Investment Analysis Dow and Bhopal, India

To truly unlock the potential value to shareholders, chemical companies will not only have to expand their ability to create value through sustainability, they will also need to measure it at the corporate level. This is a necessary precursor to being able to explain to the investment community how sustainability is creating value. The end game would be to be able to treat these efforts as they would other strategic initiatives by explaining how they will create value, how they will measure that value, and what results to expect in the future. 

Companies that don t meet their responsibilities to all their constituencies will have a difficult time. Responsible customers won t want to buy their products. .. Enlightened communities won t want them as neighbors, and wise investors won t entrust them with their economic futures. 

While Dow claims that it has no responsibility for the incident and that it is a tragic event of the past, investors should be concerned about current developments and the possible financial ramifications that could result. Key issues include  

36The Indian Express (July 16, 2003), Government Finally Acts on Anderson s Extradition The Hindu (March 15, 2003). Centre Blamed for Delay in Anderson s Extradition Frontline Magazine (August 2-15, 2003). Request for Anderson s Extradition, Vol. 20, Issue 16. 

39Indian Business Insight (January, 2004) Sustained Growth Indian Economy to Post 1.2% Growth in 2003-2004.  

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