OUR BLOG ON SUSTAINABILITY

andreas rasche's new blog column

#SUSTAINABILITY IN THE BOARDROOM

Andreas Rasche is researching and teaching on corporate sustainability with a focus on ESG, governance and sustainable finance. He currently serves as the Associate Dean for the Full-Time MBA program at Copenhagen Business School. Andreas has published over 60 peer reviewed articles in international journals and authored/edited seven books. He has worked for and collaborated with the UN Global Compact on a number of projects. From 2012-2024, Andreas served as Associate Editor of Business Ethics Quarterly and was a Visiting Professor at Stockholm School of Economics (2017-2020). More at: http://www.arasche.com

Programme Impact

Creating a Good Economy Together

What is a good economy?

Our simple idea is that we need to re-embed our economy, as the vital link between a fulfilling life of individuals and a prosperous society. This is the humanistic vision of a “civil economy” – a market economy that re-embraces its “emancipative” responsibility for a just and sustainable society. Where markets are not promoting a “perfect” battle of companies against one another, but rather enable them to strive “for the best of all” in friendly competition.

corporate political responsibility

Corporate responsibility reflects an organization's commitment to ethical conduct and the well-being of its employees, stakeholders, and society, prioritizing human flourishing and the common good over profit maximization. True corporate responsibility goes beyond compliance, requiring a shift in worldview, purpose, and practices to foster a virtuous community and social impact.

A Global Challenge

There is no denial: capitalism is in crisis. Our prevailing economic model, once celebrated as a beacon of liberal enlightenment, now stands accused of complicity in a myriad of societal challenges, resulting in unprecedented ecological and social damage. Deep anxiety permeates society, fuelled by profound concerns about the state of the world and a growing disillusionment with the dominant narrative of progress. Yet, most people still operate within the implicit acceptance of growth-based consumer capitalism, a system in which shareholder profits ultimately dominate decisions that impact the lives of every citizen, the health of the Earth, and the fate of future generations. Current policy proposals continue to fall short, often remaining within the confines of the existing paradigm rather than questioning the system itself. Yet, alternatives exist. Across the globe, courageous individuals and communities contribute to a global shift towards better business, exploring innovative ideas such as the resurgence of the commons, the degrowth movement, ecofeminism, civil economics, and more. Frederic Jameson once famously remarked: "It's easier to imagine the end of the world than to imagine the end of capitalism." Our intention is to prove him wrong!

Learning From The Past

Antonio Genovese, an Italian economist and philosopher, charted the concept of civil economy well ahead of Adam Smith's influential 'Wealth of Nations' by a decade. This paradigm ingeniously intertwines market principles with profound social bonds, championing human dignity, reciprocity, and solidarity. Unlike capitalism, fixated on profit and individual ownership, the civil economy propels an inclusive, sustainable, and socially responsible system that places community well-being at its core. It elegantly fuses economic efficiency with ethical considerations, presenting a compelling alternative.

The allure of a civil economy lies in its contrast to capitalism's sole pursuit of economic gain, often at the expense of broader societal welfare. By embracing the ethos of social bonds, ethical considerations, and a commitment to the common good, a civil economy strives for a more balanced and socially conscious economic framework. Its superiority is evident in the potential to address pressing social and environmental issues that persist under the dominance of capitalism.

To transition from our current capitalist model to a more socially conscious economy demands systemic changes. It necessitates policies that not only incentivize ethical business practices but also place social welfare on par with economic growth. Integrating sustainability into economic strategies and fostering corporate social responsibility and fair trade practices are pivotal. Furthermore, government support for socially impactful enterprises will play a crucial role in sculpting an equitable and sustainable economic landscape, effectively addressing critical global issues.

But how exactly can we evolve and what would a reformed Capitalism look like? Join us for our new "Business for Humanity" inquiry to explore ideas and examples of what might be possible!

business for humanity

Business For Humanity: Making Sense of Alternative Economics

Boost your ability to make a positive impact on your company, society and the planet.


Deepen your understanding of ecological, societal and economic transformation.


A UNIQUE exploration of economic paradigms

Embark on an engaging journey with us during our monthly Business for Humanity sessions to discover economics beyond the standard textbook! Each session is crafted as a collaborative inquiry, featuring a structured format to make the exploration of alternative economic frameworks both insightful and interactive:

  • Inspiration: Experience a brief introduction and presentation of the alternative framework by the author.
  • Clarification: Dive into an in-depth Q&A session with the author. Audience questions from the chat are welcomed.
  • Meta Reflection: Participate in a critical analysis of the framework within the broader inquiry.
  • Generative Dialogue: Engage in an integrative plenary. Explore key takeaways and discuss how to translate the learnings into actionable insights.
Each block lasts around 30 minutes, making the entire session approximately 120 minutes. Watch the intro video with Kees Klomp and Silvio Christoffel!

KEES KLOMP
"We are only as good as the stories we tell."
existential economics

KEES KLOMP

Thriving Beyond Capitalism?


Do genuine alternatives to capitalism truly exist, and can they effectively operate? Should capitalism be replaced, or is reform a more viable option? Which of the many proposals are worth looking into? Learn more about Kees's bestseller "Thrive" and join the conversation as we frame our inquiry and set out to provide clarity amidst the myriad of ideas and approaches available!

Christian Felber
"Cooperation instead of competition."
ecg

christian felber

Is There An Economy For The Common Good?


Christian Felber is the founder of the Economy for the Common Good. His ideas have already brought together over 4,500 companies, municipalities, universities and private individuals. What are the foundations of his "economic model of the future" and what is the common good anyway? Join us as we explore these questions in an exciting edition of Business for Humanity.

alex edmans
An unequal distribution of something is almost always better than an equal distribution of nothing.
pieconomics

alex edmans

Can Capitalism Be Saved?

Alex Edmans is a distinguished Professor of Finance at London Business School, renowned for his expertise in corporate finance, responsible business, and behavioral finance. He advocates for Pieconomics, a radical mindset shift poised to reshape business for the mutual benefit of investors and society alike.

helena norberg-hodge
For our species to have a future, it must be local.
economics of happiness

helena norberg-hodge

Is It Time To Go Local?

Helena Norberg-Hodge is a winner of the Right Livelihood Award and renowned for her expertise in sustainable economies. She argues that we must make a straightforward choice between reconnecting deeply with each other and nature, or perpetuating a path of inequality, isolation, and environmental degradation

Ecological economics recognizes that the economy, like any other subsystem on the planet, cannot grow forever.
wellbeing economics

robert costanza

Are We Truly Valuing Nature?

Robert Costanza is a founder of Ecological Economics and leading global economist. He develops Well-being Economics, a groundbreaking new paradigm that seeks to bridge traditional economics and ecological science in order to balance nature’s contributions and human well-being, transcending mere economic growth.

“We have a vision and all the technologies we need to make a good start at crafting a life of dignity and quality for all people on Earth."
Regenerative Economics

Hunter Lovins

Creating a Economy in Service To Life

Hunter Lovins is a renowned sustainability expert and environmental advocate. She is the founder of the non-profit Natural Capitalism Solutions (NCS), dedicated to implementing sustainable practices for businesses, governments, and communities. As a member of the Executive Committee of the Club of Rome, Hunter plays a key role in shaping global sustainability discussions.

Personal and Actionable Insights

This new series is crafted to appeal to a broad and diverse audience in mind, including Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders seeking inspiration for socially responsible entrepreneurship, Policy Makers and Economists shaping economic policies, Students and Academics exploring emerging economic paradigms, Socially Conscious Consumers, NGOs, Activists, Innovators, Journalists, and the General Public! In a nutshell, it welcomes anyone intrigued by progressive economic models aligned with ethical, sustainable practices and a positive societal impact. Whether you're seeking credible practical proposals or simply looking to gain a better understanding, this series promises insights for all.

The Business for Humanity webcasts promote and stimulate diverse proposals and ideas for alternative economic frameworks. Together with an interested audience, we want to uncover the premises and worldviews underlying these approaches, shed light on practical implications and real-world examples, and explore their possible strengths and weaknesses.

INSIGHTS

Political Economics: Integrating State and Business

More insights coming soon

We are currently in the process of developing our recommendations based on our Business for Humanity interviews and deep dives. Watch this space for further updates!

join our inquiry

Please join our webcast series and provide your insights and ideas!

Linking Values, Institutions, and Theory of Change

In a civil economy, businesses hold a collective and structural responsibility to embrace social and ecological impact. This includes reshaping the narrative around work to prioritize human dignity, supporting fair wages, ethical supply chains, and community initiatives, and collaborating to address systemic challenges like climate change and inequality. Businesses must work together, sharing best practices, advocating for policy changes, and promoting leadership development focused on wisdom and social responsibility. The goal is to align organizational practices and governance with the common good, fostering a sustainable future where work provides meaning, purpose, and fulfillment for all.


leadership society

See what else we have to offer

Business for Humanity is our monthly webcast series dedicated to exploring alternatives to capitalism. We interview global thought leaders on economic models that promise greater sustainability, and critically examine them in our ongoing meta inquiry with an interested community

Leaders for Humanity and Leaders for Humanity Masterclass represent our PhD-level research where we engage with exceptional minds to explore the development of good leaders and organizations. This series provides extensive resources and background reading materials.

The Flourishing Manifesto is a global initiative uniting HR and business leaders, consultants, and researchers in a collaborative effort to redefine performance management as a catalyst for responsible business transformation and leadership.

"Business as a Force for Good" is our pilot program developed in collaboration with Duke University, designed to create a practical module for responsible leadership education, with a particular focus on business and MBA students.

Never miss a FREE SESSION! Subscribe to our Leadership Society Bulletin for the latest news on all upcoming sessions, including access to video recordings and materials! (Automatically included with registration)

do you have further questions?

We are here to guide and support you on this exciting journey! Drop us a line at info@leadershipsociety.world Whether it's a detailed question or a brief inquiry, our team is ready to provide you with the information you need.


Connect with us on LinkedIn for updates, insights, and direct communication. Follow our page 'Leadership Society' and engage with our community.
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INSTITUTE OF WORK AT UNI ST. GALLEN Institute for Work and Employment Research University of St. Gallen