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In This Issue
Editor's Note
The Responsible Road to Myanmar
At the recent World Economic Forum meeting in Bangkok, Nobel Peace Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, a proponent of democracy who recently won a position in Myanmar’s parliament, called on businesses eager to invest in her country to avoid “reckless optimism.”
Her comment underscores one of the trickier aspects of new market entry in high-risk, transitional countries such as Myanmar. This week, BSR’s Hong Kong-based Christopher Nolan and Jeremy Prepscius use Myanmar as a case study to examine how companies can take a responsible approach to entering countries with ongoing political, economic, and legal challenges. As they point out, “In such environments, business can contribute tangibly to a country’s national development. But the stakes are high–for the company and the country.”
We also hear from an NGO leader who spoke at the Committee Encouraging Philanthropy’s recent summit on what nonprofits really want when engaging with business. And we share some highlights of a new tool BSR co-developed to help companies with sustainable supply chain management.
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In Depth
Entering Responsibly in Risky Markets: A Look at Myanmar
By Chris Nolan, Associate Director, Advisory Services, BSR; Jeremy Prepscius, Vice President, Asia-Pacific, BSR
Myanmar embodies the risks and opportunities for companies entering transitional countries characterized by underdeveloped institutions, poor human and labor rights records, weak rule of law, and other forms of political, social, and economic instability. What is the responsible way to consider entering risky markets and contribute to a country's national development?
Read more →
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On the Record
Getting the Most Value Out of Corporate-NGO Partnerships
By Cammie Erickson, Manager, Global Partnership Development, BSR
Companies entering partnerships with NGOs can contribute more than financial resources, such as employee volunteers, marketing support, or product donations. But not all NGOs believe these contributions are as valuable: At the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy Summit last week, Denver Frederick, host of WOR Radio's Business of Giving, pointed out that while 71 percent of companies think non-cash assets are more valuable to NGOs than cash, only 38 percent of nonprofits agree. There is often a mismatch between what companies want to donate, or think is most valuable, and what NGOs actually need. To ensure successful partnerships to tackle social and environmental issues, companies and NGOs must have honest discussions at the outset to define what is most valuable to each side. "Don't give us [just] what you want to give--or get rid of. Give us stuff we actually need. It's about having a dialogue." --Helene Gayle, CEO, CARE, on in-kind product donations from companies to NGOs, at the closing keynote of the CECP Summit (June 6, 2012)
Toolbox
New Tool Guides Companies on Supply Chain Sustainability
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Making progress on supply chain sustainability is a challenge that cuts across topics, organizations, and locations. BSR has launched an e-learning tool in collaboration with the UN Global Compact and Maplecroft to help companies take stock of and improve their approach to supply chain sustainability. The UN Global Compact Quick Self-Assessment and Learning Tool helps procurement, sourcing, and other managers quickly and anonymously gauge their company's supply chain sustainability strategy against a set of criteria, such as the existence of clear and established codes of conduct for the company and suppliers, internal roles and responsibilities, and sustainability goals. The tool will:
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Diagnose current gaps in approaches compared to the criteria and to peer companies (of a related size or in a related sector or region).
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Link to other tools, resources, and specific examples of other companies' supply chain sustainability practices.
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Identify areas for improvement, such as methods for engaging with suppliers and for setting internal roles and responsibilities.
For more information, contact Cody Sisco.
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