"How Electronics Companies Communicate Ethics and Sustainability: Insights from electronica in Messe München 2024"
To gain insights into how companies in the electronics industry communicate their commitment to ethics and sustainability, an assessment was conducted on the websites of 100 exhibitors from Messe München 2024. This evaluation focused on key areas such as transparency regarding revenue and profit, employee and client relations, ethical statements, ESGs, and the visibility of company values and sustainability efforts. With mandatory ESG reporting for large enterprises (over 500 employees) already in place, and compliance requirements extending to SMEs by 2025, it is crucial to see how well companies are preparing for these regulatory shifts.
Origin
Value of the findings
The findings of this assessment are valuable for several reasons:
By understanding how your company measures up, you can strengthen both your current standing and long-term competitiveness.
Sustainability or Ethics
About Sustainability or Ethics
Company values
Annual report
Revenue / Profit mentioned
No. of employees mentioned
Survey findings
In a randomized survey of 100 European exhibitors, several striking findings emerged. While 65% of companies prominently display their core values on their websites, only 14% make an annual report available for public viewing, and a mere 18% mention their revenue or profits. Interestingly, the number of employees is more frequently disclosed, with 62% of companies sharing this information. This reveals a tendency for companies to highlight their workforce rather than their financial performance.
The focus on values and employee numbers, while often lacking financial transparency, indicates a significant opportunity for improvement in communicating key financial metrics and making annual reports accessible. These insights offer companies a chance to enhance their transparency and improve their relationships with stakeholders, ultimately strengthening their reputation.
Survey reveals
The survey reveals that companies generally report well on their certifications, such as ISO standards. Interestingly, companies that provide an annual report often also have a sustainability report, suggesting a potential correlation or even a cause-effect relationship. Among the 100 companies surveyed, 47% communicate about sustainability and/or ethics, while only 14% feature a CEO quote addressing these crucial topics.
What stands out is that just 16% of companies explicitly mention the ESGs, despite many sustainability reports appearing to align with the Sustainable Development Goals. This indicates a missed opportunity to clearly communicate their commitment to the ESGs. The findings highlight significant room for improvement in transparency and communication about ethical and sustainable efforts, which could enhance both credibility and impact for companies.
Mentioned sustanainability or ethics
Quote CEO about ethics & sustainability
Conclusion
The research reveals that while some companies in the electronics industry are making strides in transparency and communication, there is still significant room for improvement. To stand out as an ethical responsible company and employer, it’s essential to not only adopt best practices but also to effectively communicate these efforts to your audience.
Feature your company in an Ethical Profile. Bridge this gap. Obey ESG-laws. Showcase your commitment. Make it resonate with stakeholders, clients, employees. Take this unique opportunity to elevate your brand. First step: get in touch with our publisher Johan Dijk.