The Future of the Corporation

Climate change, economic inclusion, technological disruption—these are just a few of the areas where business can have a positive societal impact. This isn’t about CSR, karma, or good public relations. By embracing their ethical capacity and helping to address such challenges, companies can reduce their own risk, make their business more resilient, and improve their financial performance. Doing well by doing good is real, and its strategic implications are more important than ever before.

A Circular Solution to Plastic Waste

Plastics regeneration technologies such as pyrolysis offer economically viable ways to combat this pressing environmental challenge.

How to Cultivate a Corporate Strategy to Serve All Stakeholders

Put your company’s business to work for the greater good and for your bottom line—and both will profit immensely.

How Asset Managers Can Seize the Lead in Sustainable Investing

Investors increasingly want assets with strong environmental, social, and governance performance. Asset managers can overcome big hurdles to meet that demand by taking action in four areas.

What Companies Can Learn from World Leaders in Societal Impact

Enrich the business core with a focus on environmental, social, and governance issues. That’s how Nordic companies have become the global leaders in creating a positive impact on society.

"It’s not enough for companies to pursue societal issues as a side activity."

Total Societal Impact: A New Lens for Strategy

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Insights on Total Societal Impact from Five Industries

Companies that focus on the environmental, social, and governance issues most relevant to their industries can enjoy higher valuations and margin premiums.

How Companies—and CEOs—Can Increase TSI and TSR

The effort to increase both societal impact and shareholder returns must start at the top and then become embedded in the organization.

The Business Opportunity in Solving the World’s Big Problems

Companies need to step up. The good news is that businesses that focus on their total societal impact—not just on shareholder returns—outperform their peers.

Tackling the 1.6-Billion-Ton Food Loss and Waste Crisis

A stunning one-third of all food produced globally goes to waste—and the problem is growing. Companies that take aim at this issue can reap rewards.

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Infographic

Why Is One-Third of the World’s Food Being Lost or Wasted?

Each year, 1.6 billion tons of food goes to waste. This infographic shows what’s behind the problem—and how we can solve it.

In a Crisis, Companies Are Better Off Working Together

When disaster strikes, companies need to protect their workforce and recover operations quickly. Private-sector networks help companies connect with one another to strengthen their risk preparedness and coordinate a response.

The Case for Corporate Statesmanship

As societal challenges become too large for governments to tackle on their own, companies must intervene in support of the common good.

How Business Leaders Can Rebuild Trust and Renew the Social Contract

Leading by example, managing for profitable growth, and empowering employees are just a few ways that business leaders can fulfill their obligation to society.

2018 – A moment of truth for CEOs

If business leaders don't step up and shape a vision for shared growth and prosperity, they'll be risking their ability to evolve and to sustain the support of society.

An Agenda for the Future of Global Business

Rising income inequality is testing the case for both globalization and technological progress. Business leaders need to develop a new narrative that emphasizes equal access to economic opportunity. They have seven ways to do so.

Designing a Social Business That Benefits the Core

When designed properly, a social business subsidiary benefits not only the community it’s intended to serve but also the parent company.

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How Big Investors Can Have a Bigger Societal Impact

Institutional investors can achieve greater environmental and social benefits by engaging with the management teams of portfolio companies than by focusing on divestments and exclusions.

Institutional Investors Discover the Power of Purpose

Rather than dedicate a small slice of investments to social responsibility, some firms build purpose into their entire strategy, generating greater societal good—and higher financial returns—in the process.

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The Business of Business Is No Longer Just Business

In more predictable times, a narrow focus on business matters made sense. Today, it’s risky. Business leaders must raise their game to deal with the increasing interconnectedness of companies, economies, and societies.

"Companies must use their core business—and the scale advantages it offers—to create both positive societal impact and business benefits."

The Challenge of Converting Wealth into Well-Being

Inclusiveness—as reflected in income equality, a strong civil society, and sound governance—has a direct impact on how well countries are able to convert wealth into well-being for their people.

Saving Globalization and Technology from Themselves

The division between the winners and the losers in global integration and technological progress is polarizing societies and threatening to derail growth. Business leaders need to act.

The Economic Imperative to Revive Our Oceans

We are running down the ocean’s asset base at an alarming rate. With bold action to halt destructive practices, we can preserve the ocean’s bounty for many generations to come.

Managing the Risk and Impact of Future Epidemics

A report by the World Economic Forum, written with BCG, analyzes which aspects of the Ebola response worked well and where the effort fell short.

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How 300 Companies Integrated 2,500 Refugees into Germany’s Labor Market

The results were largely positive. What can other countries learn from Germany’s experience?

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