Whether lured by the promise of new opportunity or pushed by the fear of mounting risks, a growing number of public companies are starting to think a little more altruistically—and paying more attention to their ability to sustain themselves well into the future.
“Corporate sustainable development” is a new way of doing business for U.S. companies in particular, where a short-term emphasis on profitability has long driven corporate strategy and decision-making. Now, says David Vidal, research director for global corporate citizenship at The Conference Board, businesses are starting to turn a corner.
