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Business and Government Relations

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Submitted By sponder123
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Multinational Corporations that maintain high levels of financial transparency and ethical standards realize higher profits in the long run than those that do not. Gap Incorporated adheres to high ethical standards and has enjoyed both financial success and growth globally throughout the last ten years. The company publicly reports numerous financial statements including its annual report, investor advice and guidance, and reports on individual department success. Gap funds over forty non-for profit organizations and sends employees to volunteer at numerous charities. Gap has created a foundation called beyond the seams to make sure the company adheres to environmental, social, and ethical guidelines. Gap Inc. is committed to funding programs that aid women and children in achieving success and helping entrepreneurs to begin stable businesses. Through Gap’s ethical standards, it has developed legitimacy and positive stakeholder relations which attribute to the company’s global success. Gap has realized growth as a company and in many individual areas, with its current stock listed at over twenty six dollars per share (Gap Inc, 1). Levi Strauss has a published code of ethical values available for its share holders as follows “We believe that business can drive profits through principles, and that our values as a company and as individuals give us a competitive advantage. Empathy — walking in other people’s shoes Empathy begins with paying close attention to the world around us. We listen and respond to the needs of our customers, employees and other stakeholders. Originality — being authentic and innovative The pioneering spirit that started in 1873 with the very first pair of blue jeans still permeates all aspects of our business. Through innovative products and practices, we break the mold. Integrity — doing the right thing Integrity means doing right by our employees, brands, company and society as a whole. Ethical conduct and social responsibility characterize our way of doing business. Courage — standing up for what we believe It takes courage to be great. Courage is the willingness to tell the truth and to challenge hierarchy, accepted practice and conventional wisdom. It means standing by our convictions and acting on our beliefs. We are the embodiment of the energy and events of our time, inspiring people from all walks of life with a pioneering spirit. Generations have worn Levi’s® jeans, turning them into a symbol of freedom and self-expression in the face of adversity, challenge and social change. Our customers forged a new territory called the American West. They fought in wars for peace. They instigated counterculture revolutions. They tore down the Berlin Wall. Reverent, irreverent — they took a stand” (Levi Strauss & CO, 1). Levi Strauss reports. What is distinctive about Levi’s public policy approach is both the scope of issues and depth of our engagement in those issues. Areas of concentration in the company policy include advocating for fair international trade, providing fair labor conditions, environmental sustainability, and supporting NGO’s, the ILO, and the WTO. Levi’s advocacy efforts reflect its “profits-through principles” approach which has caused “improved market access, friendlier business climates, more consistent, fair and enforceable labor standards and stronger communities” in every country the company does business (Levi Strauss & CO, 2). Through developing friendly business relations, Levi has been able to expand and gain business in Europe, Asia, Canada, and Latin America. Through L&S ethical conduct which goes above and beyond international laws; Levi & Strauss has enjoyed international financial success unrivaled by most American firms.
Nike, Inc. has a code of ethics for all employees called Inside the Lines. It defines the standards of conduct the company expects all employees to follow including topics such as: employee activity, ethical behavior, product safety, legal compliance, and financial transparency. Nike is known for its crack downs on sweatshops around the world. Nike has been recognized for excellence in financial reporting. Reporting Agencies that Nike is a part of include: The Calvert Social Index, which is a broad-based, rigorously constructed benchmark for measuring the performance of large, U.S.-based socially responsible companies, The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, which assess opportunities and risks in a company's economic, environmental and social developments, based on a defined set of criteria. Nike is also a part of the FTSE4Good Index Series. This agency measures the performance of companies “that meet globally recognized corporate responsibility standards, and facilitates investment in these companies” (Levi Srauss &CO, 4). Listed companies must be working toward environmental sustainability, developing positive relationships with stakeholders, and upholding and supporting universal human rights. Due to Nike’s financial transparency and ethical standards, the company has attracted investors and customers all over the world. ***financial success of nike…conclude and move on.

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