Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • 2013
  • Working Paper
  • HBS Working Paper Series

Debating the Responsibility of Capitalism in Historical and Global Perspective

By: Geoffrey Jones
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:44
ShareBar

Abstract

This working paper examines the evolution of concepts of the responsibility of business in a historical and global perspective. It shows that from the nineteenth century American, European, Japanese, Indian and other business leaders discussed the responsibilities of business beyond making profits, although until recently such views have not been mainstream. There was also a wide variation concerning the nature of this responsibility. This paper argues that four factors drove such beliefs: spirituality; self-interest; fears of government intervention; and the belief that governments were incapable of addressing major social issues.

Keywords

Rachel Carson; Sustainability; Local Food; Operations Management; Supply Chain; Business And Society; Business Ethics; Business History; Corporate Philanthropy; Corporate Social Responsibility; Corporate Social Responsibility And Impact; Environmentalism; Environmental Entrepreneurship; Environmental And Social Sustainability; Ethics; Globalization; History; Religion; Consumer Products Industry; Chemical Industry; Beauty and Cosmetics Industry; Energy Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; Forest Products Industry; Green Technology Industry; Manufacturing Industry; Asia; Europe; Latin America; Middle East; North and Central America; Africa

Citation

Jones, Geoffrey. "Debating the Responsibility of Capitalism in Historical and Global Perspective." Harvard Business School Working Paper, No. 14-004, July 2013.
  • SSRN
  • Read Now

About The Author

Geoffrey G. Jones

General Management
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Deeply Responsible Business: A Global History of Values-Driven Leadership

    By: Geoffrey Jones
    • March 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Ghassan E. Nuqul: Establishing the Core Values of a Family Business

    By: Geoffrey Jones
    • February 2023
    • Faculty Research

    Aristotle Onassis and the Greek Shipping Industry

    By: Geoffrey Jones and Melanie Sheehan
More from the Author
  • Deeply Responsible Business: A Global History of Values-Driven Leadership By: Geoffrey Jones
  • Ghassan E. Nuqul: Establishing the Core Values of a Family Business By: Geoffrey Jones
  • Aristotle Onassis and the Greek Shipping Industry By: Geoffrey Jones and Melanie Sheehan
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Accessibility
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College