Corporate Social Sustainability

The St James Ethics Centre spoke at the April 2010 Streamline Business Short, Sharp Seminar about responsible business practices and programs offered through the Centre.

St James Ethics Centre

St James Ethics Centre is a fully independent, not-for-profit organisation which provides a non-judgemental forum for the promotion and exploration of ethics visit St James Ethics Centre for more information.

Responsible Business Practice

Responsible business practices include a company's positive impact on society and the environment through its operations, products or services and through its interaction with key stakeholders such as employees, customers, investors, communities and suppliers. Responsible business practices cover activities such as maintaining economic viability, protecting and supporting employees, engaging with and disseminating responsible business practices through your supply chain, engaging with your community and other stakeholders, and reducing your business's impact on the environment.

Funded by the Federal Government, through Treasury, 'The Hub' website has been designed as a consolidated space for engagement, interaction and connectivity to help build communities of responsible business practice in Australia. Visit 'The Hub' for more information

The Elements of responsible business practice include:

  • Environmental- the environmental impact, direct or indirect, of an organisation's operations, products or services including those of its suppliers.

  • Community/Social- the impact of an organisation's projects, products, services or investments on the community at a local or global level.

  • Workplace Practices - including respectful, treatment of employees in matters related to recruitment and selection, diversity and equal opportunity, work/life balance, professional development and progression, managing redundancies and full entitlement to employment rights.

  • Marketplace & Business Conduct- responsible behaviour in developing, purchasing, selling and marketing products and services 

  • Ethical Governance- from board level and throughout an organisation: transparency; risk management; due diligence; effective codes of conduct and ethics

 

Good Business Register

Good business practices help you manage your businesses financial stability, motivate and develop staff, support responsible buying and selling practices, ensure that your business is a part of the community, and reduce your impact on the environment. Each of these practices can save you money and grow your business.

The Good Business Registeris an online platform developed by St James Ethics Centre and a range of project collaborators, funded by the Federal Government (Treasury). Visit the Good Business Register for more information.

The five Principles of Responsible Business Practice 

The five Principles of Responsible Business Practice behind the Good Business Register have been derived from an analysis of the supply chain requirements of the Corporate Responsibility Index Leaders Network which includes companies such as Westpac, Toyota, ANZ and EnergyAustralia. 

  1. FINANCIAL SUSTAINABILITY - Operate our business in an economically sustainable manner
  2. WORKPLACE- Provide a workplace that supports worker and employee wellbeing and inclusiveness
  3. SUPPLY CHAIN - Promote responsible business practices throughout our supply chain
  4. STAKEHOLDERS & COMMUNITY - Actively engage with our community and other stakeholders
  5. ENVIRONMENT- Minimise the impact of our business activities on the environment