Business as a Force for Good in Society

01 Dec 2022

Business as a Force for Good in Society

HBS to address critical issues of our times through a new lens

Topics: Society-Civil Society or Community Environment-Environmental Sustainability Society-Wealth and Poverty Demographics-Diversity Philanthropy-Giving Impact

01 Dec 2022

Business as a Force for Good in Society

HBS to address critical issues of our times through a new lens

Topics: Society-Civil Society or Community Environment-Environmental Sustainability Society-Wealth and Poverty Demographics-Diversity Philanthropy-Giving Impact

01 Dec 2022

Business as a Force for Good in Society

HBS to address critical issues of our times through a new lens

Topics: Society-Civil Society or Community Environment-Environmental Sustainability Society-Wealth and Poverty Demographics-Diversity Philanthropy-Giving Impact

Illustration by Dana Smith

In a world facing myriad complex challenges, Harvard Business School is actively exploring how capitalism is working, what leadership role business can and should play in making it work better, and how business can be a force for good in society. At the center of this effort is the newly established Institute for the Study of Business in Global Society (BiGS), an ambitious, interdisciplinary enterprise that provides a research-based platform for the School’s faculty to examine many of the most critical issues and opportunities of our times.

BiGS serves as an intellectual hub for the study of business and society at HBS. The Institute will amplify the work of the School’s research initiatives and 17 global research outposts, including the new Mid-US Research Office, and will catalyze additional streams of inquiry. Ultimately, it will shape business education and practice by translating research into action. The Institute’s initial priorities are climate change and environmental sustainability along with social and economic inclusion, particularly the study of how capitalism and business can help create a more equitable world.

The School’s ability to create an institute such as this, which will generate ideas with impact, is made possible by gifts to the HBS Fund. This support each year from alumni and friends provides the flexible resources needed to fuel the School’s core activities as well as its aspirations and innovations.