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  • January 2008
  • Article
  • Harvard Business Review

Do Well by Doing Good? Don't Count on It

By: Joshua D. Margolis, Hillary Anger Elfenbein and James P. Walsh
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:1
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Abstract

Research over 35 years shows only a weak link between socially responsible corporate behavior and good financial performance. However, there's no evidence of risk in doing good, only in being exposed for misdeeds.

Keywords

Values and Beliefs; Profit; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Performance Effectiveness; Behavior

Citation

Margolis, Joshua D., Hillary Anger Elfenbein, and James P. Walsh. "Do Well by Doing Good? Don't Count on It." Social Responsibility. Special Issue on HBS Centennial. Harvard Business Review 86, no. 1 (January 2008): 19.
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About The Author

Joshua D. Margolis

Organizational Behavior
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More from the Authors
  • Darden Restaurants: The Nine Square Feet By: Joshua D. Margolis and James Barnett
  • Is This the Right C-Suite Role? By: Anne Donnellon, Joshua D. Margolis and Amy Gallo
  • Nayana Mawilmada: Transforming Urban Development in Sri Lanka By: Joshua D. Margolis and Mahima Rao-Kachroo
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