Governance of Ecosystems
Shifting from industry- to ecosystem-based strategies is high on the agenda of many corporate boards; whether, as with many incumbents, to reposition themselves, or for upstarts to capitalize on change. As compelling as the strategic logic for ecosystems is, they are often complex and difficult to build and sustain. Lack of or inadequate governance is often cited as a major cause. This book presents ten perspectives on ecosystem governance, bringing together viewpoints from practitioners and academics. It offers practical insights, introduces new perspectives, and invites readers to reflect on their own approaches to ecosystem governance.
Board ViewsFrom Corporate Governance of Sustainability to Sustainable Corporate Governance
What is the best way to integrate sustainability into the corporate governance framework? Boards of directors have chosen two distinct paths: the functional way, which focuses on corporate governance of sustainability, and the foundational approach, which leads to sustainable corporate governance. This article assesses the merits and limitations of both approaches and calls for a transition to sustainable governance. This requires board members to engage regularly with stakeholders and to continuously debate the underlying assumptions to further develop the governance framework as required.
Board ViewsThe Multipurpose Corporation as a Driver for Sustainable Value Creation
The nature of the debate on the role of business in society strongly suggests a cyclical nature, with constant attempts to balance different interests and perspectives. To overcome the illusion of solving this conundrum, this article proposes an alternative approach, multipurpose capitalism. It posits that companies should compete not only on their products and services, but also on their different purpose profiles. It is left to consumers, workers, and investors to decide where to shop, work, and invest. The article offers a framework and methodology to create a comprehensive ecosystem that enables this matching process and suggests ways to overcome the challenges along the way.
