ANNUAL REPORT 2009 - Saab

ADMINISTRATION REPORT > SAAB’S RESPONSIBILITIESSAFE AND SUSTAINABLESOCIETIESSaab’s operations contribute to security and stability in theworld. With high ethical standards and responsible decisionsin a successful business, we are also a positive forcefor people, the environment and society.Saab’s vision and core values – expertise, trust and ambition – are theguiding principles in our operations and therefore in how we takeresponsibility. Trust is fundamental to our existence. We earn it bymaking responsible decisions in our operations and in relation to thecommunities we serve. Respect for others, stimulating jobs and safework environments for our employees, consideration for the environmentand responsibility for the local community help us toachieve our operating goals.SAAB’S VALUES ARE:EXPERTISE – We combine a strong history of knowledge with continuouslearning.TRUST – We are honest and reliable citizens of the world and we keep ourpromises.AMBITION – We have a passion for innovation, we are open to change andare committed to being fast and flexible.Prerequisites for Saab’s operationsThe United Nations Charter gives every nation the right to protectitself and its citizens. This right applies regardless of whether thenation has its own defence industry. Saab’s vision is based on ourefforts to keep society and those of us who live here safe. By improvingand upgrading technological systems and solutions, we can defacto increase security in society and for its citizens, including thosewhose job it is to maintain security. But we also have to provideinsight into how threats against security are changing and developinnovative solutions to keep society safe.Every contract is governed by specific rules and guidelines. In Sweden,for example, the production and export of defence materiel areregulated by laws, ordinances and guidelines adopted by parliament. Insimilar fashion, we abide by the laws and regulations in the other countrieswhere we operate. In addition, we help to protect human rightsand give consideration to health, safety and environmental issues.This is our commitment at Saab. It is a commitment to maintainhigh standards in everything we do.High ethical standards throughout the organisationSaab’s Code of Conduct governs our actions. While reinforcing ourvalues, it establishes an overall approach with rules on our individualand collective responsibilities. The code is based on the OECD’sguidelines for multinational companies and the ten principles in theUN’s Global Compact and provides clearly defined rules and routinesto ensure that accepted business practices are applied in day-todayoperations.Saab works continuously with business ethics and to ensure thatwe live by our values in our marketing and when transacting business.In 2009, Saab established a rule whereby senior managementmust approve arrangements that are entered into with marketingconsultants concerning large contracts. Every relationship with amarketing consultant must be approved by the business area managerand marketing manager. All agreements, including with regardto compensation, must be proportional to the services rendered.Employees who work with marketing consultants must also receivetraining. Moreover, Saab has established a special Ethics and Complianceunit in the legal department. This ensures that the rules onmarketing consultants are effective and updated regularly, and thathow the rules are applied is monitored. Compliance is controlledthrough audits by Saab’s internal and external auditors.If any issues or problems arise in the workplace, employeesshould be able to discuss them with their immediate supervisor.If this is not possible, there is a helpdesk that they can contact.Joint efforts to fight corruptionSaab has played an active role in the establishment of a code of conductfor European defence companies through the Aerospace andDefence Industry Association. The code is designed to fight corruptionand contains a toolbox to facilitate the introduction of and compliancewith these rules. A large number of defence exporters inEurope have pledged to abide by the code.40 saab ANNUAL REPORT 2009