COLUMBUS, Ga., Dec. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Expectations of
good business behavior have become so strong that consumers are
ready to actually take action to penalize companies viewed as
irresponsible. A vast majority of professional investors view
investments in community action and philanthropy not as a waste of
money that could be returned to shareholders, but rather as an
indicator of a corporate culture less likely to produce expensive
missteps like financial fraud. An overwhelming majority of
employees believe their own companies are socially responsible,
while less than half believe that American companies overall are
responsible.
These are some of the findings in the second annual Corporate
Responsibility Survey sponsored by Aflac, leader in voluntary
insurance sales at the worksite. The study was fielded in
the United States between July 25 and Aug. 11, 2016, by
FleishmanHillard Research and Lightspeed GMI. For this survey,
1,400 respondents (100 corporate social responsibility executives,
100 investment professionals, and 1,200 American consumers aged 18
years and older) were asked about their thoughts regarding various
aspects of corporate social responsibility.
"As millennials and Gen Zers are becoming larger players in the
global economy, there is a lot of chatter about companies being
held to higher standards for being socially responsible," said
Aflac Senior Vice President of
Corporate Communications Catherine
Blades. "We conducted this scientific survey because we
wanted to dig deeper and measure why companies invest in programs
that support environmental sustainability, minority recruitment,
community support and similar goals – and what reputational impact
such programs really have on today's consumers and investors.
The results were both surprising and encouraging."
Among the revelations:
- 75 percent of consumers are likely to take some negative action
toward irresponsible companies – everything from social media
postings to organizing boycotts.
- A company that is seen as not responsible stands to lose as
much as 39 percent of its potential customer base, and 1 in 4
consumers will tell their friends and family to avoid a company
seen as not being responsible.
- 83 percent of professional investors are more inclined to
invest in stock of a company well-known for its social
responsibility, viewing such initiatives as an indicator of greater
transparency and honesty in operations and financial reporting,
resulting in lower risk.
- 79 percent of full- or part-time employed consumers believe
their own employer is socially responsible, but only 41 percent
believe all American companies are responsible.
Find the full survey results at www.Aflac.com/ACSR.
Survey Methodology
Research findings are based on a survey fielded in the United States between July 25 and Aug. 11, 2016, by
FleishmanHillard Inc. and GMI Lightspeed. For this survey, 1,400
respondents (100 corporate social responsibility executives, 100
investment professionals, and 1,200 American consumers aged 18
years and older) were asked about their thoughts regarding various
aspects of corporate social responsibility. Respondents for this
survey were selected from among those who have volunteered to
participate in online surveys and polls. The consumer survey was
weighted to match the demographic makeup of the United States in terms of age, gender,
region, race, income and education. Because the sample is based on
those who initially self-selected for participation, no estimates
of sampling error can be calculated. Sample sizes associated with
the demographic subgroups of CSR executives and investment
professionals are small, and results among these groups should be
regarded as directional only.
About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits
fast. For six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given
policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial
stress. In the United States,
Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite.
Through its trailblazing One Day PaySM initiative, Aflac U.S. can
receive, process, approve and disburse payment for eligible claims
in one business day. In Japan,
Aflac is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance and
insures 1 in 4 households. Aflac insurance products help provide
protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For 10
consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as one
of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2016, Fortune magazine
recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in
America for the 18th consecutive year and included Aflac on its
list of Most Admired Companies for the 15th time, ranking the
company No. 1 in innovation for the insurance, life and health
category for the second consecutive year. In 2015, Aflac's contact
centers were recognized by J.D. Power by providing "An Outstanding
Customer Service Experience" for the Live Phone Channel. Aflac
Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock
Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac and One
Day PaySM, visit aflac.com or espanol.aflac.com.
About Lightspeed GMI
Lightspeed GMI is an award-winning global digital data
collection enterprise. Founded in 1996, its innovative technology
and proven sampling methodologies deliver operational excellence
throughout the online research process. With more than 5.5 million
online research respondents in 45 countries, Lightspeed GMI's
proprietary panels deliver unparalleled quality, capacity and
targeting. Headquartered in Warren, New
Jersey, Lightspeed GMI is part of the Kantar, the data
investment management arm of WPP, the world leader in marketing
communication services. For more information,
visit www.lightspeedgmi.com.
Aflac herein means American Family Life Assurance Company of
Columbus and American Family Life
Assurance Company of New York.
Media contacts – Jon Sullivan,
706.763.4813 or jsullivan@aflac.com
Analyst and investor contact – Robin Y.
Wilkey, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667, FAX: 706.324.6330, or
rwilkey@aflac.com
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SOURCE Aflac