Values

175 Years of Bertelsmann | The Management The Group | Divisions | Spirit | Financial Information 35
Bertelsmann Essentials
Corporate Responsibility
Economic responsibility
Growth and corporate continuity form the basis of our corporate responsibility. Th is means generating profi ts and securing a
return on capital that ensures such growth and continuity. Only in this way can we secure and create jobs, thereby contributing
to prosperity in the countries and cities in which we operate. Our entrepreneurial actions follow the principles of good corporate
management and are guided by ethical values.
Responsibility for our employees
A sense of partnership between the company and its employees guides our thinking and actions for the benefi t of all stakeholders:
Bertelsmann’s owners, management and employee representatives share a basic understanding that treating each other as partners
not only increases everyone’s satisfaction and identifi cation with the company and his or her personal role in the company
but is also one of the key prerequisites for business success. Th at is why employee programs have always been a special focus of
corporate responsibility at Bertelsmann.
Responsibility for society
Media are more than just a commodity. Media content is both an economic and a cultural asset. Accordingly, we media makers
have a special responsibility: We seek to contribute to a diverse media landscape by providing a variety of creative entertainment
and information services. In addition, we serve as good citizens and are active locally, helping to create a liveable environment
and reduce social injustice. Finally, we are committed to promoting reading skills and media literacy as well as young talent in
the media industry.
Responsibility for the environment
Any company that prints and publishes books and magazines, distributes CDs and DVDs, and off ers a wide range of services
inevitably enters into a complex interrelationship with the environment. Although the media sector has less impact on the
environment than other industries, we at Bertelsmann take our responsibilities in this context very seriously. Treating natural
resources responsibly at every stage of our value chain, in the interest of protecting the environment and the climate, is an
important aspect of our social responsibility.
Bertelsmann Annual Report 2009
Our Responsibility