Kellogg Company Named One Of World’s Most Ethical Companies
Kellogg Company has been included in Ethisphere Institute’s World’s Most Ethical Companies list for the seventh time since 2007. According to Ethisphere, an independent research center promoting best practices in corporate ethics and governance, honorees understand the impact ethics has on reputation and their brand. Companies on the list not only promote ethical business standards and practices internally, they exceed legal compliance minimums and shape future industry standards by introducing best practices.
Among those best practices are reinforcing the right behaviors to safeguard the business and its consumers, customers, investors, employees and other stakeholders. In 2013, Kellogg introduced its refreshed Global Code of Ethics to the organization, and in 2014, the company continued to embed the code into its culture.
“Building on our legacy of integrity, we wanted to ensure our Global Code of Ethics incorporated all of our ‘K Values,’ which include integrity, respect, accountability, passion, humility, simplicity and driving results,” says Jim Sholl, vice president of internal audit and compliance. “In addition to recognizing our corporate ethics and governance, we’re especially proud that this year’s Ethisphere honor reaffirms our commitment to social and environmental stewardship and our philanthropic efforts.”
In 2014, Kellogg announced new global sustainability goals in responsible sourcing and the conservation of natural resources. The company also continued progressing against its hunger relief pledge to donate 1 billion servings of food through Breakfasts for Better Days™.
To determine its World’s Most Ethical list, Ethisphere scores hundreds of companies in five categories: ethics and compliance program (35%), corporate citizenship and responsibility (20%), culture of ethics (20%), governance (15%) and leadership, innovation and reputation (10%).
“A reputation is a very fragile thing,” Jim Sholl adds. “Every day, our consumers invite us into their homes and make our products a part of their daily and special eating occasions. We earn our consumers’ trust one bite at a time.”
