Contesting the Value of the Shared Value Concept

California Management Review, vol 56/2, Winter 2014, Forthcoming

35 Pages Posted: 17 Dec 2013

See all articles by Andrew Crane

Andrew Crane

University of Bath - School of Management

Guido Palazzo

University of Lausanne

Laura J. Spence

University of London - Royal Holloway College

Dirk Matten

York University - Schulich School of Business

Date Written: December 16, 2013

Abstract

This paper critiques Porter and Kramer’s concept of creating shared value. The strengths of the idea are highlighted in terms of its popularity among practitioner and academic audiences, its connecting of strategy and social goals, and its systematizing of some previously underdeveloped, disconnected areas of research and practice. However, the concept suffers from some serious shortcomings, namely it: is unoriginal; ignores the tensions inherent to responsible business activity; is naïve about business compliance; and is based on a shallow conception of the corporation's role in society.

Keywords: Corporate social responsibility, Business and society, Stakeholders, Philanthropy, Partnerships, Ethics

Suggested Citation

Crane, Andrew and Palazzo, Guido and Spence, Laura J. and Matten, Dirk, Contesting the Value of the Shared Value Concept (December 16, 2013). California Management Review, vol 56/2, Winter 2014, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2368387

Andrew Crane (Contact Author)

University of Bath - School of Management ( email )

Claverton Down
Bath, BA2 7AY
United Kingdom

HOME PAGE: http://www.bath.ac.uk/management/faculty/andrew-crane.html

Guido Palazzo

University of Lausanne ( email )

Quartier Chambronne
Lausanne, Vaud CH-1015
Switzerland

Laura J. Spence

University of London - Royal Holloway College ( email )

Egham
Surrey, TW20 0EX
United Kingdom

Dirk Matten

York University - Schulich School of Business ( email )

4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario M3J 1P3
Canada

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