Outsourcing Embraces Social Responsibility

June 27, 2008 on 1:58 pm | In Uncategorized |

IAOP Setting the Standards for Good Stewardship

Companies providing, using and advising on outsourcing are adhering to and advancing the highest ethical standards, contributing to communities, bettering the environment, and expanding career opportunities and training for employees.

IAOP named socially responsible outsourcing as the number one outsourcing trend for 2008 and is focusing on ways companies involved in outsourcing can become even better corporate citizens.

“As leaders in the outsourcing field, our members are always looking for ways to improve their business practices and create more value for their customers, employees and communities,” said IAOP Chairman Michael Corbett. “Socially responsible outsourcing is one way they and their organizations can significantly contribute to business and society at large.”

Socially responsible outsourcing focuses on three critical areas – people, community and the environment. The “people” component relates to employee issues such as fair pay, good working conditions and diversity, while the “community” area focuses on economic and charitable efforts, both locally and globally. The “environment” aspect relates to green practices that help reduce energy consumption and waste.

IAOP is addressing each of these areas through training programs and standards development. For employees, the association’s Training and Certification Committee takes the lead in identifying the educational needs of members and overseeing development and delivery of training programs. IAOP’s Certified Outsourcing Professional™ (COP) program offers professionals the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and education needed to design, implement and manage outsourcing initiatives. Professionals may also participate in the many informational meetings and seminars held by the various IAOP chapters around the world, as well as the annual Outsourcing World Summit®.

Community involvement and green practices are recognized by IAOP’s Advocacy and Outreach Committee’s Outsourcing Hall of Fame, which recognizes industry leaders for their positive and far-reaching contributions to business and society. Inductees have included executives from General Motors, Infosys, TPI, Capgemini, Procter & Gamble, Accenture and Applied Materials.

IAOP has been at the forefront of promoting ethical standards for the industry through its Code of Ethics and Business Practices Standards for Outsourcing Professionals, which were adopted by members in 2005. Going forward, IAOP will continue to build on its education and advocacy programs to promote socially responsible outsourcing.

IAOP recently established a Social Responsibility sub-committee of its Advocacy and Outreach Committee. The goal of the sub-committee will be to identify and promote discussion among IAOP membership of socially responsible policies and practices as well as identify policies that the membership would like IAOP to formally support. The ultimate goal of this sub-committee would be to spin off as a stand-alone chapter.

“We want companies involved with outsourcing to become known for adhering to the highest ethical standards, contributing to their communities, bettering the environment, and expanding career opportunities and training for their employees,” says Corbett. “It’s good for business, the economy and the planet.”