Research
Stakeholder Theory & Sustainable Business
The era when Milton Friedman convinced companies that their sole social responsibility was to maximise shareholder value is over. Since 1981, Robert Edward Freeman has argued: “If you only look at the financials, you miss the point of capitalism. You have to look at the value created for all stakeholders.”
Professor Freeman, the father of modern Stakeholder Theory, at the Business Ethics Symposium, 2016
THE REASON FOR OUR NAME
1st EDITION: 1997
Abstract: John Elkington's visionary book “Cannibals with Forks – The Triple Bottom Line of 21st Century Business” promotes a responsible approach to business. Companies must take into account the dimensions of sustainable development, namely environmental, social and economic considerations. Presented as 7 resolutions, Elkington sets out the 21st-century challenges every company must address.
Keywords: Triple bottom line, sustainable strategy, stakeholders, people, planet and profit, corporate social responsibility.
THE AREAS WHERE WE OPERATE
Our firm is fully committed to the sustainabledevelopment.un.org/topics framework and the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Whenever we work alongside a client partner, our actions reflect the expertise gained from academic publications in this field — articles, news, blogs, symposia and conferences we access daily, thanks to our membership of the global network working on this topic.
We are proof that academic recommendations can be successfully applied in practice. Our contribution helps advance the 17 SDGs. We can go further and explore global challenges through EU Community Funds or United Nations funding streams. See our services and contact us!