Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate Sustainability at a Crossroads
MIT SMR and BCG’s 2017 sustainability research report offers eight lessons for sustainable business.
Sustainability remains a frequently discussed opportunity for business differentiation. Heralded as “the primary moral and economic imperative of the 21st century,” by Mervyn King, former governor of the Bank of England, it is considered to be “one of the most important sources of both opportunities and risks for businesses.”
MIT SMR and Boston Consulting Group recently completed an eight-year collaboration on the topic of sustainability. Over the course of the program, the partnership produced cutting-edge research on business adoption of sustainable practices and the integration of sustainability into business strategy. We developed detailed analyses of the business cases for sustainability, sustainability-related profitability, and issues around collaboration and investment.
The intersection of sustainability and another powerful market influence, digitalization, however, represents largely unexplored territory. Each has spawned a massive set of research about how it will change management practice, and more broadly, business and society. MIT SMR intends to build on its research on corporate sustainability and digitalization, and is currently looking for a partner to join our research effort.
MIT SMR and BCG’s 2017 sustainability research report offers eight lessons for sustainable business.
Artificial intelligence developers can make choices that will reduce the emissions generated by AI training models.
This issue of MIT SMR focuses on sustainability, customer and employee engagement, and strategic planning.
Large AI models are big energy consumers and carbon emitters. Sustainable AI practices can reduce their environmental impact.
Mandatory sustainability reporting will help companies show investors how they intend to manage risk and create value.
Business leaders need to set interim targets judiciously to get early wins and build momentum for sustainability goals.
To comply with new sustainability rules, consumer brands need much more visibility into products’ chemical compositions.
Meaningful economic climate action requires not only regulation but commercial demand for sustainable finance.
Executives who lead research and innovation are well placed to help their companies cut greenhouse gas emissions.
Sustainability efforts often get blamed when companies trip up. That’s not fair or logical.
A study finds that U.S. consumers believe businesses could positively impact society but fall short in sustainability.