Responsible Capitalism
PROJECT
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FEATURES
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PROGRAMMES
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BLOG
The Background
The current form of capitalism is unsustainable. There is deepening and persistent inequalities in income, wealth, gender, race, opportunities, and taxation. Inequalities that lead to fractured societies that are actively harmful to the long-term growth of nations’ economies.
There is an impending climate catastrophe, that has been accelerated by the reckless degradation of the environment in the continual pursuit of growth and industrialisation.
The current form of capitalism is at a dangerous tipping point. Evolution is the only solution.
Capitalism is a man-made invention. As its stakeholders and stewards, it is our responsibility to reshape, repurpose and regenerate the capitalist system for the environmental and financial viability of future generations.
We need a more conscious, more reflective, more sustainable system. Neoliberal capitalism has come of age.
It’s time for Responsible Capitalism.
The Project
Responsible Capitalism is an ambitious new project that aims to answer key questions about the future of global capitalism.
The project will create a vibrant, global, interdisciplinary hub examining the crucial interactions between corporations, finance, government and society. The project will engage and assist policy makers and other constituencies in interpreting research findings and to confront their thinking with the best available evidence. It will enable the different parties to understand what the academic evidence suggests and to draw practical conclusions and real world, adaptable solutions.
Global Expertise
The ECGI has already secured the expertise and commitment from a global team of experts to lead this collaborative enterprise.
Knowledge Portal
The Responsible Capitalism platform will serve as a global knowledge portal and a neutral platform for exchange, dialogue and dissemination.
Positive Change
Responsible Capitalism will shape the future of capitalism, influence the global policy landscape and be a conduit for positive change.
The inaugural phase of the project will feature:
Research programmes
The first three research programmes, commencing in June 2022 will explore the tension between the beneficial outcomes of capitalism, and the unequal consequences which are not aligned with democratic societies and the future of the planet.
Global Blog
Through comment & analysis from the ECGI network & beyond, the Blog will enhance the understanding of research, influencing the global debate.
Launch conference &
Annual summit
The launch conference & summit will build on ECGI’s track record of organising high-level policy conferences. The launch conference will be held in Milan in September 2022 & the inaugural summit will be held in Brussels in October 2022.
ECGI Conversations with Dr. Tom Gosling
A platform for critical dialogue and discussion. With interviews and analysis from experts, academics and business leaders.
The three initial research programmes are:
Responsible Investment
Responsible Investment is transforming the international asset management industry. It comprises the incorporation of ESG issues into portfolios and active ownership (stewardship) that seeks to improve portfolio companies’ ESG performance.
What are the motivations of investors to adopt responsible investment strategies? Are certain investment strategies more efficient than others at delivering sustainable impact and/or financial performance? Do investors walk the ESG talk? How can we identify those that engage in greenwashing and assess and mitigate greenwashing related externalities for our economies, societies, and the natural environment?
Programme director
Caroline Flammer
Columbia University
and the UN Principles
for Responsible Investment
Programme Chair
Rajna Gibson Brandon
University of Geneva;
Founder, Geneva Finance Research Institute and ECGI
Family Enterprises
Family-controlled firms are ubiquitous, both among publicly listed and privately owned entities. They are essential for the future of capitalism and their role merits reflection and debate.
Do family firms have sufficient access to capital markets? Are family firms committed to sustainability? Is the family firm model sufficiently understood by institutional investors?
Programme director
Anete Pajuste
Stockholm School of Economics and ECGI
Programme Chair
Morten Bennedsen
University of Copenhagen,
INSEAD and ECGI
Programme Vice Chair
Yupana Wiwattanakantang
National University of Singapore and ECGI
Corporate Purpose
The purpose of business is the reason why it has been created and its reason for being. It has become a central focus of business practice, policy, and academic research. There is a need for a substantial body of research that evaluates the relationship between purpose and performance of firms in not just financial terms but also in relation to impact.
What precisely is meant by the purpose of business? Is it a business tool, a reconceptualisation of business, or a policy agenda? Is it, or should be, legally relevant and, if so, how? How does it relate to such topics as sustainability, responsibility, inclusivity, and ESG?
Programme director
Jennifer Hill
Monash University and ECGI
Programme Chair
Colin Mayer
University of Oxford and ECGI
Programme Vice Chair
Jordi Canals
IESE Business School
Make a Donation Today
FINANCIAL SUPPORT FOR THIS INITIATIVE IS SOUGHT THROUGH PHILANTHROPIC AND CORPORATE DONATIONS TO ECGRF.
ECGI BLOG
A key pillar of the Responsible Capitalism project is the ECGI Blog, which aims to provide a global perspective on corporate governance and more. Through comment and analysis from the ECGI network and beyond, the Blog will enhance the wider understanding of related research, igniting and influencing the global debate.