The second Henley Business School – Africa Risk Insights (Pty) Ltd research report on the STATE OF ESG STRATEGIC INTEGRATION IN JSE LISTED COMPANIES is now out. The report is the result of a comprehensive survey of 63 companies listed on the JSE, 70% of which with annual sales over 3.8 billion pounds, covering 10 different industries. Some of the key take always are:
i) Strategic integration occurs more as a “soft” internal capability building exercise. Greater strategic moves specifically aimed at improving #esg performance such as:
1) Acquiring other companies to improve the ability to handle ESG priorities;
2) Entering significant partnerships/ joint ventures to enable ESG implementation;
3) Divesting assets negatively contributing to ESG performance; and
4) Changing distribution channels, remain less common.
ii) More involved #boards on #strategydevelopment seem drive a greater degree of #ESG #strategicchange;
iii) Internal and external “social” strategic initiatives are clearly prioritised by boards, including on aspects such as diversity, working conditions, pay, and community development (including local enterprise development).
