Academics and executives join forces on sustainability research
A novel approach breaks down barriers between business schools and commerce.
ESG backlash in the US: what implications for corporations and investors?
Republicans’ pushback against ethical investing is hitting sentiment elsewhere.
Does OpenAI’s Non-Profit Ownership Structure Actually Matter?
There is little evidence to show that OpenAI's non-profit ownership structure influences OpenAI's operations.
Elon Musk And AI Leaders Call For GPT-4 To Pause: Is It About Managing Risks Or Catching Up In The AI Race?
Many of the "unelected tech leaders" who asked for AI and GPT-4 to be paused may be simply looking to catch up on the AI arms race. The risks with AI will not be managed by pausing AI, but by better leadership practices, such as transparency and inclusion.
How Microsoft’s Approach To Teams Is Helping It Stay Ahead Of The Competition
Microsoft’s partnership with OpenAI, once again demonstrates its ability to navigate an intensely competitive environment. How does Microcoft survive competitive threats and even leapfrog ahead in a rapidly changing technology industry? One key factor may be its use of X-teams.
The Antidote To Staff Burnout – It’s Not What You Might Expect
Pandemic instability has many people retreating to their home offices. But, this is aggravating burnout. One expert says that this is exactly why employees need to return to work.
What Do Elon Musk And Jack Welch Have In Common? Hint: It’s Not Their Ability To Create Shareholder Value
Elon Musk’s first week at the helm of Twitter mirrors Jack Welch’s approach to capitalism. Musk’s approach to cutting executives and employees is a gut reaction to cut costs. Such tactics did not build enduring wealth for GE, and are even less likely to do so now for Twitter.
Chouinard’s Donation Of Patagonia Is Big And Bold, But Not New
Yvon Chouinard, founder and majority owner of Patagonia, dominated the headlines last week for doing something that no other billionaire has: donating almost all his wealth at once. His move is bold, but not entirely new.
Billionaire Philanthropy: Why Warren Buffett, Jeff Bezos, And Elon Musk Have It Wrong
Warren Buffett has said his business investments need to create shareholder value, and social and political concerns should be left in the hands of individuals. Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk seem to think the same way. This approach to business may have made sense in the 1970s, but it is now old school.
How Microsoft Is Leading The Response To The Climate Crisis
Even though most multinationals have committed to net zero, they won't avert the climate crisis. More companies need to follow the likes of Microsoft and Shopify, who have announced bold plans to become carbon negative.
Corporate Purpose Should Guide Your Company’s Position On The War On Ukraine
The public outcry over the Russian invasion of Ukraine has compelled many companies to respond with bold statements. More than ever before, companies are being asked to speak up and step up. A companies purpose should guide their statements and actions.
When Taking A Stand On Divisive Issues, It’s Important To Reinforce The Corporation’s Purpose
When Shopify’s founder and CEO, Tobi Lütke, found himself caught in a divisive issue, he didn't stay silent. He leaned in, took a side, and reinforced the company's purpose.
How A Strong Corporate Purpose Leads To Long-Term Profits: An Interview With The ‘Father Of CSR’
The myopic focus of companies on profits has been criticized in recent years. Mads Øvlisen, the former CEO of Novo Nordisk, explains how the pursuit of a corporate purpose beyond short-term profits, can actually lead to higher long-term profits.
What Happens To Returned Holiday Gifts?
So many of us receive holiday gifts we don’t want or need. We routinely return them, but where do they go? A new class of companies offers solutions that are both lucrative and sustainable
Walmart Appears To Be Greener Than Costco. But Is It Really?
Walmart has made some pretty major commitments to reducing its environmental impact. Costco has not. Does this mean that Costco is simply not committed to sustainability?
Big Business Should Be At The COP26 Table
The largest companies have moved faster than governments in committing to ambitious carbon targets. Maybe COP26 should be targeting business leaders as well as government leaders.
What Succession’s Logan Roy Could Learn From The Danes
A European model of corporate ownership could be the solution for divisive leadership struggles within family-owned firms.
Has COVID-19 Killed The Four-Day Work Week?
A four-day work week is better for workers, business and society. Yet, COVID-19 has made it more elusive than ever. The companies that can buck this trend may just come out ahead as countries emerge from the pandemic.
Seeking Net Zero? You Should Know Not All Carbon Offsets Are The Same
Amid calls to reduce their companies’ carbon footprints, business leaders are looking to buy carbon offsets. However, not all offsets are the same.
What The United Nation’s IPCC Report Means To Business
The IPCC has sent a “code red” to policy makers with its latest report on climate change. But it’s business leaders, not policy makers, who can act most swiftly and effectively. Here’s how.
Retailers’ Dirty Secret: Emissions In Shipping Freight
Retailers are touting their ambitious emissions targets. Yet just getting their products across the ocean creates more greenhouse-gas emissions than all 2 billion of America’s cars and truck combined. Retailers (and manufacturers) can expect to face increasing pressures to monitor and manage their maritime freight emissions.
What You Didn’t Know About Electric Vehicles: The Hidden Costs To You And The Environment
If you think electric cars are “greener” than conventional ones, you’re not alone. But there’s an untold part to this story—and it’s not about the batteries. It’s about electric-car makers holding onto the exclusive right to repair their vehicles. This means hidden costs not only to you, but to the environment.
What Business Leaders Can Learn From An Indigenous Worldview
In May 2021, 215 Indigenous children were found buried in an unmarked grave at a Canadian residential school. This moment has catalyzed Canadians to recognize the systematic silencing and displacement of Indigenous people. It is time for all people, including business leaders, to recognize the voice and worldviews of Indigenous people worldwide.
Big Oil Under Fire: Climate Activists Win Big Against Exxon And Shell
Big oil companies can no longer hide behind empty rhetoric about climate commitments. An upstart hedge fund convinced major shareholders to challenge Exxon and an alliance of environmental groups scored a major court victory against Shell.
How Green Is Tesla, Really?
On May 13, Elon Musk said Tesla would no longer accept bitcoin because of bitcoin’s heavy energy consumption. Yet the company ranks well behind General Motors and Ford in reporting carbon emissions and setting carbon-reduction targets. So how green is Tesla, really?
It’s Time For Big Pharma To Waive Their Patents On COVID-19 Vaccines
At a time when societies are being ravaged by a pandemic that knows no boundaries and is mutating more dangerously over time, COVID-19 vaccine manufacturers are being given a chance to support the Biden administration and developing countries by waiving their patents. There has never been a more clear opportunity for public and private organizations to solve a problem together.
The Future Of Shipping - Wind Power
When the tanker Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal, the world’s attention focused on the risks and environmental costs of the shipping industry. The French company Neoline is poised to offer an innovative solution by moving freight by wind. It shows that smaller can indeed be better.
3 Ways To Tell A Company Is Serious About Their Carbon Commitments
Corporations have jumped on the net zero carbon bandwagon. Most of these plans read like facts, others like fiction. Here are 3 lessons from Apple and Microsoft’s commitments to assess their credibility.
Do Hedge Funds Create Value? 3 Lessons From Danone And Unilever
Emmanuel Faber’s forced departure from Danone should raise some serious questions not about the CEO or Danone, but about activist hedge funds. Hedge funds have been shown to target firms committed to social responsibility and erode long-term value.
Why Is J&J’s COVID-19 Vaccine So Cheap?
J&J says they wanted to offer an affordable vaccine because of concern for public health. There is little evidence to support this case.
How Business Students Can Change Business for Good
Business school students want to change their curriculum and the broader world. Let’s talk about how they can do it.
Sustainable Business Models Need to Focus on Waste
Current approaches to business — and business sustainability — are not working. Tomorrow’s company needs a different business model, focusing not only on profits, but also waste.
What COVID-19 Has Taught Me About Business Sustainability
Businesses often seek to scale up, but COVID-19 has given us the opportunity to think about scaling down and deep.
A Crisis Gone to Waste?
Early hopes that the pandemic might shock the world into cleaner, greener, less wasteful economic models may have faded. Yet there is still time to ensure that COVID-19 is the springboard for transitioning to a circular economy
Finding the ‘New Normal’ after COVID-19
The ‘new normal’ will make business more productive, but society more unequal. It’s time for a social reset.
Does the Coronavirus Offer Lessons for Climate Change?
The coronavirus and climate change are very different problems. But the global response to the coronavirus gives me hope that we can tackle other global threats
Going Fast by Going Slow
Feel exhausted in a world of increasing demands? Systems thinking tells us that if we do fewer things well, we will ultimately achieve more, faster
What is Business Sustainability?
Sustainability is different from CSR, the triple bottom line, and shared value. Its meaning matters
Why I No Longer Believe in the Stakeholder Perspective
A stakeholder perspective often forces companies to choose favourites. A systems perspective is better for everyone
Does Continuous Growth Mean Ultimate Collapse?
Business growth may be the problem, but attacking growth is not the solution
Is the Experience Economy the Answer?
Consuming ‘stuff’ is unsustainable. Will consuming ‘experiences’ get us to sustainable development?
Bringing Your Whole Self to Work
I am dismayed by how many good people disconnect their personal beliefs and values in their day job
Some Reasons for Optimism
As governments fail to speak up on sustainability, new voices are filling the void