Since the 2008 Global Financial Crisis the prevailing economic development model based on an assumption of unlimited resources and, therefore, unlimited growth has been increasingly put into question by academics, policy-making agencies and even industry leaders themselves. Climate change, general environmental and natural resource degradation, widespread inequalities, and systemic governance failures are pressing capitalism to renew itself to deliver sustainable outcomes for a broader base of stakeholders. This has become known in more practical terms as the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) and responsible investment movements. The pressure to change how we organise ourselves as societies and economies has implications for how large and small corporations, public or private, are governed and to the benefit of whom. This Handbook offers a rare combination of pluralistic and multidisciplinary perspectives from law, economics, finance and management, as well as an interesting mix of latest academic thinking and practical recommendations on ESG for boards and executive teams. Should companies be governed and managed for the benefit of their shareholders alone? Can companies be governed to deliver for shareholders as well as the broader stakeholder base? How can investors allocate capital to advance sustainability? Part I provides a pluralistic discussion of some of these fundamental questions besetting academics and practitioners alike while Part II examines recent regulatory developments and assesses what may need to change in terms of law and regulation to both hold companies to account for sustainability while enabling them to continue to provide vital goods and services. Part III of the book discusses how the different types of companies and investors are currently facing the sustainability imperative and incorporating ESG factors on how they operate and invest. The concluding chapter provides an overview of the key regulatory, ecosystem and board-level gaps that require urgent and decisive action.

European Company Law Series, Volume 19 Compelling new perspectives on corporate governance – including attention to increased shareholder engagement, long-term value creation, and sustainability – have given rise to major changes in the management of companies. Yet, until this book, there has been no systematic account of the legislative and soft law instruments designed to promote good corporate governance practices across the range of sizes and types of companies. The book analyses the various instruments that legislators and others have used to promote good corporate governance in European companies and assesses their value in practice. Nineteen well-known scholars of business and corporate law delve into how such issues and topics as the following are approached across the spectrum of corporate governance instruments available in Europe: corporate codes of conduct; procedural rules regulating how directors make decisions; rules on board composition and remuneration; regulating boards in small- and medium-sized enterprises; public enforcement of directors’ duties; how digitalisation may affect implementation of corporate governance instruments; reporting rules; rules on the empowerment of minority shareholders; the role of the general meeting; regulation of the market for corporate control; certifications; rules on liability of directors; and role of auditors and accountants. In its in-depth analysis of the benefits and potential disadvantages of each instrument and what may be achieved both at company level and generally, this book will prove of value to all concerned with promoting responsible corporate governance, whether in business, government, or academia.

In recent years, the longstanding debate between shareholder-oriented and stakeholder-oriented models of corporate governance for large listed, or "public" corporations, has experienced a resurgence. Simultaneously, a wave of new regulations has reshaped the legal landscape, compelling businesses to integrate public objectives - such as environmental protection or the social interests of specific stakeholder groups - into their decision-making processes, which were traditionally driven solely by profitability considerations. Against this background, the book brings together economic, comparative, historical, and doctrinal perspectives of scholars from US and European legal academia. The ongoing discourse regarding the fundamental role of public corporations in economies and society is vivid and rather different, across Europe, and the US. Filling a gap in comparative literature on these themes, this volume further explores commonalities across these varying legal landscapes, while remaining cognizant of distinct, cultural, legal, and economic contexts. Most strikingly, the contributions here point to the European emphasis on stakeholder-oriented regulation, in contrast to the US-American focus on shareholder value. Providing a comprehensive analysis of recent legal developments in this space, this volume serves as an essential theoretical guide to debates around corporate purpose, CSR, and ESG today.

Family business groups (FBGs) are ubiquitous, influential, and play a major role in national economies. While much of the current research around this topic has so far focused on emerging economies, more knowledge is needed on family business groups in developed economies; specifically, how they innovate, strategize, govern, and grow. Offering a comprehensive and global perspective on family business groups, this Handbook comprises international contributions from leading experts. Split into five sections, it covers strategy and business transformation; innovation strategies; management and governance; and new avenues for research on FBGs including the issues of sustainability and cultural alignment. An important resource for students and researchers of family business, strategy and management, this Handbook signals the emergence of the family business group phenomenon and solidifies research in this evolving area of study.

Environmental degradation and social inequities pose significant challenges in today's world, demanding urgent action. The disconnect between human activities and ecosystem health has led to biodiversity loss, climate change, and socio-economic disparities. There is a pressing need for a comprehensive approach that integrates Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles with the essential services provided by ecosystems. ESG and Ecosystem Services for Sustainability offers a compelling solution by bridging the gap between theory and practice, guiding stakeholders towards sustainable practices that benefit both people and the planet. This groundbreaking book explores the scientific foundations of ecosystem services, illustrating their critical role in maintaining biodiversity, regulating climate, and enhancing resilience. Emphasizing the interconnectedness of ESG principles and ecosystem health provides a framework for understanding the impact of human actions on the environment. Through real-world case studies and practical insights, the book demonstrates how integrating ESG considerations into governance and business practices can lead to more sustainable outcomes. It serves as a roadmap for policymakers, business leaders, and academics, offering actionable strategies for fostering ethical governance and responsible decision-making.

What's a good company? Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) investing is transforming the world of business and finance. Investors are using data on issues like climate and diversity to enhance returns and make an impact. But with scepticism creeping in, how far can we trust the numbers? Is all this data making a difference to people and planet, and have we actually lost sight of what we are measuring and why? Measuring Good Business explains what we can measure – and calls for honesty about what we can't. This is the first book to look at the numbers behind the ESG revolution. It sets out a bold blueprint to revolutionise the data based on bottom-up, inclusive metrics, customised data to meet investor needs and impact measures that put sustainability in context. It is essential reading for anyone creating, using or studying ESG and sustainability data. After unpacking what’s going on today, the book focuses on solutions, providing a how-to guide to improve measurement and make sustainable business more impactful. It shows why measurement matters in a highly accessible way through stories and insights based on practical experience. The book is relevant to a broad readership of data creators (e.g. those working in companies), users (e.g. capital market participants) as well as the large ecosystem of raters, rankers and standard setters across the private, public and non-profit worlds.

​Addressing a topic at the forefront of global interests in business and development, this book is the first comprehensive book in the world that addresses ESG wholistically. It combines academic and practical content through multidisciplinary analysis, integrating economics, statistics, finance, strategic management and mathematics with an African focus. The book argues that ESG is largely in the interest of the firms/companies themselves, in addition to benefitting the larger society in which they exist. It also makes it everyone's responsibility to play a part in addressing global climate challenges. Thus, the book views the survival of the corporations, economies and the larger societies as interlinked. It will be of interest to researchers, policymakers and business persons in and outside of Africa.

In our contemporary era, while diversity is acknowledged, true inclusion remains an elusive goal, as society grapples with multifaceted challenges. The "great resignation" and movements like #MeToo have exposed workplace culture issues, while events like Black Lives Matter protests underscored glaring disparities. Simultaneously, rapid technological advancements introduce new risks, from cyber exploitation to biased AI. These complexities demand innovative solutions that address these challenges, fostering environments of genuine respect, understanding, and collaboration. Applied Research Approaches to Technology, Healthcare, and Business, edited by Dr. Darrell Norman Burrell, emerges as a transformative force. This dynamic anthology presents insights, research, and actionable recommendations from diverse fields and perspectives, taking an interdisciplinary approach to unravel workplace dynamics, health disparities, and technological advancements. Topics include inclusive leadership, equitable technology, bias in AI, and forging collaboration across religious and cultural differences. By harmonizing voices and expertise, this book offers transformative approaches for individuals, educators, and professionals. This rich resource empowers readers to navigate today's societal challenges, equipping them to become architects of a more inclusive, equitable, and harmonious future across technology, healthcare, and business.