In an in-depth survey, fielded by Edelman, the Corporate Social Responsibility Initiative of Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, and Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum, of a sample of Fortune 500 companies, global NGOs, investors and the media, about the roles and responsibilities for business in international development, companies and NGOs agreed that corruption in poor countries is the greatest obstacle to companies deciding to enter these markets. There was also general consensus on the need for innovative partnerships when doing business in developing countries, however there were differing perspectives on other key questions of priorities, roles and desired outcomes.
Key findings of the survey, Business and International Development: Opportunities, Responsibilities and Expectations, include: Mixed Awareness and understanding of the Millennium Development Goals among many companies and how the MDGs relate to business; Africa Least Likely To Attract Investment, Most In Need Of It. Released on September 15, 2005.