HKS Affiliated Authors

Alan L. Gleitsman Professor of Social Innovation, HKS; Joseph C. Wilson Professor of Business Administration, HBS

Excerpt

May 12, 2021, Paper: "Corporate leaders say they want to serve all of society: investors, customers, employees, and communities. But good intentions and positive statements can’t create real change until power — defined as the ability to control valued resources, such as executive hiring, compensation, and a company’s list of priorities in the face of an economic or health crisis — is shared more broadly. To accomplish this, two fundamental shifts need to occur: Boards must be revamped to give employees and stakeholders more decision-making power, and corporations need to be held accountable not only for their financial performance but also for their social and environmental impacts. Until power is shared more broadly, it is unlikely that society will make progress on issues such as inequality and climate change. And when things get worse in these areas, everyone — even the powerful — will suffer."

HKS Author - Julie Battilana