GRI Index
National Instruments used the GRI Sustainability Reporting Guidelines (G3) to prepare its corporate responsibility report. NI self-declares this report at GRI Application Level B.
Refer to the following tables to locate a specific GRI disclosure or indicator in the report.
Legend
 |
Reported |
 |
Partially reported |
Standard Profile Disclosures
- Strategy and Analysis
- Organizational Profile
- Report Parameters
- Governance, Commitments, and Engagement
| Indicator | Description | 2012 Report | Response or Link | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Strategy and Analysis | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.1 | Statement from the most senior decision maker of the organization | |
Statement from the CEO | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 1.2 | Description of key impacts, risks, and opportunities | |
NI Approach to Corporate Responsibility; 2012 Performance Summary; PDF Report - Corporate Responsibility Challenges and Opportunities. For information about financial risk factors, refer to the Risk Factors section in Form 10-K of the Annual Report. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Organizational Profile | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.1 | Name of the organization | |
National Instruments Corporation | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.2 | Primary brands, products, and/or services | |
Flagship NI Products; Annual Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.3 | Operational structure of the organization | |
Annual Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.4 | Location of organization’s headquarters | |
Austin, Texas, USA | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.5 | Number and names of countries where the organization operates | |
ni.com/niglobal | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.6 | Nature of ownership and legal form | |
Annual Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.7 | Markets served | |
Annual Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.8 | Scale of the reporting organization | |
Annual Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.9 | Significant changes during the reporting period | |
Annual Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 2.10 | Awards received in the reporting period | |
Awards | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Report Parameters | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.1 | Reporting period for information provided | |
Fiscal year 2012, which ended December 31, 2012 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.2 | Date of most recent previous report (if any) | |
Fiscal year 2011, which ended December 31, 2011 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.3 | Reporting cycle | |
Annual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.4 | Contact point for questions regarding the report or its contents | |
Please submit all questions about this report here. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.5 | Process for defining report content | |
PDF Report - Stakeholder Engagement; PDF Report - Corporate Responsibility Challenges and Opportunities; NI Approach to Corporate Responsibility | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.6 | Boundary of the report | |
Comprehensive data for all NI operations was not available. Unless otherwise noted, data presented in this report applies only to NI corporate headquarters in Austin, Texas. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.7 | State any specific limitations on the scope or boundary of the report | |
Gathering additional data from all NI operations for future reports is an ongoing process, and NI will provide that data in future reports as it becomes available. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.8 | Basis for reporting on joint ventures, subsidiaries, leased facilities, outsourced operations, and other entities | |
This report does not include data on joint ventures, subsidiaries, leased facilities, or outsourced operations, unless otherwise noted. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.9 | Data measurement techniques and the bases of calculations, including assumptions and techniques underlying estimations applied to the compilation of the indicators and other information in the report | |
NI captures data from its relevant organizational units as well as third parties such as energy providers. Where only estimates of data were available, that fact is noted along with the data. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.10 | Explanation of the effect of any restatements of information provided in earlier reports | |
PDF Report - Restatements | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.11 | Significant changes from previous reporting periods in the scope, boundary, or measurement methods applied in the report | |
None | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.12 | Table identifying the location of the Standard Disclosures in the report | |
GRI Index | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 3.13 | Policy and current practice with regard to seeking external assurance for the report | |
NI did not seek external assurance for this report for the 2012 reporting period. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Governance, Commitments, and Engagement | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.1 | Governance structure of the organization | |
Corporate Governance | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.2 | Indicate whether the Chair of the highest governance body is also an executive officer | |
Yes, positions of Chairman, President, and CEO are held by Dr. James Truchard. For more information, please visit Corporate Governance. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.3 | State the number of members of the highest governance body that are independent and/or nonexecutive members | |
Five. For more information, please visit Corporate Governance. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.4 | Mechanisms for shareholders and employees to provide recommendations or direction to the highest governance body |  |
Code of Ethics; Proxy Statement; PDF Report - Stakeholder Engagement | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.5 | Linkage between compensation for members of the highest governance body, senior managers, and executives, and the organization’s performance | |
NI believes that a significant portion of its executives’ total compensation should be directly linked to achieving specified financial objectives that NI thinks will create stockholder value. Under an annual incentive cash bonus program, executives receive payments based on the achievement of NI business goals approved by the NI board. In addition, all regular full-time and part-time employees, including executives, participate in a company performance bonus program. For employees to receive the maximum payout under this program, NI must achieve predetermined goals for revenue growth and profitability. NI also uses stock-based equity compensation to incentivize a large number of its regular, full-time, and exempt employees, including executives. Refer to the Executive Compensation section of the Proxy Statement for more information about the NI approach toward compensation as well as specific business goals under the annual incentive program. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.6 | Processes in place for the highest governance body to ensure conflicts of interest are avoided | |
Proxy Statement, Certain Relationships and Related Transactions section | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.7 | Process for determining the qualifications and expertise of the members of the highest governance body for guiding the organization’s strategy on economic, environmental, and social topics | |
Charter for the Nomination and Governance Committee of the NI Board of Directors; Proxy Statement, Corporate Governance section | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.8 | Internally developed statements of mission or values, codes of conduct, and principles relevant to economic, environmental, and social performance and the status of their implementation | |
PDF Report - NI Culture and Stakeholder Engagement | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.9 | Procedures of the highest governance body for overseeing the organization’s identification and management of economic, environmental, and social performance, including relevant risks and opportunities, and adherence or compliance with internationally agreed standards, codes of conduct, and principles | |
PDF Report - Corporate Responsibility Challenges and Opportunities; PDF Report - Management Approach Disclosures; NI Approach to Corporate Responsibility | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.10 | Processes for evaluating the highest governance body’s own performance, particularly with respect to economic, environmental, and social performance | |
Charter for the Audit Committee of the NI Board of Directors | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.11 | Explanation of whether and how the precautionary approach or principle is addressed by the organization | |
NI has not explicitly addressed the precautionary approach. However, two of the three NI manufacturing facilities—one in Austin, Texas, and one in Debrecen, Hungary—are certified to ISO 14001 standards, which NI uses to proactively identify where its activities have an environmental impact. In 2013, NI will seek certification for its newest manufacturing facility in Penang, Malaysia. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.12 | Externally developed economic, environmental, and social charters, principles, or other initiatives to which the organization subscribes or endorses | |
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.13 | Memberships in associations (such as industry associations) and/or national/international advocacy organizations | |
NI is a member of the following organizations and standards bodies. For 2012, NI focused on gathering a list of memberships at its corporate headquarters. NI will provide additional global data in future reports as it becomes available.
|
||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.14 | List of stakeholder groups engaged by the organization | |
NI Culture and Stakeholder Engagement | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.15 | Basis for identification and selection of stakeholders with whom to engage | |
NI has identified four key stakeholders - employees, shareholders, suppliers, and customers - as critical to the success of the company. NI takes these stakeholders into consideration when making decisions. Learn more in the NI Culture and Stakeholder Engagement section. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.16 | Approaches to stakeholder engagement, including frequency of engagement by type and by stakeholder group | |
PDF Report - Stakeholder Engagement | ||||||||||||||||||||
| 4.17 | Key topics and concerns that have been raised through stakeholder engagement, and how the organization has responded to those key topics and concerns, including through its reporting | |
NI Culture and Stakeholder Engagement | ||||||||||||||||||||
Performance Indicators
| Indicator | Description | 2012 Report | Response or Link | ||||||||||||||||||
| Economic | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure on Management Approach | A concise disclosure with reference to the following economic aspects:
|
|
PDF Report - Management Approach Disclosures | ||||||||||||||||||
| EC1 | Economic value generated and distributed | |
PDF Report - Financial Information | ||||||||||||||||||
| EC3 | Coverage of the organization’s defined benefit plan obligations | |
Employee Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||
| Environmental | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure on Management Approach |
A concise disclosure with reference to the following environmental aspects:
|
|
PDF Report - Management Approach Disclosures | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN1 | Materials used by weight or volume | |
Product Design and Packaging | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN3 | Direct energy consumption by primary energy source | |
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Emissions | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN4 | Indirect energy consumption by primary source | |
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Emissions. For purchased electricity, the corresponding primary energy consumed in production is not available. | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN5 | Energy saved due to conservation and efficiency improvements | |
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Emissions; Employees Driving Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN7 | Initiatives to reduce indirect energy consumption and reductions achieved | |
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Emissions; Employees Driving Change | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN8 | Total water withdrawal by source | |
Water Usage, Recycling, and Waste Reduction | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN10 | Percentage and total volume of water recycled and reused | |
NI does not recycle or reuse water at its corporate headquarters or NI Hungary. | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN13 | Habitats protected or restored | |
Approximately 63 percent, or 16.6 hectares, of the NI corporate headquarters campus remains in its original state with a healthy functioning ecosystem and is protected from any harm during operational activities. For more information about this campus, refer to the Water Usage, Recycling, and Waste Reduction section of this report. | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN16 | Total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions by weight | |
Electricity, Natural Gas, and Emissions | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN22 | Total weight of waste by type and disposal method | |
Water Usage, Recycling, and Waste Reduction | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN23 | Total number and volume of significant spills | |
No hazardous spills occurred at either NI manufacturing facility. | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN26 | Initiatives to mitigate environmental impacts of products and services, and extent of impact mitigation | |
Product Life Cycle | ||||||||||||||||||
| EN28 | Monetary value of significant fines and total number of nonmonetary sanctions for noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations | |
No fines or sanctions were incurred for noncompliance with environmental laws and regulations at either NI manufacturing facility. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Social | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Labor Practices and Decent Work | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure on Management Approach | A concise disclosure with reference to the following labor aspects:
|
|
PDF Report - Management Approach Disclosures | ||||||||||||||||||
| LA1 | Total workforce by employment type, employment contract, and region | |
Recruit and Retain Employees | ||||||||||||||||||
| LA2 | Total number and rate of employee turnover by age group, gender, and region | |
Recruit and Retain Employees | ||||||||||||||||||
| LA7 | Rates of injury, occupational diseases, lost days, and absenteeism, and number of work-related fatalities by region | |
Employee Benefits | ||||||||||||||||||
| LA10 | Average hours of training per year per employee by employee category | |
Develop Rewarding Careers | ||||||||||||||||||
| LA11 | Programs for skills management and lifelong learning that support the continued employability of employees and assist them in managing career endings | |
Develop Rewarding Careers NI does not offer paid educational leave or sabbaticals as an employee benefit. NI offers the following transition assistance programs for employees who are retiring or who have been terminated.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| LA12 | Percentage of employees receiving regular performance and career development reviews | |
Develop Rewarding Careers | ||||||||||||||||||
| LA13 | Composition of governance bodies and breakdown of employees per category according to gender, age group, minority group membership, and other indicators of diversity | |
Recruit and Retain Employees | ||||||||||||||||||
| Human Rights | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure on Management Approach | A concise disclosure with reference to the following human rights aspects:
|
|
PDF Report - Management Approach Disclosures | ||||||||||||||||||
| HR2 | Percentage of significant suppliers and contractors that have undergone screening on human rights and actions taken | |
65 percent of suppliers have undergone this screening, and no actions have resulted from the screening. For more information about supplier screening, refer to the Operations and Product Recycling section of this report. | ||||||||||||||||||
| HR6 | Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of child labor, and measures taken to contribute to the elimination of child labor | |
NI has not identified any operations with significant risk for incidents of child labor of young workers exposed to hazardous work. NI does not and will not use child labor. The term “child” refers to any employed person under the age of 16, under the age for completing compulsory education, or under the minimum age for employment in the country, whichever is greatest. NI supports the use of legitimate workplace apprenticeship, internship, and similar programs that comply with all laws and regulations applicable to such programs. | ||||||||||||||||||
| HR7 | Operations identified as having significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor, and measures to contribute to the elimination of forced or compulsory labor | |
NI has not identified any operations with significant risk for incidents of forced or compulsory labor. NI does not and will not use forced or involuntary labor of any type, including but not limited to forced, bonded, indentured, or involuntary prison labor. Employment is voluntary. | ||||||||||||||||||
| Society | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure on Management Approach | A concise disclosure with reference to the following society aspects:
|
|
PDF Report - Management Approach Disclosures | ||||||||||||||||||
| SO3 | Percentage of employees trained in organization’s anticorruption policies and procedures | |
Employee Communications | ||||||||||||||||||
| Product Responsibility | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Disclosure on Management Approach | A concise disclosure with reference to the following product responsibility aspects:
|
|
PDF Report - Management Approach Disclosures | ||||||||||||||||||
| PR1 | Life cycle stages in which health and safety impacts of products and services are assessed for improvement, and percentage of significant products and services categories subject to such procedures | |
NI assesses the health and safety impacts of products and services for improvement during the following life cycle stages.
|
||||||||||||||||||
| PR5 | Practices related to customer satisfaction, including results of surveys measuring customer satisfaction | |
PDF Report - Measuring NI Customer Satisfaction | ||||||||||||||||||
It's not what we make, it's what we make possible.
NI is a global leader in providing test, measurement, and embedded systems for engineers and scientists.
We were voted...
Privacy | Terms of Use | Other Legal Info | © 2013 National Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.