While many business practices are shared universally, social and political realities that can affect the way business is managed can vary greatly among countries.

That is the finding of Mapping Stakeholder Landscapes, a new Center report that describes how stakeholder groups differ around the world and the need to balance the variation at the local level with interests shared globally. Read the rest of this entry »

While some days I get a headache or my legs grow stiff from sitting too long, I’m not usually sore after a long day at work.  But after the Center staff volunteered alongside Timberland employees and stakeholders at their 12^th annual Serv-a-palooza, I was aching for days.

The tasks we completed varied from planting trees to building picnic tables, installing insulation, clearing a trail and completely revamping the front façade, garden and patio of the Seacoast YMCA in Portsmouth, N.H.  We worked alongside our contacts at Timberland, as well as many of their other stakeholders. We met the local City Year volunteers who got the morning off to an energetic start by chanting, stomping and shouting in their bright red jackets. Employees from Home Depot, Bank of America and the local YMCA also participated in the day’s events. Read the rest of this entry »

 The rise of social media and real-time advocacy have re-written the community outreach rules companies followed for decades. But many American firms are dragging their feet as they approach “Community Relations 2.0,” Boston College researchers report in the November issue of Harvard Business Review. Read the rest of this entry »

The Boston College Center has launched its new onclick="_gaq.push(['_link', 'http://bccorporatecitizenmembers.org/']); return false;">online Member Community
! Created exclusively for Boston College Center members, the online community is a place for members to learn, collaborate and support one another, while communicating and brainstorming ideas in a safe and closed environment. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2009 PR Week / Barkley Cause Survey uncovers that while consumers have decreased spending on charitable giving, 91% expect companies to fill that gap and showcase their commitment to the greater good (up from 86% in 2008). The study also reveals that cause can make strong business sense for brands by increasing trial, loyalty, sales, and even higher prices at the cash register. For the full survey, visit www.barkleyus.com. Read the rest of this entry »