Strategy and Society: The Link Between Competitive Advantage and Corporate Social Responsibility

In the article, authors propose a new way to look at the relationship between business and society that does not treat corporate success and social welfare as a zero-sum game. They authors introduce a framework companies can use to identify all of the effects, both positive and negative, they have on society; determine which ones to address; and suggest effective ways to do so. When looked at strategically, corporate social responsibility can become a source of tremendous social progress, as the business applies its considerable resources, expertise, and insights to activities that benefit society.