Managing CR
- Dow Jones Sustainability Index For the third consecutive year, Abbott was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index and Sustainability North America Index, the only U.S. pharmaceutical company listed in both indices. The DJSI World ranks Abbott among the top 10 percent of the world's leading 2,500 companies, based on an assessment of economic, social and environmental performance. The Sustainable Access Management (SAM) annual review recognized Abbott as a "sector mover" and awarded the company a "silver class" ranking for 2008.
Citizenship is integral to who we are and how we conduct business.
Commitment and Management
For us, citizenship reflects how our company advances our business objectives, engages stakeholders, implements our policies, applies our social investment and philanthropy, and exercises our influence to make a productive contribution to society.
This commitment begins at the top, with our Chairman and CEO, and with our board of directors. Management systems are well established to integrate citizenship within our businesses, and include the following:
Board of Directors. A commitment to citizenship is among the criteria for board membership. The charter of the Board's Public Policy Committee includes the review and evaluation of Abbott's policies and practices with respect to social responsibility.
Business Conduct Committee. Chaired by our Vice President and Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer and made up of the leaders of our business units, it oversees implementation of our ethics and compliance programs.
Pharmaceutical Policy Committee. Chaired by the Executive Vice President of our Pharmaceutical Products Group, and comprising senior executives with responsibility for pharmaceutical research, pharmaceutical businesses, regulatory, legal, public affairs and global citizenship, it directs actions on policy issues and integrates decisions into business strategy.
Executive Inclusion Council. Led by our Chairman and CEO, it oversees our diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Global Operations Council. Sets EHS goals for Abbott around the world.
Global Citizenship Working Group. Improves reporting and transparency about our social, economic and environmental performance. Members include representatives from Corporate Strategy; Corporate Purchasing; Environment, Health & Safety; the Office of Ethics and Compliance; Quality and Regulatory Affairs; Human Resources; Investor Relations; and commercial operations.
Global Citizenship and Policy Department. The primary catalyst in implementing our citizenship vision, this department facilitates discussion and forms positions on key issues. It chairs the Global Citizenship Working Group, and reports to a corporate officer who reports to the Chairman and CEO.
Learning Forums
We continue to participate in and contribute to the evolution of the role of business in society. Some of the leading forums include the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative at Harvard University, the Center for Corporate Citizenship at Boston College, the Commonwealth Business Council, the Business Civic Leadership Center, the Conference Board Center on Citizenship and Sustainability, and Business for Social Responsibility.
Organization and Accountability
