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Corporate Responsibility
How We Operate
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Identifying key CR issues and stakeholders
It is important that our CR reporting addresses issues that are material to our business and reflect stakeholder concerns. In 2005 we worked with PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to obtain an independent view of the issues relevant to our CR reporting and an understanding of our priority CR stakeholders and their key concerns. We aim to use the findings from this work to help shape our CR reporting and stakeholder engagement. PwC used desk-based research and interviews with BAE Systems employees. Each CR issue identified was scored according to how material it is to our business and the level of interest and expectation relating to it. Stakeholder groups were scored according to their level of influence over BAE Systems and to their level of interest in our CR performance. PwC concluded that BAE Systems currently provides stakeholders with information on all the issues identified as important for our business. For over half of these issues BAE Systems reports at a level consistent with stakeholder expectations. The key areas our stakeholders consider material to our business are anti-bribery and corruption practices, health and safety, government relations and political influence and product responsibility. Stakeholder Engagement Defence companies play an important and legitimate role in society. We are proud that our products help countries to defend themselves and enable peacekeepers to do their jobs. However, we recognise that for some defence is a controversial industry. No matter how necessary, the manufacture and sale of equipment that is designed to kill inevitably evokes strong feelings. We believe it is important to understand the views of others and explain our approach. Good communication helps us develop and improve our CR programmes. We encourage dialogue and open communication with our stakeholders including employees and their families, trade unions, shareholders, customers, business partners, suppliers, competitors, governments, NGOs and local communities. Much of this discussion takes place as part of normal business. We also communicate specifically on our CR performance through this report, our website and individual meetings. We welcome feedback on any of the issues covered in this web-site or our annual CR reports. Comments can be sent to crfeedback@baesystems.com Stakeholder Opinion We recognise and respect the rights of individuals and organisations to hold views that differ from ours. We value feedback and engagement with our stakeholders as an essential aspect of progressing our CR agenda. Below are some of the stakeholder opinions we have featured in our CR Reporting. 1. Can a defence company be socially responsible? 2. Defence exports and control 3. BAE Systems’ contribution to the UK economy 4. Ethical Business Behaviour 5. Employee Relations 6. Lobbying 7. Supporting science and technology education Frequently asked questions These are some of the questions on issues relating to corporate responsibility that we receive from stakeholders. Click on a question to reveal the answer. 1. “What’s happening with the SFO enquiry?”
2. “Why do you always say ‘no comment’ in response to media allegations of unethical practices?”
3. “Does BAE Systems make or sell cluster weapons?”
4. “Does your CR reporting merely cover up what you really do?”
5. “Why do you hide behind the Government when explaining your decisions on defence exports?”
6. “Why was BAE Systems singled out by the media among UK defence sector companies for not engaging with Transparency International?”
7. “If an employee broke the law or breached your own ethical principles would you fire them?”
8. “What difference will the Corporate Responsibility Committee make to your CR performance?”
9. “Recently there have been bribery allegations made against BAE Systems. How can you claim to be a responsible company?”
10. “Do you make nuclear weapons?”
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