The 2017 Sustainable Shared Value Report

Businesses exist to serve shareholders and staff. However, can businesses add value to society and their local communities?

In the 21st Century the world faces social, environmental, and financial challenges of unprecedented magnitude and complexity. So, with these many and varied social issues that need addressed, does this mean that businesses should exist to serve society? Many would argue that “there is only one social responsibility of business, to use its resources and engage in activities designed to increase its profits” or more simply “the business of business is business”. In recent years however, this somewhat myopic view of shareholder value has changed and it is becoming increasingly clear that there is a convergence of interests occurring among large global corporates and they are connecting business success with social progress.

This report by Roger Warnock examines the principles of business driven, sustainable economic growth with a moral compass.