Case study: How ACT promotes ethical business practices
Aqaba Container Terminal (ACT) is the gateway for import and export cargo trading between the Levant region and the rest of the world, and the logistical and economic backbone of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA). Solid ethical business practices are the foundation of ACT’s business success. Tweet This!
This case study is based on the 2019 Sustainability Report by ACT published on the Global Reporting Initiative Sustainability Disclosure Database that can be found at this link. Through all case studies we aim to demonstrate what CSR/ ESG/ sustainability reporting done responsibly means. Essentially, it means: a) identifying a company’s most important impacts on the environment, economy and society, and b) measuring, managing and changing.
Abstract
ACT has adopted transparent, structured, and monitored reporting and governance systems to prevent corruption, fraud, and illegal actions. In order to promote ethical business practices ACT took action to:
- promote business ethics and compliance
- encourage employees to raise concerns
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With this case study you will see:
- Which are the most important impacts (material issues) ACT has identified;
- How ACT proceeded with stakeholder engagement, and
- What actions were taken by ACT to promote ethical business practices
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What are the material issues the company has identified?
In its 2019 Sustainability Report ACT identified a range of material issues, such as customer satisfaction, safety and security, labour rights and relations, operational efficiency and performance. Among these, promoting ethical business practices stands out as a key material issue for ACT.
Stakeholder engagement in accordance with the GRI Standards
The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) defines the Principle of Stakeholder Inclusiveness when identifying material issues (or a company’s most important impacts) as follows:
Stakeholders must be consulted in the process of identifying a company’s most important impacts and their reasonable expectations and interests must be taken into account. This is an important cornerstone for CSR / sustainability reporting done responsibly.
Key stakeholder groups ACT engages with:
To identify and prioritise material topics ACT engaged with its stakeholders through the following channels:
| Stakeholder Group | Method of engagement |
| Customers (shipping lines, clearance and trucking companies, end-users and consignees)
| · Web-based communication system · Trade missions · Customer satisfaction surveys · Annual sustainability report · Website |
| Employees
| · Direct meetings · Intranet · Engagement workshops · Team buildings · Annual sustainability report · Website · ACT TV · Volunteering activities |
| Community (Local community, suppliers, Union)
| · Direct communication · Participation in events · Annual sustainability report · Website · CSR Committee and man hours |
| Shareholders (APM, ADC) | · Sustainability report · Website |
| Government and Regulators (ASEZA, Customs) | · Direct communication · Meetings · Annual sustainability report · Website |
| Media
| · Press Releases · Press conferences · ACT’s website · CSR activities · Tours inside the terminal · Invitation for the major events that ACT is launching · Keep in touch with the CEO on desk interview |
What actions were taken by ACT to promote ethical business practices?
In its 2019 Sustainability Report ACT reports that it took the following actions for promoting ethical business practices:
- Promoting business ethics and compliance
- ACT’s Code of Conduct gives guidance and provides resources to make sure everyone working at ACT performs work with the highest standards of ethics. At ACT, business compliance is a top priority. Accordingly, in 2019, ACT participated in the annual Business Compliance Ambassadors (BCAs) workshop which focused on anti-corruption, foreign trade control, third party management and competition law. During this workshop ACT learned from its peers and shared experiences, drawing inspiration from international best practices. ACT was also among the official organisations supporting the 2019 International Fraud Awareness Week, contributing to minimise the risk of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness campaigns.
- Encouraging employees to raise concerns
- ACT’s internal anonymous whistleblowing system enables its employees to report any cases of suspected illegal activities, including but not limited to fraud, corruption, insider-trading, competition law breaches, foreign trade controls violations, deliberate breaches of security, harassment, and discrimination. Additionally, ACT has a “contact us” webpage for external stakeholders to submit concerns. The ACT customer service desk addresses the issues and sends a follow-up email to the person who shared their feedback. In 2019, 100% of the issues raised through the system were resolved.
Which GRI Standards and corresponding Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have been addressed?
The GRI Standard addressed in this case is: Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures
Disclosure 205-2 Communication and training about anti-corruption policies and procedures corresponds to:
- Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
- Targets: 16.5
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References:
1) This case study is based on published information by ACT, located at the link below. For the sake of readability, we did not use brackets or ellipses. However, we made sure that the extra or missing words did not change the report’s meaning. If you would like to quote these written sources from the original, please revert to the original on the Global Reporting Initiative’s Sustainability Disclosure Database at the link:
http://database.globalreporting.org/
2) https://www.globalreporting.org/standards/gri-standards-download-center/
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