The Foundation for Public Affairs, the Council's nonprofit research affiliate, released "Opening Up: the Role of Transparency in Corporate Public Affairs" in late 2009. This groundbreaking study examines the forces creating a new focus on corporate transparency - and how leading companies are demonstrating transparency in their own organizations.

"Transparency" has become a popular buzzword in corporate public affairs. Scandals involving Enron, Worldcom and others, greater scrutiny of global supply chains at companies such as Nike and McDonald's and the Obama administration's focus on political transparency have all put pressure on companies to be more open about their operations, activities and political involvement. According to Edelman's Trust Barometer released in January 2009, the percentage of U.S. respondents who trust business to "do what is right" fell to 38 percent, from 58 percent one year before. While a mid-year study indicated this percentage had risen to 48 percent, these findings are a clear indicator that American companies need to build greater credibility with their key stakeholders.

Traditional standards of financial openness are no longer enough. As a June 2009 article in the Harvard Business Review noted, "(w)hen we speak of ‘transparency,' we mean much more than the standard definition of the term - full disclosure of financial information for investors. While such honesty is obviously necessary... we define transparency broadly, as the degree to which information flows freely within an organization, among managers and employees, and outward to stakeholders."

"Opening Up" draws from interviews with nearly 30 public affairs practitioners and experts at companies such as Symantec, BP, Target, Verizon and Cisco Systems. These experts explain how they have successfully promoted greater operational, political and other transparency in their organizations. It is a valuable addition to the Foundation's library on public affairs management.

"Opening Up" is available as a free download and in hard copy.

Click here to access the report in electronic format (PDF).

Click here to order a hard copy. (A discount for multiple orders is available.)

Staff Contact

Patrick Corcoran
Research Consultant
202.721.0917 | email