© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
73 For any social responsibility objective, a mix of indicator types can be most effective in driving the desired
3038 action.
3039
7.5.5 Action plans, instruments and implementation 3040
Action plans can help with implementing social responsibility in a structured way. This could include: 3041
Defining and prioritizing actions to implement issues relevant to social responsibility into the main
3042 activities, goods and services;
3043
Defining short-, mid-, and long-term implementation milestones that include or link to actions that are 3044
part of the stakeholder engagement plan see Clause 7.3, communication plan see Clause 7.6, 3045
educating and training of employees, and that minimize risks and maximize opportunities for 3046
integrating social responsibility into the organization and for measuring the defined indicators; 3047
Allocating resources, for example budget, human resources, specific expertise, technology and
3048 information systems; and
3049
Describing methods for executing the plan and measuring results. 3050
To avoid their redundancy, existing instruments, systems and frameworks already established in an 3051
organization should be used for implementing social responsibility plans. 3052
An organization should determine how to integrate the necessary measures and actions into the existing 3053
operational framework, for example, systems for setting targets and rewards, management systems and 3054
mechanisms of organizational and human resources development. It should also consider existing 3055
instruments, frameworks and tools for realizing the strategies for social responsibility and discuss how 3056
specific actions and measures could be integrated. 3057
7.6 Communicating on social responsibility
3058
7.6.1 Key considerations 3059
Effectively communicating with stakeholders about social responsibility serves many purposes. Such 3060
communication: 3061
Raises awareness within an organization about its plans, performance and challenges for social
3062 responsibility;
3063
Stimulates improvements on issues of social responsibility; 3064
Aligns plans, actions and roles concerning social responsibility with the expectations of its
3065 stakeholders;
3066
Enhances an organization’s reputation for responsible action, openness, integrity and accountability, to 3067
strengthen stakeholder trust and confidence in the organization; 3068
Meets the requests of investors, consumers and other stakeholders for information on social
3069 responsibility about an organization that can be used to assess performance;
3070
Addresses legal and other requirements for such information; 3071
Shows the extent of conformity with commitments to social responsibility to which the organization
3072 subscribes; and
3073
Provides a framework for ensuring prompt and adequate responses to emergencies related to issues 3074
of social responsibility. 3075
74
© ISO 2007 - all rights reserved
To be effective, communication about social responsibility must be credible with its stakeholders. Such 3076
communication should: 3077
Use a variety of communication tools and techniques, as appropriate;
3078
Be both regular and ad hoc on specific issues; 3079
Address short-term targets and long-term objectives;
3080
Discuss both achievements and problems; 3081
Be open [transparent], honest, ethical and accurate as well as responsive to the reasonable requests
3082 and needs of stakeholders without divulging protected information;
3083
Be consistent and comparable over time and be comparable with applicable, reasonably available 3084
performance benchmarks; 3085
Be feasible and practical for the organization; and
3086
Be timely, clear, succinct and complete for the purpose intended. 3087
7.6.2. Types of communication on social responsibility
