In 2011, the European Commission decides how best to change the existing policy of the European Union on corporate disclosure of environmental, social and governance (ESG) information. Previous guidelines recommended that European companies disclose ESG information, but now the EU has to decide if the organization should be required to disclose non-financial information. The EU was to determine what types of organizations will be required to disclose information that an international framework will serve as a standard management reporting and disclosure, if ESG is integrated with financial material in one annual report. This case describes the history and trends in corporate social responsibility, accountability, encourage discussion about the point of decision making and the consequences of reporting rules. "Hide
by Robert G. Eccles, George Serafeim, Philip Andrews Source: Harvard Business School 26 pages. Publication Date: June 15, 2011. Prod. #: 111120-PDF-ENG