The Social Purpose of the Modern Business Corporation

This monograph considers the social contribution of business corporations in response to the “governance triangle” of market competition, regulation and pressure from civil society. It examines both “regulated behavior” and autonomous action by corporations in achieving social goals. Corporations are bound by a network of constraints and the monograph considers the elements of this network and the current and projected outcomes as corporations respond to external and internal pressures. The implications for policy and governance are drawn. The literature is examined critically and a potential research agenda is drawn. The mechanisms of change are analyzed together with their likely efficacy in achieving social purposes for the business corporation.