CorpComms Magazine

More than 90 per cent of consumers believe that it is a good idea for companies to participate in corporate social responsibility (CSR) but are unwilling to pay to support related initiatives, according to recent survey by Australian engineering firm MWH.

Two thirds of respondents said that CSR should be a mandatory cost within a business, but only a fifth believe that this cost should fall to consumers.

More than 40 per cent believe that consumers should have a choice as to whether to contribute towards CSR initiatives or not.

Almost nine out of ten were not sure exactly what CSR was, but once it was explained, more than half said that they would not be willing to pay for it.

Peter Williams, managing director of MWH, said that companies should allow customers to opt-out if they do not want to pay towards CSR. He added that CSR efforts should be transparent and discrete.

Child labour is the top CSR concern: the study revealed that more than two fifths of those surveyed prefer to invest in CSR if it relates to the abolition of child labour. Up to 40 per cent preferred to contribute to protecting endangered species, while 39 per cent favoured the protection of natural habitats.

Almost two thirds said that consumers should be the ones who decide which CSR activities the businesses should support.

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