Developing Value

Based on more than 240 real-life
examples in over 60 countries, Developing Value is the first
large-scale study analyzing the business case for
sustainability in emerging markets, the opportunity for
businesses to achieve benefits such as higher sales, reduced
costs and lower risks from better corporate governance,
improved environmental practices, and investments in social
and economic development. It pinpoints the many
opportunities available to diverse businesses in Africa,
Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin
America. The report aims to help business people in emerging
markets, identify opportunities to increase profits, by
making progress on sustainability. It provides tools to
assess, and conduct each business case, analyzing relevancy
to emerging markets, i.e., opportunities for businesses to
achieve high sales, reduced costs, and lower risks, from
improved governance, environmental practices, and
investments in socioeconomic development. The companies
examined are ordinary businesses taking practical steps to
address issues, and, evidence shows there are compelling
reasons for action. Other specific opportunities to pursue
sustainability include building regulations, developing
human capital, and improving access to capital. All these
opportunities are documented through case studies from
Brazil, China, the Czech Republic, and South Africa. The
study further examines variations in businesses by region,
and company size, i.e., for small and medium sized
enterprises, national companies, and multinational
corporations, as well as foreign multinationals
headquartered in developed countries, in addition to
export-oriented companies, and those focused on domestic
markets. Significantly, the study presents a business
success case matrix, related to key aspects of
sustainability, and recognized business factors, discussing
practical steps towards implementation of strategies,
priorities, and monitoring. The report is a joint effort by
the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank,
SustainAbility (United Kingdom), and Ethos Institute -
Business and Social Responsibility (Brazil)