The 2017 RDR Corporate Accountability Index was RDR’s second Index, published in March 2017. In addition to a review and revision of the entire methodology, the RDR research team also expanded the RDR Index indicators in order to include mobile ecosystem companies such as Apple and Samsung.
2017 RDR Index Methodology Revision
In 2016, the RDR research team reviewed the raw data from the 2015 RDR Index and worked in consultation with stakeholders to revise and improve the RDR Index methodology. Research and analysis were also conducted to determine whether, and if so how, RDR could incorporate companies that produce software, devices, and networking equipment into the RDR Index methodology. This work resulted in the addition of mobile ecosystems to the 2017 RDR Index. The consultation process included the following steps:
- In July 2016, draft revisions were published for public consultation.
- The RDR team then incorporated feedback received during the public consultation phase to finalize the 2017 RDR Index methodology.
- Revisions were explained in the following documents: “Summary of Revisions,” and a table comparing the 2015 indicators to the 2017 indicators.
- The 2017 RDR Index list of companies included four new companies.
2017 RDR Index Research Process
The research and evaluation process for the 2017 Corporate Accountability Index, conducted by RDR and a team of international researchers, included the following steps:
- Step 1: Data Collection. The primary research team collected data for each company and provided a preliminary assessment of company performance across all indicators. Primary researchers also conducted an assessment of how companies performed in 2015 in comparison to 2017.
- Step 2: Secondary Review. A second team of researchers conducted a fact-check of the assessments provided by primary researchers in Step 1.
- Step 3: Review and Reconciliation. The RDR team examined the results from Steps 1 and 2, and resolved any differences that arose.
- Step 4: First Horizontal Review. The RDR team cross-checked the indicators to ensure they had been evaluated consistently for each company.
- Step 5: Company Feedback. Initial results were sent to companies for comment and feedback.
- Step 6: Second Horizontal Review. The RDR team conducted a second horizontal review, drawing on company feedback collected in Step 5, and cross-checking the indicators for consistency and quality control.
- Step 7: Final Scoring. The RDR team calculated final scores.
Note on national contexts affecting company performance: In most countries, certain laws, regulations, or political factors will either enhance or limit a company’s ability to perform well on certain indicators. Our methodology does not compensate for these factors: in other words, the RDR Index evaluates companies on what they do or don’t do, regardless of the reason. However, narrative profiles for each company include an analysis of how the company’s home jurisdiction’s legal, regulatory, and political environment may have affected its score. In some cases the reason for a company’s strong or weak performance on a given indicator will be due to the legal, regulatory, or political environment of that company’s home country. In situations where laws and regulations cause companies to perform poorly, we encourage companies to advocate for laws that enable them to fully respect users’ rights to freedom of expression and privacy by disclosing strong commitments, policies and practices.
