MACMILLAN Progressive Business Models: Creating Sustainable and Pro-Social Enterprise (Palgrave Studies in Sustainable Business In Association with Future Earth)

This book presents and analyses exemplary cases of progressive business, understood as ecologically sustainable, future-respecting and pro-social enterprise. The authors present a number of companies following progressive business practices from a range of industries including ethical and sustainable banking, artisan coffee production and distribution, pharmaceutical products, clean technology, governance in retailing, responsible hospitality and consumer goods. With case studies from around Europe such as Tridos Bank in The Netherlands, Béres Co. in Hungary, Novo Nordisk in Denmark, Lumituuli in Finland, John Lewis in the UK and Illy Café from Italy, these progressive companies have global reach and an international impact. The collected cases aim to show the best to be expected from business in the 21st century in a structured accessible way, suitable for any readers interested in innovative ways of creating forward-looking sustainable business. Review “At Unilever, I emphasised our brands were owned by our consumers, citizens in a community. Only as a constructive and engaged participant in communities, do we earn the respect of citizens and support of consumers. Thus, responsibility and sustainability is embedded in our DNA. This book gets to the heart of that approach.” (Niall Fitzgerald, KBE, former CEO of Unilever, former Chairman of Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust, and of Investment Climate Facility for Africa) “Increasingly, the most reputable organizations give great importance to the social value they generate. This book relates specific examples of their “Progressive Business Models”, and will undoubtedly be a source of inspiration for managers, and business school professors and students who are committed to building a more open, sustainable and inclusive world.” (Eugenia Bieto, Director General, ESADE Business School, Barcelona and Chairman, CEMS – Global Alliance for Management Education) "Beyond a very realistic diagnosis of the dramatic dysfunctions of the dominant corporate paradigm, O'Higgins and Zsolnai tell us, convincingly, how a diversity of companies and corporate leaders around the world offer alternative models to create sustainable and pro-social organizations. Success is clearly explained, hence much learning. So much needed!" (Henri-Claude de Bettignies, Professor, Emeritus, INSEAD) “At last a practical case-based book with pedagogical application presenting a workable alternative to what the authors argue is the failure of business ethics and CSR. 11 companies, big and small, demonstrate how models of progressive business work. The authors martial the challenges and show how even a multinational can succeed differently.” (Mike Thompson, Chairman of GoodBrand London, UK and Visiting Professor of Management Practice, China-Europe International Business School (CEIBS) Shanghai, China) “This timely and innovative volume ambitiously addresses the heart of the failure of pro-social and sustainability efforts in business. It takes an important step forward in transforming the management of organizations for meaningful change that will benefit present and future generations. It is a must-read for academics and practitioners alike.” (David M. Wasieleski, Professor of Management and Business Ethics, Duquesne University, Pittsburg and Affiliate Research Professor in Ethics and Innovative Management, ICN Business School, Nancy, France) “We all need business to be a force for good. Without being dewy-eyed this book catalogues successful companies created or transformed to serve human purposes. Creating them is one thing. Sustaining them is another. Read this fascinating handbook for examples of the imagination, single-mindedness, stewardship and entrepreneurial drive required.” (Mark Goyder, Founder, Tomorrow’s Company) “This well researched book on progressive business models demonstrates that forward looking companies don’t view a comprehensive CSR agenda as a business cost