Most companies have a policy to refuse to do business with certain countries, states or regions for social or political reasons, with 57 percent of IROs globally saying this is their company’s position. Fewer refuse to do business with other companies for such reasons while just over two in five are prepared to boycott trade with particular institutions on socio-political grounds.
European companies are the most active, with around seven in 10 being prepared to take a stand against countries, companies and institutions. While 57 percent of North American companies will refuse to trade or do business with certain countries or regions, this falls to around a third that are prepared to take a stand against either other businesses or institutions.
Asian companies are clearly the least politically engaged. Just over three in 10 will boycott trade with countries or regions, one in five won’t do business with other corporations and just 12 percent will boycott institutions for socio-political reasons.
Taking a stand against certain countries, corporations or institutions is more common at larger firms than at smaller ones.
