Shell’s statement of business principles (Shell 1998: 24): Principle 6, on health, safety and the environment (HSE).Consistent with their commitment to contribute to sustainable development, Shell companies have a systematic approach to health, safety and environmental management in order to achieve continuous performance improvement . . . Shell companies manage these matters as any other critical business activity, set targets for improvement, and measure, appraise and report performance:

• Every Shell company has adopted this policy and procedures.

• Over 90 companies have HSE management systems in place.The target is for all Shell companies to have such systems installed by the end of 1999.

• Independent auditors will check adoption of the HSE policy and procedures.

a Why might Shell disclose its business principles to the public?

b Identify the main concepts included by Shell in the above statement of business principles. Design a principle for your own organisation, or an organisation of your choice, that incorporates all of these concepts.