 -- Netherlands

4 -- 2.64 -- France

5 -- 2.60 -- Spain

6 -- 2.58 -- Norway

7 -- 2.48 -- Sweden

8 -- 2.46 -- Germany

9 -- 2.28 -- Switzerland

10 -- 1.88 -- Hungary

The total average score is 2.82

The first step in the survey is to poll financial analysts, investors and business journalists across Europe about CSR related issues. From the poll a protocol with CSR specific criteria are created which is used in reviewing the companies.

A lot of the top scoring companies have sustainability and similar issues high on their agenda. It is no coincidence that top scorers in this category are companies with controversial products, such as the tobacco giant BAT (British American Tobacco) or the oil company Shell.

"UK companies in sensitive sectors such as oil, tobacco and alcohol have been early adopters in communicating their CSR activities. With the rise of campaigning on environmental and health issues, and the flourishing new world of blogging, these companies need to address what is said about them elsewhere as well", says Marcus Eriksson head of the survey at H&H.

INCREASED DEMAND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATION

Increased demand for environmental information is the dominant change according to the survey. The debate about climate change has also made an impact on the websites reviewed and many companies publish their standing on the issue on their sites. There is also a high focus on charity and standardised information, such as ISO 14001.

80 % COOPERATE WITH NGOs

More than 80 per cent of the European companies communicate a broad co-operation with NGOs, such as WWF, Red Cross, UNICEF and SOS Children's Villages on their corporate websites.

THE TOP SECTORS

Utilities, Basic industries and High tech are the three top sectors. Again it appears as the more exposed a sector is for responsibility issues, the more CSR is communicated on the corporate website.

CSR is an area that has gained more attention recently. The amount of capital invested according to ethical principles has increased, "Investors and fund managers request this information more often. Even sellside analysts are now interested in CSR, because it is now so integral to any company's strategy so that it is becoming a way of assessing risk. Today CSR issues are also far more measurable, which is what analysts need, says Marcus Eriksson.

ORDER THE REPORT

To find out more about how companies address CSR issues and how they are communicated you can order the full report through our website. More information and order the Spotlight CSR report (http://www.webranking.eu/page.aspx?id=1210?csref=prweb_csr_prm)

CONTACTS

Marcus Eriksson

Head of H&H Webranking

Tel: +46 8 407 22 17

Tommy Borglund

Head of CSR services

Tel: +46 8 407 22 63

Miriam Thunborg

Research

Tel + 46 8 407 22 94

About H&H Webranking

H&H Webranking is Europe's leading survey of corporate websites. It has been conducted annually since 1997. Each year approximately 700 websites are reviewed. Results are published in financial newspapers around Europe.

All the details of the ranking, research and the library of best practices are available to order through our website.

* H&H Webranking Company Report (http://www.webranking.eu/page.aspx?id=40&csref=prweb_csr_prm)

* H&H Webranking Sector Report (http://www.webranking.eu/page.aspx?id=42&csref=prweb_csr_prm)

* H&H Webranking OnDemand Company or Sector Report (http://www.webranking.eu/page.aspx?id=1214&csref=prweb_csr_prm)

Please visit our website to order your copy today: Order H&H Webranking reports! (http://www.webranking.eu/xform.aspx?id=244&csref=prweb_csr_prm)

About Hallvarsson & Halvarsson

Hallvarsson & Halvarsson AB (H&H) is the leading corporate communications and financial communications agency in the Nordics with approximately 100 consultants. Through it's H&H Webranking survey and Online Corporate Communications research and advisory services a leader in Europe with a significant number of Euro Top 500 companies as clients.

Services offered includes:

* Corporate communications

* Public Affairs

* Crisis management

* CSR Corporate Social Responsibility

* Media Relations

* Corporate websites

* Web consulting

* H&H Webranking

* Financial reports

* Investor Relations

* Transactions

* Corporate Design

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