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FOREWORD Today, corporate social responsibility (CSR) is the language under which the role of business in society is discussed and debated. The term might seem new to the people of Saudi Arabia, but the underlying message of business-society interdependence is enduring. Saudi Arabia has many development challenges and Saudi business can play a significant role in contributing through their social responsibility programmes. Giving to society is not new to Saudi businesses. We have a great history of generosity and goodwill from both business people and companies. We need, however, to move a step further with our corporate social work to make it more effective. Facing the development challenges requires us to institutionalise an integrated approach to development linked with human development, social progress and the preservation of our environmental and cultural assets. The work presented in this report, Saudi Companies & Social Responsibility – Challenges and Ways Forward, highlights some of the key challenges and ways forward for Saudi Arabia corporate social responsibility for it to be an effective driver for the long-term sustainable development of the Kingdom. The report emphasises the need for more creative frameworks and ideas that help companies identify, prioritise and address the social and environmental issues that matter most, and where the private sector can make the biggest impact individually and/ or in partnerships with the public sector. We hope you will find this report presents a motivating case for companies and policy makers alike. Asya Al Ashaikh President Tamkeen Development and Management Consulting 1 Tamkeen 2007
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background This study looks at the relationship between business and society in Saudi Arabia using the language of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). We use CSR language to emphasise the proactive nature on the part of companies to address the social consequences of their activities and contribute to development needs. The underlying rationale is not only normative but also economic as evidence shows that the long-term health of both business and society are intertwined. In Saudi Arabia, there are many development challenges. The 8th fiveyear plan outlined the key ones to be overcome for achieving Saudi Arabia Vision 2025. Among these are employment generation, poverty reduction, improving the quality of life, reducing imbalances in regional development and rationalising water use, just to mention a few. The Saudi political leadership has also made it clear that it wants to involve the private sector in development more and more. With this background, the study explores the experience of Corporate Saudi Arabia with social responsibility and highlights opportunities and challenges for the CSR movement to contribute to the development needs in Saudi Arabia. The aim is to bring renewed understanding for effective CSR both in terms of helping development needs as well as creating shared value - that is, meaningful benefits for both business and society. Study objectives • Understand the normative and business drivers for CSR in the Saudi context as seen in the eyes of the private sector. • Identify priority social concerns and areas where the private sector sees the greatest opportunities to be effective. • Understand current level of environmental and social responsiveness among Saudi companies, and how companies are organising for CSR. • Identify gaps and challenges where the CSR can move to a more effective role in meeting the development needs. Findings Findings from this study point to the fact that Saudi companies are more engaged in social issues than what is actually reported or disclosed in public information. This lack of reporting has underrepresented Saudi CSR in international benchmark studies and indices giving the general impression that Saudi companies are not doing much in this field. 3 Tamkeen 2007
Page 4 and 5: Study Scope • A focus on the Saud
Page 6 and 7: CSR movement in Saudi Arabia is in
Page 8 and 9: INTRODUCTION 8 Tamkeen 2007
Page 10 and 11: Saudi Arabia's development challeng
Page 12 and 13: cultures and socio-political situat
Page 14 and 15: 4. THE STUDY AND PROCESS Background
Page 16 and 17: On the Process Sometimes the proces
Page 18 and 19: STUDY RESULTS 18 Tamkeen 2007
Page 20 and 21: emerging economies such as adjustin
Page 22 and 23: action without much detail on outco
Page 24 and 25: 6. THE VIEWS FROM SAUDI BUSINESS LE
Page 26 and 27: ‘either our education system is n
Page 28 and 29: Priority Social Issues & Concerns I
Page 30 and 31: ‘closing the gap between what the
Page 32 and 33: Business Strategy, Competitiveness
Page 34 and 35: and internal code of conduct docume
Page 36 and 37: 7. SUMMARY AND OBSERVATIONS develop
Page 38 and 39: WAYS FORWARD 38 Tamkeen 2007
Page 40 and 41: 8. SETTING PRIORITIES There will be
Page 42 and 43: environment that affect the underly
Page 44 and 45: APPENDIX A Saudi Companies in the S
Page 46 and 47: NOTES 1- For example a search in th

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