Chinese students scrutinise firms’ charitable and community records

University students in China who are considering future employers want to know primarily whether companies make donations and play a part in their communities, reports a new survey by AIESEC, the world’s largest student organization.

Companies’ policies on environmental care, education, employees’ rights and training are next on the list.

The students interviewed were critical of PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG over their life-work and health policies, and said they were not impressed with Wal-Mart on labour issues. They were also unhappy with Sinopec over its environmental record.

They were particularly interested to know whether employers gave money to charities and allowed staff to volunteer for charities. After that, they sought employers that formed partnerships with non-governmental organizations, government and other bodies to help society. They then preferred companies that did not trade in products that were harmful, such as cigarettes or arms.

However, the survey indicated there was a general lack of knowledge among the students, implying that companies are known for the positive aspects of their activities. It also showed that students had a narrow understanding of CSR, missing many issues that mark out responsible business. Few, for example, appreciated that health and safety were vital parts of CSR.