Arif ZAMAN
Research Fellow, Henley Management College
April 13, 2004

Tepco, Parmalat and Enron. These names, by the admission of senior executives in all companies, are now synonymous with corporate irresponsibility. Indeed, the issue of trust - in business, governments, media and pressure groups in particular - is perhaps one of the most urgent challenges of our time and one that has no borders. This was highlighted at the Davos Economic Summit in January 2003 and can also be seen in the broader context of confidence - by customers, employees, shareholders and also communities - in business policy and its translation into practice. Corporate social responsibility and socially responsible investment have provided opportunities for companies to align their activities with broader societal expectations.