2008 Nationwide Survey Members of Boards of Directors Attitudes & Awareness:

2008Nationwide Survey

Members of Boards of Directors

Attitudes & Awareness:Campaign Finance Laws,

Corporate Oversight of Political Spending and Activity&

Proposed Reform

Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research

CENTERFOR POLITICALACCOUNTABILITY

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Mason-Dixon Polling & Research 2

Research Objectives

To document, measure and better understand;

• Level of political activity of board members

• The perceived importance and impact of corporate political activity

• Level of familiarity and knowledge of campaign finance laws as they

relate to corporations.

• Internal reporting & processes related to corporate political activity

• Perceived level of risk associated with corporate political activity

• Degree of support for specific reform proposals regarding disclosure and

board oversight of corporate political activity


Methodology

• A total of 255 members of boards of directors of Russell 2000 companies were interviewed by telephone.

• Interviews were conducted between February 4 – 15, 2008.

• Margin of error is 6%.

• 57% were internal/management board members, 43% independent/outside.

• Employed several batteries of ‘Likert Scale’ questions to measure both attitude and intensity.


Findings


Level of Political Activity

of

Boards of Directors


Political Activity by Boards of Directors

AdvocacyFundraisingChanges in level of involvement


Pressure to Contribute?

(not so much)


Importance & Impact of Corporate Political Advocacy & Fundraising


The Imperative of Corporate Political Activity (?)


Impact of Political Advocacy & Spending by Companies


Familiarity & Tested Knowledge of

Campaign Finance Law Relating to Corporations


Familiarity with Campaign Finance Laws & Own Company Political Activities


Knowledge of Current Campaign Finance Laws Relating to Corporations & Trade Associations

CORP. REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE ALL POLITICAL SPENDING

PERCENTAGE NOT KNOWING CURRENT LAWS

TRADE ASSOC. REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE MEMBERSHIP AND CANDIDATES & ORG. THAT BENEFIT FROM POLITICAL EXPENDITURES

501c4s REQUIRED TO DISCLOSE MEMBERSHIP AND CANDIDATES & ORG. THAT BENEFIT FROM POLITICAL EXPENDITURES

BOARDS REQUIRED TO APPROVE & OVERSEE POLITICAL EXPENDITURES


Current Internal Reporting & Processes Relatedto Corporate Political Activity

Confidence with their own company’s policies and oversightCode of conduct or other policies to govern political activityCompany provides directors with reports on political spending


Attitudes about Corporate Political Activity & Risk

Legal risk & risk to reputationImpact of recent corporate scandalsNecessity of reform


Support for Specific Reform Proposals

Disclosure of Contributions


Support for Specific Reform Proposals

Oversight & Process


The Burden & Cost of Reform

(again, not so much)

2008Nationwide Survey

Members of Boards of Directors

Attitudes & Awareness:Campaign Finance Laws,

Corporate Oversight of Political Spending and Activity&

Proposed Reform

Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research

CENTERFOR POLITICALACCOUNTABILITY

QuickTime™ and a decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

2008 Nationwide Survey Members of Boards of Directors Attitudes & Awareness:

Documents

Transcript of 2008 Nationwide Survey Members of Boards of Directors Attitudes & Awareness: