While the technological capabilities and impact of artificial intelligence (AI) has brought significant change to multiple facets of business and even society, the core of AI is still machines, not humans. And while these machines can learn, they cannot discern right from wrong—unless we deliberately step in to add an ethical dimension to AI. Where […]
Subject: Sustainable Development
Stakeholder Pressure Leads to Significant Environmental Strategy Adoption
GHG-intensive firms in the energy and industrial sectors are the source of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions recognized as the major cause of climate change. Not surprisingly, these firms are under pressure, notably from stakeholders and regulatory agencies, to reduce GHG emissions. Does this pressure have an impact on the environmental-friendly efforts and strategies of […]
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Doing Good’ Does Not Always Improve the Bottom Line
In their research, Afshin Mehrpouya of HEC Paris and Imran Chowdhury of Pace University explore the mechanisms, and importantly the assumptions behind the mechanisms, involved in transforming social responsibility (CSR) into financial performance (CFP). A closer look at those assumptions reveals why socially responsible behaviour is not always reflected in better financial results. They first […]
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How to Fight Off an Upstart with a New Business Model
The appearance of a new competitor with a new business model can disrupt an industry and knock down a once dominant incumbent. A classic example of this type of disruptive competitor is Netflix, which entered the movie rental industry with a brand new business model (first DVDs through the mail, later streaming videos), and put […]
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Sustainable Manufacturing Part 2: Five Pathways
In 2015, Coca-Cola Enterprises Great Britain and Cranfield University collaborated to launch a project on ‘Sustainable Manufacturing for the Future.’ The first phase of the project was a roundtable discussion that led to six themes: People, Big Data, Technology, Collaboration, Value and Resilience. This phase is covered in Idea 652. Once the themes were identified, […]
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Sustainable Manufacturing Part 1: People, Technology and Collaboration
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) represented a first step in recognizing that business had a societal role to play that extended beyond simply making a profit. Today, the thinking has evolved from the ‘doing good’ mindset of CSR to a ‘doing what is necessary’ mindset embodied in the concept of ‘sustainability.’ Sustainability — the ambition to […]
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Sustainability-driven Hybrid Companies Challenge Business Dogma
Corporate sustainability has become mainstream. Few companies would argue today – as they argued in the past – that the only responsibility companies have to society is to make a profit. Today, corporations proudly describe their social responsibility initiatives. Nardia Haigh of the School of Business at University of Massachusetts, Boston and Andrew Hoffman of […]
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Crisis Communication: Emphasize the Positive
Some people are motivated by growth goals — goals that reflect aspirations and ambitions. In psychological terms, these people are promotion-oriented. In contrast, prevention-oriented people are motivated by goals that stress responsibility and safety. The word ‘prevention’ is used since their motivation is often framed by something they want to avoid. For example, prevention-oriented people […]
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Collaborate with Suppliers to Ensure Green Practices in the Supply Chain
Many companies recognize the reputational risk of the environmental reputation of their suppliers. As a result, companies launch green supply chain management (GSCM) initiatives, working with suppliers to ensure that their activities and processes are environmentally friendly. There are two ways for companies to engage with suppliers on environmental issues. One is to monitor their […]
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How Social Movements Spark Corporate Social Responsibility Initiatives
What is the role of social movements in inspiring or sparking corporate social responsibility? To answer this question, Panayiotis Georgallis of the University of Michigan’s Erb Institute for Global Sustainable Enterprise builds on the academic research related to social movements and to corporate social responsibility, which are two distinct fields of research. Social movements are […]
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