A new study shows that Wal-Mart tops lists of companies seen as most socially responsible-and least socially responsible.
According to the BBMG Conscious Consumer Report, when asked unaided which companies come to mind as the most socially or environmentally responsible companies, 7% of Americans named Wal-Mart, followed by Johnson & Johnson (6%), Procter & Gamble (4%), GE (4%) and Whole Foods (3%). Wal-Mart also topped the list of the least responsible companies (9%), along with Exxon Mobil (9%), GM (3%) and Ford (3%), Shell (2%) and McDonald's (2%). The report adds 41% of Americans could not name a single company that they consider the most socially and environmentally responsible.
The report also found that that 77% of Americans agree that they "can make a positive difference by purchasing products from socially or environmentally responsible companies." However, 23% say they have "no way of knowing" if a product is green or actually does what it claims.
The BBMG Conscious Consumer Report explores the attitudes, preferences, values and experiences that shape consumer purchasing behavior, brand loyalty and peer-to-peer influence. Conducted by BBMG, in conjunction with research partners Global Strategy Group and Bagatto, the report combines ethnographic research in two U.S. markets (conducted in January and February 2009) with a national survey of 2,000 adults (conducted October 26 - November 6, 2008). The survey margin of error is +/- 2.2 percentage points.