A Theory of Social Impact - Christian Linder (ESCP of London) - Thursday, June 24th, 2021

External Research Seminar - Yellow - ING-IND 35 - ESCP Business School (Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris).

  • Date: 24 June 2021 from 13:00 to 14:00

  • Event location: On line with TEAMS

  • Access Details: Free admission

Abstract:

How can firm-level initiatives create social impact?

This is a fundamental question related to the social impact of economic actors.

Dual-purpose companies are at the center of this research conversation because they prioritize a social impact by targeting society’s grand challenges while steeped in business logic.

First, we problematize the conflation of the level at which firms operate and the level at which grand challenges need addressing.

Second, we combine the potential positivist and constructivist influences of dual-purpose firms to delineate a seven-step ordered process: creating a measurable impact, audience recognition, legitimacy, challenges to market prototype, audience reformulation of the market prototype, diffusion of the new norms, and disappearance of holdouts.

A meaningful resolution to a grand societal challenge is possible at the final stage.