The Right Strategy: Benchmarks for Just Corporate Action

29 Pages Posted: 6 May 2019

See all articles by Sergio G. Lazzarini

Sergio G. Lazzarini

Ivey Business School, Western University; Insper Institute of Education and Research

Date Written: April 12, 2019

Abstract

Facing escalating criticism, firms and their owners have rushed to argue that their profits are for the common good, often via perfunctory social or philanthropic initiatives that fail to demonstrate real impact. In this context, I argue that the highest-order problem faced by corporations and their owners is to choose a certain benchmark of justice to follow. I combine Rawls’s theory of justice with Coase’s comparative efficiency analysis to come up with a set of ordered criteria that firms can voluntarily choose: unconditional respect for basic rights and liberties, open access to market opportunities, evidence of improved lives of vulnerable people, and distinct competence to improve lives. Choosing a higher-level benchmark implies that the other lower-order conditions are met — avoiding, for instance, investments in social projects simply to compensate for the neglect of more fundamental actions. I also discuss the role of ultimate principals in selecting a certain benchmark of justice to guide corporate strategies.

Keywords: corporate strategy, corporate justice, corporate social responsibility, business ethics, impact management

JEL Classification: M14, O16

Suggested Citation

Lazzarini, Sergio Giovanetti, The Right Strategy: Benchmarks for Just Corporate Action (April 12, 2019). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=3371177 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3371177

Sergio Giovanetti Lazzarini (Contact Author)

Ivey Business School, Western University ( email )

1151 Richmond Street North
London, Ontario N6A 3K7
Canada

Insper Institute of Education and Research ( email )

R Quata 300
Sao Paulo, 04542-030
Brazil
55-11-45042387 (Phone)

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