CEDA’s inaugural Company Pulse is a nationwide survey of the general public and business leaders that includes more than 3000 people.

Overall, the results show the community expects a broad contribution from business including on social and environmental issues. While our survey highlights many issues that the community and business leaders are aligned on – perhaps more so than might be expected – it also identifies areas of disconnect.

Business and the general public agree that expectations of business have risen. However, scepticism remains around whether the behaviour of business has improved, and whether business leaders are seeking to advance national interests or their own company’s when they speak out on important issues.

Highlights:

• Seventy-two per cent of people believe business should place equal importance on economic, environmental and social performance;
• More than 70 per cent of the general public agreed that large companies should place equal importance on economic, environmental and social performance; 
• More than three-quarters of survey respondents supported business leaders speaking out on issues of national importance, including social and environmental issues;
• More women than men rank environmental and social issues as higher priorities for business;
• Millennials ranked environment, ethical supply chains and work/life balance for employees as issues of importance while baby boomers ranked quality products and paying small businesses promptly as issues of importance.