Capitalism is under attack. From across the political spectrum, critics have decried business’s role in increasing economic inequality, driving environmental destruction, and sustaining systems of racial injustice.
The Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society (BiGS) brings together a community of scholars, students, and practitioners to examine those areas where business and society interact and occasionally collide, and to explore how business can help address some of society’s greatest challenges.
Highlights
Reimagining the Role of Business in the Public Square
- 15 SEP 2022
A conference hosted in conjunction with the Harvard Law School, the Harvard Kennedy School, and the Harvard Data Science Initiative about what business is—and should be—doing to respond to the critical challenges facing the world today.
Doing Business in a Divided World
- 21 OCT 2022
A conversation between CEOs and civic leaders from across the midwestern region, hosted in conjunction with the mid-US research office, exploring the changing demands being placed upon for-profit firms, and the expanding role that business leaders are playing in addressing complex societal issues.
A Conversation with Satya Nadella, Microsoft Chairman and CEO
- 04 FEB 2022
Dean Srikant Datar and Professor Debora Spar, Senior Associate Dean for Business and Global Society, join Satya Nadella, Chairman and CEO of Microsoft, for a live conversation, the first in a series of conversations presented by BiGS, Harvard Business School’s newly launched Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society.
Accounting for Climate Change
- DEC 2021
Corporations are facing growing pressure—from investors, advocacy groups, politicians, and even business leaders themselves—to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from their operations and their supply and distribution chains. About 90% of the companies in the S&P 500 now issue some form of environmental, social, and governance report, almost always including an estimate of the company’s GHG emissions.
Slavery and Capitalism
- MAR 2022
The birth of “Modern Economic Growth” constituted a watershed in human history, allowing societies to escape the Malthusian impasse and permanently raise living standards. While the new growth regime had lifted billions of people out of extreme poverty over the last two centuries, the total distribution of economic gains—both between and within countries—had been far from equitable.
2022 Edelman Trust Barometer: The Geopolitical Business
- MAY 2022
The latest version of the Edelman Trust Barometer shows that there is a “new values mandate for business to be an ethical participant in society.” The report found that geopolitics is now a key issue for business to address and that, while trust in business is rising in the West, those gains are only seen among those in the top quartile of income.
To Drive Diversity Efforts, Don’t Tiptoe Around Your Legal Risk
- JUL 2022
Many DEI initiatives are scuttled because DEI leaders and legal teams feel themselves to be at odds over questions of acceptable risk. DEI leaders see lawyers as guardians of the status quo, whereas legal experts, trained to anticipate the worst, believe they are protecting the company from legal risk. In most situations they’re confronted with a risk-reward calculus that’s easy to quantify.
The BiGS Fellows are scholarly researchers who will join the School to work on specific projects related to issues of business and society. They will provide intellectual leadership and research support that will accelerate the process of knowledge creation at HBS and leverage the expertise of our faculty. For the 2022 – 23 academic year, the fellowship is dedicated to scholars whose work focuses on issues of race, diversity, inclusion, and inequality.
Initiatives
Much of BiGS’ ongoing work is conducted by faculty associated with the School’s distinctive
Initiatives – interdisciplinary groups of researchers who come together around specific topics
relating to business innovation and societal equity. Initiatives connect this work
to their extensive networks of leading practitioners, working with them to develop
and test smart solutions to some of society’s most pressing issues.
Projects
Research Projects allow faculty to pursue more specific topics at the intersection of research and practice. They typically result in publications, conferences, and other forms of knowledge dissemination.
Students and practitioners can engage with the topics that BiGS focuses on through a number of courses and cases already in place.
The Moral Enterprise: How Two Companies Profit with Purpose
- 28 JUN 2022
- |
- Working Knowledge
Despite polarized attitudes, Rebecca Henderson argues that it's the perfect time for companies to reset their moral compass. In an essay from the book A Political Economy of Justice, she explores the social efforts of Cadbury and Unilever.
What Does It Take to Close the Opportunity Gap in America’s Labor Market?
- 14 JUN 2022
- |
- Working Knowledge
In the wake of George Floyd’s killing and widespread protests for social justice in the United States, OneTen was formed by a coalition of 40 large companies to address the disparity in job opportunities for African Americans without four-year...
HBS Announces Inaugural Cohort of Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society Visiting Fellows
- 21 APR 2022
- |
- Harvard Business School
HBS has announced the inaugural cohort of the Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society (BiGS) Visiting Fellows, who will be joining the school this fall.
Events
BiGS Conversations: Seth Klarman, CEO of Baupost
- 4 OCT 2022 |
- In person or via live stream
Members of the HBS community are invited to join BiGS in conversation with Seth Klarman about his views of business's role in society. This event is part of the BiGS Conversations series, a set of discussions with senior business leaders on how they are working to improve business's relationship with society.
Doing Business in a Divided World
- 21 OCT 2022 |
- Detroit, MI
A conversation between CEOs and civic leaders from the midwestern region, hosted in conjunction with the mid-US research office, exploring the changing demands being placed upon for-profit firms, and the expanding role that business leaders are playing in addressing complex societal issues.
BiGS Seminar Series
- Faculty Seminar Series
A monthly faculty seminar presenting cutting-edge work at the intersection of business and society. The seminars are open to all Harvard faculty, as well as to interested doctoral students or faculty members from other institutions. In 2022 – 23, the seminar will focus on novel business solutions for addressing climate change (fall semester) and economic inclusion (spring).
Stay in Touch
Are you interested in the intersection of business and society? Register for updates
on new research and new programs as BiGS grows.