In order for any company to systematically drive social and environmental improvements, it is necessary to have both management support and an effective management system in place. One of the ways in which we help to build suppliers’ Social and Environmental Responsibility (SER) capabilities, is to work with them to develop their own internal Corporate Responsibility (CR) organization and embed CR within their business starting with a commitment from the top. We do this by meeting on a regular basis, helping to get management support and sharing examples of best practice from Nokia’s own operations or from other case studies.

In 2007 we initiated a cross-commodity development program with Foxconn (See A supplier’s view), a global contract manufacturer and component supplier based in Taiwan. We helped the company set up a corporate CR structure connected to business units, and to define a corporate CR commitment. Nokia has been working with Foxconn for a number of years, meeting regularly to share best practice.

Since 2007 we have expanded this work and for the latest information please refer to Progress and targets. Although the suppliers are at different levels in their CR journey and organized in different ways, the objectives have been similar; to ensure they commit to and implement effective CR programs, targets, monitoring practices and reporting.