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Interviews with several chief executives of Australia's 10 most respected companies including Michael Luscombe from Woolworths, Steve Sargent from GE Australia and Alan Joyce from Qantas Airways are presented. Luscombe says that Woolworths commits to mix corporate responsibility and sustainability in its company. Sargent notes that GE's ability to adapt in the financial crisis makes it earn respect from other companies. Joyce views that customers and staff's respect is important in business.

The article looks at efforts by Australian companies to offer job opportunities to indigenous people. Business Council of Australia (BCA) Chairman Michael Chaney has called on BCA members to offer jobs to indigenous communities. According to Reconciliation Australia, only ANZ Bank has responded to Chaney's call. Mining firms Argyle Diamonds' Rio Tinto and Newmont Australia and job services Aboriginal Employment Strategy and Arrilla Indigenous Consultants have been helping indigenous people.

The article discusses the initiative which aims to create social change through practical programs that engage students, educators and business people in Australia. Brad Orgill is part of a group of executives who are members of the Australian Business and Community Network and travels to Chester Hill Public School to meet its principal and exchange views and work out ways to improve the resources and standard of education at the school.

Deals with the social responsibilities of businesses such as banks. Degree of trust banks have built with the various communities; Importance of the issue of ethical behavior; Advantages of managing the ethical side of a business. INSETS: How Shell learnt to put things right.;Private enterprise, public concern..

Focuses on Australian companies that do good deeds, which build strong reputations in the business world. The joint venture of the Australian Council of Trade Unions and Lend Lease to improve society through a charitable foundation and sponsorship; A trust for children set up by St. George Bank; The community involvement philosophy of AMP; Westpac's donation to charity; Other philanthropists.

Focuses on a study by the Centre for Corporate Public Affairs and the Business Council of Australia, which suggests that corporate community involvement is becoming more like a partnership in Australia. Goal of attaining long-term sustainability; Increased community expectations; Growth of the program called Share-A-Can.

Focuses on the need to create job positions that will be responsible for the delivery of the community's expectations about ethics as well as positions appropriate for the emergence of an electronic business culture. Tasks of the proposed position of director of ethics and virtual team optimization director; Comments of Professor Charles Handy on the role of businesses in the community. INSETS: Jobs for the future.;...and other possibilities..

The article offers information on the philanthropic work of Allan English, founder and chairman of Silver Chef, in Australia. A brief overview is given about his kitchen equipment leasing business. It discusses the corporate responsibility and support of the company to Opportunity International Australia. The poverty alleviation objective of Silver Chef is also discussed. INSET: CAPITALISM WITH A VALUE-ADDED FACE.

The article discusses the factors to building a top workplace culture, according to the Great Place to Work Institute's Top 50 Best Places to Work in 2012. The success of Ernst & Young in attracting and retaining staff is attributed to its spirit of partnership. The Institute cites other elements such as bonus superannuation, subsidized insurance, referral bonuses, philanthropic programs and corporate social responsibility. Google Australia gives credit to its Optimise Your Life health program.

The article discusses the need for a reform in Australia's MBA programs. The MBA was blamed for creating a culture of corporate greed and excess, which was believed to be the cause of the global financial crisis. This led several universities to remodel their MBA courses in response to the criticism. Most of the revamped programs include emphasis on corporate social responsibility, sustainability, and responsible leadership.

The article explores the changes in corporate volunteering in Australia. It notes that workplace volunteering is rising especially when it relates to long-term charity partners. It adds that non-profit organizations are seeking volunteers with expertise and skills. It cites National Australia Bank wherein it actively encouraged its employees to take part in not-for-profit boards to enhance their leadership skills.

The article focuses on how the employees at Dynamic Property Services responded to a gas explosion at the 29-storey Eastgate Towers Ocean Court apartment block in Sydney, New South Wales. Employees and directors of the company set aside their jobs and spent the long weekend on telephones to help residents who were evacuated from the apartment. According to Pamela Pearce, director of Dynamic, it was easy for her to convince employees to work overtime throughout the crisis.

The article presents the sustainable movement of various information technology industries in Australia. It presents the survey by Global Action Plan which reveals the 2% emissions contributed by information technology (IT) to the total annual emissions in the world. It cites the move of Macquarie Telecom Group Ltd. to sells its hosting service and the aid of Envigreen to its clients in measuring and reducing greenhouse gases. It further presents the arguments of Global Action Plan.

The article focuses on the demand of environmental professionals, such as environmental engineers and lawyers, in Australia. The responsibilities of these professionals to the companies include the development of sustainable environment-friendly products and services. According to Environment Institute of Australia and New Zealand president Bill Haylock, the country is experiencing the biggest gap on environmental law despite the country's position to respond to some environmental issues.

The article offers insights on corporate reputation and corporate social responsibility (CSR). According to Jane Schwager, former chief executive of Nonprofit Australia, companies with strong and enduring reputations have very clear rules about certain business behaviors and do not engage in unethical product promotions and business dealings of any kind. The links among nonprofits, CSR and community involvement are also analyzed.

The article analyzes how corporate social responsibility (CSR) can help China create a positive image leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics. According to the author, CSR can help businesses place ethical and social considerations in a widely accepted framework, something that China needs to change its reputation as a frontrunner of environmental degradation and human right abuses.

The article focuses on the need for companies to implement employer branding that embrace individual and group values when competing for talent. The essence of employer branding lies in employee value proposition (EVP). The latter aims to identify and articulate the experiences of employees on culture, leadership, values, reputation, corporate social responsibility, working environment, management, appraisal, reward, recognition, learning and development. Some organisations offer EVP to targeted employee groups to increase their work involvement.

The article focuses on challenges facing managers in reconciling competing aims of corporate social responsibility. McKinsey Global Institute director Diana Farrell states there will be much higher pressure for better performance on companies as a result of capital having more global benchmarks. Franz Joseph Radermacher, a member of the forecasting body The Club of Rome, stresses the importance of global governance. He believes the free market system is regulated in its property rights.

The article reports on the argument given by senior board member Don Argus concerning the change and understanding of duties and responsibilities of corporate directors in Australia. Argus infers that directors have to have a greater understanding of the operational aspects, formulation of strategy, and risk associated within the company. He disagrees with the idea that fine-detail compliance work will save a company from trouble.

The article reports on the realization of several companies on the benefits of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in Australia. The author emphasizes that CSR has nothing to do with philanthropy but it is about boosting the appeal of the company to the public. CSR has already been adopted by several companies, such as Deutsche Bank AG and Citigroup Inc.

The author reflects on the maturity of the social, environmental and economic responsibility of business enterprises. He believes that corporations have surpassed government regulations to produce their own innovative versions of the triple bottom line, which measures commercial success through financial, social and environmental achievements. He remarks that the companies are moving beyond competition to collaboration, working together to address social and environmental problems.

The article focuses on the efforts of companies to engage more actively with the general community and to become more closely involved with charitable works in Australia. A survey shows that consumer attitudes to the corporate sector would exasperate any executive committed to a socially responsible corporate agenda. Experts contended that the chairman's cheque book approach has all but disappeared. The author assesses the various socially-responsible initiatives undertaken by various companies.

The article focuses on the benefits and problems surrounding sustainability reporting for companies in Australia. Sustainability reporting allows a company to show that they are aware of their responsibilities beyond maximizing shareholder returns. However, sustainability reporting could also be used by organizations in disseminating misleading information to conceal its abuse of the environment in order to present a positive public image.

The article focuses on the importance of corporate social responsibility to businesses. Body Shop gained competitive advantage for maintaining social responsibility. The number of consumers who demand to buy products from companies whose social credentials are responsible and trustworthy. David Grayson, businessman, academic and author, considered corporate social responsibility as corporate social opportunity.

Reports on the difficulties of measuring success in a charity working with broken human beings in Australia. Framework for corporate fund raising; Need for the development of measurements for social outcomes; Opportunities for corporate staff to increase skills or team building at the not-for-profit organization.

Discusses how small business enterprises in Australia are demonstrating their responsibility to society. Plan of advertising executive Craig Wilson of interactive marketing agency NetX Communications to sponsor a contemporary art contest; Engagement of entrepreneurs in community projects, pro bono work, and providing employment opportunities to unemployed locals; Benefits of charity involvement on company reputation.

Focuses on Standards Australia's release of a set corporate governance standards to provide the business community with greater access to good governance principles. Good governance principles; Fraud and corruption control; Organizational codes of conduct; Corporate social responsibility; Whistle-blower protection programs.

Discusses the benefits of cause branding, the creation of an alliance that benefits the community and the company itself in Australia. Principles for successful cause branding; Role of mining firm BHP Billiton Ltd. chief executive Chip Goodyear in Bicycle Victoria's ride-to-work campaign; Rise of the ethical investors; Emergence of indexes to measure the social responsibility that a company has achieved.

Reports on the Good Co., a philanthropic initiative in Australia that links professionals with community groups with a view to donating time and professional skills rather than money. Finding that 65 percent of people under 30 did not believe they have a responsibility to support the work of charities; Company's aim to educate people on how to get involved with philanthropy.

The article highlights the presence of Carman's Fine Foods founder Carolyn Creswell in the launch of the Food Justice Truck in Melbourne, Victoria. It mentions Creswell's passion about food and the condition of asylum seekers, her role as ambassador for Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (ASRC), and the food truck's operation as a social enterprise which sells fresh and healthy foods to asylum seekers at lower price. It also discusses Carman's corporate social responsibility programs.

Presents principles and practices which the business sector should maintain to ensure viability. Manners; Integrity; Kindness; Self-respect; Relationship; Humor; Courage.

Presents information on the involvement of International Business Machines' (IBM) in sports arena. Support in efficient accessing of information and results; Involvement in the preparation of systems for the Olympic Games; How Australian Olympic team members trained for the 1996 games; Benefits to IBM.

This section offers management related news briefs. Toro Australia is maintaining their skills pipeline through apprenticeships which it considers a corporate responsibility. Grant Sexton, executive chairman of Leadership Management Australasia, recommends the Australian government to address improving the skills of leaders following the additional slots in vocational courses opened up by the federal government. UHY International reports the six percent drop in the value of loans to businesses.

The article focuses on Papua New Guinea-based international corporate social responsibility professional Veronica Bainton, who took an online Master of Business Administration (MBA) course, which allowed her to study while traveling.

The article looks at how Web-based crowd-funding platforms allow private individuals to contribute to social change by investing small amounts of money for start-up businesses and public welfare projects. Crowd-funding examples include Kickstarter, started in 2009 for financing all kinds of creative ideas, and Barefoot Power, which solicits micro-finance loans to purchase solar-powered lamps to replace the kerosene-based lamps often used as a light source by poor families around the world.

The author reflects on the importance of perspective in making or breaking a business. The author believes that one should learn how to control how one reacts in any situation, as it is the only thing that one can control in any of the circumstances that may occur. The author added that attitude must also be instilled in company values, as it helps on the way how people see the company.

A letter to the editor is presented discussing the key problem of environment, social, governance/sustainability reporting.

The article features the accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), winner of the journal's 2010 Private Business Awards for Excellence in Environmental Practices. According to Andy Ridley, co-founder of the environmental scheme Earth Hour, PwC helped in promoting the initiative at the community and government levels. PwC corporate responsibility partner Rick Millen reported that the firm has set ambitious environmental goals including a 25% reduction in carbon emissions by 2012.

The article reports on the survey results conducted by the Australian Institute of Company Directors indicating that three in five company directors volunteer in not-for-profit (NFP) boards.

The article reports on the compulsory submission of emissions data by companies to the federal government which will go on public record in February 2010. The submission is required under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting legislation. According to Tony Reeves of Group 100, companies should not underestimate the hurdles as well as the complexity of implementing the carbon emissions reporting system. The partnership between KPMG and G100 to bridge the complexity is noted.

The article reports on the insights of Amnesty Australia International director Claire Mallinson regarding the relevance of organized human rights policies in managing a business. It relates the experience of Rio Tinto PLC worker Stern Hu who manifested the cause of disordered human rights policy. According to Mallinson, the moral responsibility of corporations has elevated in direct linkage to their power, and companies struggle although they strongly emphasize corporate social responsibility.

The article reports on a study regarding the importance of compatibility between business brand and target market, and the charity it wants to promote in corporate social responsibility (CSR). According to the director of Cavill and Sweeney Research, Hailey Cavill, long-term partnership with a cause is an effective measure like in the case of Kleenex and guide dogs. She also mentions that the CSR company's credibility depends more on charities, rather than on multinational companies.

The article focuses on the implications of the going green approach adopted by managing partner Peter Butler in Freehills. It reveals the issuance of water flask or glasses to staff and clients to dramatically reduce carbon footprint even at the very minimal steps. Butler asserts the value of reducing carbon footprint in attracting and retaining staff as well as in demanding commitment to sustainability among clients.

The article reports on the survey conducted by Australian Centre for Corporate Social Responsibility (ACCSR) which revealed the emergence of corporate social responsibility (CSR) management roles. The survey shows that 28% of the 352 surveyed organizations plan to create new CSR positions in 2009. It was also found out that the creation of business case for CSR and internal resistance were among the significant obstacles to the growth of the CSR management function.

The article focuses on "BRW Rich 200 Charity Challenge" organized by Business Review Weekly (BRW) and United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF). It says that the event aims to observe the spirit and practice of giving among individuals, business leaders, and entrepreneurs. It presents the difference in the trend of sharing between rich Americans and super rich Australians as depicted by various researches including the UNICEF research and Merrill Lynch Co. and Capgemini.

The article focuses on ByteBack program, an end-of-life response of businesses and private individuals to recycling unwanted systems in electronic equipment in Victoria. It reveals that the program obliges the Victorian government to cover the cost of recycling the orphaned equipment; thereby reducing the orphaned system and creating a more sustainable long-term economic model. It further reveals the support of Environment Protection and Heritage Council and of Planet Ark website to the program.

The article reports on the advise by Goldman Sachs JBWere Pty. Ltd. (GSJW) for investors to hold off even if corporate social responsibility (CSRs) share price may look cheap in Australia. According to GSJWB, earnings per share (EPS) will be down by 5.7% in 2009-2010 and 8.6% in 2011. Moreover, the outlook for CSR's sugar and building products divisions is unclear.

The article reports on the increasing importance of environmental credentials in contract negotiations for information and communication technology (ICT) in Australia. Lawyer Dudley Kneller said that the transfer in the ICT market towards environmental-friendly products and services is already having a great impact on customer procurement behavior. He added that businesses create more carbon emissions from ICT use and green considerations are now essential to ICT purchasing decisions.

The article reports on the impact of the global financial crisis on philanthropy and social entrepreneurship in Australia. According to Worldwide Ireland Funds Chief Executive Officer Kingsley Aikins, social entrepreneurship and philanthropy are about to become more difficult. Aikins also said that the credit crunch will make it harder to raise donations.

The article highlights the results of a survey of attitudes to corporate social responsibility in Australia. The survey reveals that Australians can see through companies that link themselves to charities and good causes, but still buy from them anyway. The survey was conducted by Melbourne consulting firm Cavill & Co.