A Responsible Company Reports and Listens

​Anne Brunila, Executive Vice President, Corporate Relations and Strategy, Fortum Oyj, spoke on corporate social responsibility in a listed company in which the state has a dominant interest.

 

‒ A large company owned mostly by the state is expected to take greater social responsibility, she stated.

 

Brunila explained that, in Fortum, notions of responsibility are concretised in sustainable development, which can be measured by several international standards and criteria. Brunila underlined the importance of transparent reporting and external audits, reminding the audience that a company can regulate its operations beyond legislative requirements.

Minister for International Development Heidi Hautala addressed the seminar audience on corporate social responsibility in the state's ownership policy-related decision-making. According to Hautala, state ownership steering can influence companies by setting an example.

 

Hautala also emphasised the significance of transparency and reporting, and drew attention to the importance of listening in order to foresee what will be of interest to citizens.

 

‒ Those things which a company has not bothered to publicise are systematically brought to the fore.

 

This corporate competitiveness, social responsibility and state ownership steering-themed seminar, held at Turku School of Economics on Friday 27 April, was opened by Satu Lähteenmäki, Director of Turku School of Economics. In addition to the keynote speakers, panel discussion participants included Maritime Counsellor Hans Langh, Professor Matti J. Sillanpää and University Teacher Salla Laasonen. The seminar was led by Jari Lähteenmäki, Managing Director of Turku Chamber of Commerce.