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Creating Shared Value
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleThe capitalist system is under siege. Recently business has been criticized as a major cause of social, environmental, and economic problems. Companies... -
The Case for Investing in Digital Public Infrastructure
Global Business Digital ArticleHow businesses and governments can work together to build digital foundations that benefit everyone. -
The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleMost companies feel compelled to give to charity. Few have figured out how to do it well. -
Research: Why Employees Accept Lower Pay at Mission-Oriented Companies
Organizational Development Digital ArticleA closer look at the social pressures that dissuade job candidates from negotiating for more money. -
A Bretton Woods for the 21st Century
Sustainable business practices Magazine ArticleIf you are the leader of a large organization (or only of yourself) who cares about improving the world, here’s a question you should consider: How will you participate in the global solution networks that are increasingly managing to address the world’s problems? A global solution network is a group of independent parties that have […] -
3 Ways Social Entrepreneurs Can Solve Their Talent Problem
Social enterprise Digital ArticleIt’s the only challenge that gets harder as they scale. -
Can You Help Solve These Social Entrepreneurs’ Challenges?
Social enterprise Digital ArticleEditors’ note: A few weeks ago, HBR asked members of the Poptech Social Innovation Fellows to tell us their management challenges in running socially minded businesses. Our goal in doing so was to expose these challenges to you — the HBR.org community — with the hopes that the community could assist these challenges via conversations […] -
The Noncorporate Organization
Economics Digital ArticleBefore the dotcom boom, one never heard the question “what’s your business model?” Asking it would have marked you as dim. A few standard models had been around for a hundred years or so: extractive businesses and agriculture, manufacturing operations, service businesses, media companies, and financial intermediaries, each accommodating a few variations like franchising, piecework, […] -
What We Talk About When We Talk About “Social”
Social enterprise Digital ArticleSocial media, social enterprise, social era… Do we even know what we’re saying anymore? -
Don’t Assume the Shoe Fits
Corporate social responsibility Magazine ArticleMost businesspeople will serve on the board of a nonprofit organization at some point. But the governance of nonprofits can differ dramatically from the governance of businesses. Even the best intentions can prove disastrous when new board members fail to understand that their traditional business experience can carry them only so far. -
A Lean Startup Approach to International Development
Innovation & Leadership Digital ArticleLarge-scale planning isn't the answer. -
New Research: If You Want To Scale Impact, Put Financial Results First
Social enterprise Digital ArticleSuccessful entrepreneurs prioritize financial goals over social ones. -
The $300 House: The Corporate Challenge
Social enterprise Digital ArticleEditor’s note: This post is one in an occasional series on Vijay Govindarajan’s and Christian Sarkar’s idea to create a scalable housing solution for the world’s poor. Each post will examine the challenge from a different perspective, including design, technology, urban planning and more. Today, Stephanie A. Burns shares insights from her company’s forays into […] -
What Makes Social Entrepreneurs Different
Social enterprise Digital ArticleWhen you’re out to solve a problem rather than standardize a business model, your priorities change. -
Solving Complex Social Problems Through Collaboration
Leadership & Managing People Digital ArticleConnecting philanthropy with need. -
Failing and Learning with the Playpump
Innovation Digital ArticleThis post is part of HBR’s special issue on failure. You may all recall the headlines, some years back, about an interesting social enterprise called the “playpump.” The idea was neat — hook a merry-go-round type of device to a water pump, let the kids have at it, and voila, you could pump water which […] -
Philanthropy’s New Agenda: Creating Value
Corporate social responsibility Magazine ArticleSatisfied with doing good, too few foundations work strategically to do better. -
Avoiding the Madonna Effect in Philanthropy
Communication Digital ArticleThe collapse of Madonna's high-profile effort to build a school for impoverished girls in Malawi has made headlines around the world. The singer's celebrity... -
I'm an entry-level employee. How can I get my company to act on climate change?
Big shifts need to happen in business so the world can avoid the most catastrophic effects of climate change. But it can be difficult to know what your... -
The Betterness Manifesto
Economics Digital ArticleNote: this post has been expanded to an HBR Single, Betterness: Economics for Humans. Get it from any book e-tailer or download it here. So you want to build a better 21st century. But how? That’s what many of you have been asking me on Twitter and elsewhere. We can feel it, I suspect, most […]
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How Tony’s Chocolonely Created a Purpose-Driven (and Profitable) Supply Chain
Human rights Digital ArticleA case study of the popular Dutch chocolate company. -
Research: Why Employees Accept Lower Pay at Mission-Oriented Companies
Compensation and benefits Digital ArticleA closer look at the social pressures that dissuade job candidates from negotiating for more money. -
A Fast Track to Building Trust
Management VideoYou can't establish credibility without building trust, but trust takes time to develop. What can you do if you don't have time on your side? -
The Case for Investing in Digital Public Infrastructure
Business and society Digital ArticleHow businesses and governments can work together to build digital foundations that benefit everyone. -
Should Your Start-up Be For-Profit or Nonprofit?
Nonprofit organizations Magazine ArticleA guide for social entrepreneurs -
Moving the Needle on Sustainability
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Magazine ArticleMany sustainability initiatives focus on improving the sustainability of products and operations in legacy or adjacent markets or on achieving sustainability... -
Why Sharing Economic Growth with the Community Is Good Business
Social and global issues Digital ArticleMutually beneficial partnerships can both drive profit and alleviate poverty. -
What Happens When a Company (Like Patagonia) Transfers Ownership to a Nonprofit?
Corporate governance Digital ArticleThis form of ownership may be new in the U.S., but it’s relatively common in Europe. -
How Business Coalitions Can Have a Strong Local Impact
Business and society Digital ArticleBest practices based on an analysis of more than 40 regional initiatives. -
Accounting for Climate Change
Accounting Magazine ArticleThe first rigorous approach to ESG reporting -
The Net Positive Manifesto
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleBoth practically and morally, corporate leaders can no longer sit on the sidelines of major societal shifts or treat human and planetary issues as "someone... -
How NGOs Can Help More People with DIY Solutions
Business and society Digital ArticleIn certain cases, offering unfinished products to aid recipients can lead to better results — and help make the most of limited resources. -
How Low and Middle-Income Countries Are Innovating to Combat Covid
Global Business Digital ArticleSeven lessons for innovators everywhere. -
Getting Serious About Stakeholder Capitalism
Leadership & Managing People Digital ArticleBusiness can't thrive in an environment of unhealthy employees, customers, and communities, an at-risk planet, and a fractured society. To transition... -
Why Today’s Startups Pursue Both Ideas and Ideals
Corporate social responsibility Big IdeaPurpose can provide strategic and operational advantages. -
Power Sharing Can Change Corporations for the Better, Japanese Version
Global Business Big IdeaStrategies for ensuring stakeholder voices are heard and ESG goals are met. -
Shareholders Are Pressing for Climate Risk Disclosures. That's Good for Everyone., Chinese Version
Strategy & Execution Digital ArticleNew research finds that this activism leads to more transparency and that markets react favorably. -
A New Way to Scale Social Enterprise
Social enterprise Digital ArticleA new type of security, called “mission equity,” caps investor returns so the company’s financial success can help fuel its mission. -
Companies Can - and Should - Help Employees Pay Student Loans
Leadership & Managing People Digital ArticleLessons from PwC's paydown program. -
Boards Are Obstructing ESG - at Their Own Peril, Chinese Version
Strategy & Execution Digital ArticleEnvironmental, social, and governance issues have a greater impact on company finances than many directors realize.
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Bill Wilson: Changing the World
Leadership & Managing People Case Study8.95View Details This case describes the life choices of Bill Wilson, the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous. A young man with tremendous potential, Wilson hit rock bottom... -
Public Equities Impact Investing at BlackRock
Finance & Accounting Case Study8.95View Details In early 2021, BlackRock-the world's largest asset manager with $9 trillion in assets under management (AUM)-sought to become a leader in promoting environmental... -
Connect-in-Place: Startup Disrupts Socializing and Learning During COVID-19
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Case Study8.95View Details Two UCB students forced into online classes during COVID-19 realized - due to their volunteer experiences championing educational equality - that younger... -
San Francisco Ballet: On "Pointe" for the Future
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Case Study8.95View Details The SF Ballet was regarded as one of the top ballet companies in the world. It had an enviable earned revenue percentage of almost 50% and had an internationally... -
SK Group: Social Progress Credits
Finance & Accounting Case Study8.95View Details SK Group was one of the largest companies South Korea. A family-run conglomerate consisting of around 120 subsidiaries and employing more than 100,000,... -
Beyond the Barricades: Chile 2023
Management Case Study8.95View Details Chile, often considered among Latin America´s greatest economic success stories, suffered a shocking wave of protests in October 2019, as its citizens... -
Merck & Co., Inc.: Addressing Third-World Needs (A)
Strategy & Execution Case Study8.95View Details Researchers at Merck & Co. believe that a drug they had developed for animals might be an effective treatment for human river blindness, a debilitating... -
DHL Supply Chain
Global Business Case Study8.95View Details The degradation of the environment has led many governments and customers to pressure businesses to make their operations more nature friendly. The case... -
Leader Action Orientations
Organizational Development Case Study8.95View Details Leaders are responsible for planning and executing actions that advance organizational goals. As individuals gain career experience, they tend to develop... -
Arla Foods: Data-Driven Decarbonization (B)
Management Case Study5.00View Details Arla implemented a data based price incentive systems to measure, track, and influence climate friendly changes to reduce CO2 emissions across the world's... -
Cost Plus Drugs
Strategy & Execution Case Study8.95View Details In September 2022, Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drugs Company CEO Alex Oshmyansky considered the future of the company. Cost Plus Drugs was a retailer for more... -
Moleskine Foundation: Can Creativity Change the World?
Management Case Study8.95View Details The Italy-based Moleskine Foundation worked with young adults in Africa and Europe to inspire social change through art and creative projects. Adama Sanneh,... -
Saving an Endangered Art: India's Handloom Heritage
Management Case Study8.95View Details The case is set in November 2021 and traces the journey of a unique women-led collective-Weavers Resource Bridge (led by Talish Ray and her fellow handloom... -
Aravind Eye Hospital, Madurai, India: In Service for Sight
Sales & Marketing Case Study8.95View Details Starting as a modest 20-bed hospital, Aravind had grown into a 1,400-bed hospital complex by 1992. It had by then screened 3.65 million patients and performed... -
Plug Power (A)
Management Case Study8.95View Details Set immediately after a December 2019 short-seller attack, the case explores Plug Power's long challenging history. It then focuses on two key issues... -
Fortum India: Responsible Leadership in Times of Crisis
Leadership & Managing People Case Study8.95View Details Fortum started operations in India in 2012 as a producer of solar energy and soon became one of the country's leading clean-energy companies. It was driven... -
The Necessary Journey: Making Real Progress on Equity and Inclusion
30.00View Details "What does a workplace utopia look like to you?" This is the question Dr. Ella F. Washington asks company leaders, and often she hears about an ideal... -
KaBOOM!: Play at Scale (B)
Leadership & Managing People Case Study5.00View Details Supplemental to case 517025. This (B) case describes the changes in the organization's strategy from one of Building Playgrounds to Influencing Play.... -
Janet Ames (B)
Leadership & Managing People Case Study5.00View Details The series of Janet Ames cases follow a fictional alumna of Harvard Business School into her consulting career in Boston. Over the series of cases, Ames...
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Creating Shared Value
Strategy & Execution Magazine ArticleThe capitalist system is under siege. Recently business has been criticized as a major cause of social, environmental, and economic problems. Companies... -
The Case for Investing in Digital Public Infrastructure
Global Business Digital ArticleHow businesses and governments can work together to build digital foundations that benefit everyone. -
The Competitive Advantage of Corporate Philanthropy
Competitive strategy Magazine ArticleMost companies feel compelled to give to charity. Few have figured out how to do it well. -
Research: Why Employees Accept Lower Pay at Mission-Oriented Companies
Organizational Development Digital ArticleA closer look at the social pressures that dissuade job candidates from negotiating for more money. -
A Bretton Woods for the 21st Century
Sustainable business practices Magazine ArticleIf you are the leader of a large organization (or only of yourself) who cares about improving the world, here’s a question you should consider: How will you participate in the global solution networks that are increasingly managing to address the world’s problems? A global solution network is a group of independent parties that have […] -
3 Ways Social Entrepreneurs Can Solve Their Talent Problem
Social enterprise Digital ArticleIt’s the only challenge that gets harder as they scale. -
Can You Help Solve These Social Entrepreneurs’ Challenges?
Social enterprise Digital ArticleEditors’ note: A few weeks ago, HBR asked members of the Poptech Social Innovation Fellows to tell us their management challenges in running socially minded businesses. Our goal in doing so was to expose these challenges to you — the HBR.org community — with the hopes that the community could assist these challenges via conversations […] -
Freshworld: Marrying The Art of Street Vending With The Science of Modern Retail, Teaching Note
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Digital ArticleTeaching note for case IMB863. -
The Noncorporate Organization
Economics Digital ArticleBefore the dotcom boom, one never heard the question “what’s your business model?” Asking it would have marked you as dim. A few standard models had been around for a hundred years or so: extractive businesses and agriculture, manufacturing operations, service businesses, media companies, and financial intermediaries, each accommodating a few variations like franchising, piecework, […]