Corporate Compliance with the Sullivan Principles

Abstract

The working of the Sullivan Principles in South Africa can be analyzed along two dimensions. The first relates to the Principles themselves: their content; their evolution and modification; their underlying rationale and social and moral import; and the goals they were designed to achieve. These questions were central in motivating us to write this book. In the current chapter, however, we focus on the second dimension of the working of the Principles. To wit, we consider the manner in which the Sullivan Principles were operationalized and implemented in South Africa. In particular, we examine the criteria by which projects were selected and managed, and the standards and processes that were created for monitoring and evaluating performance. We also attempt to evaluate operational efficiency, the achievement of goals (as measured by the auditing and monitoring instruments used in the process), and the impact the companies’ efforts when seen from the perspectives of the recipient groups.