Welcome to the Council on Business & Society’s Global Voice autumn issue magazine #33 – A Step Beyond Business as Usual.

Global Voice #33 features an engaging Editorial by CoBS Academic Director Adrian Zicari, and 20 research and practitioner insights from the CoBS member schools, guest institutions and companies.

This issue’s 123 pages are organised into 4 sections:

The Sustainability section takes a look at the hidden complexities of sustainability labels and their effect on customers and investors; how high-speed car manufacturers are turning to circular economy models; the increasing interest in design ergonomics and the benefit for sustainable development; the integral role universities play in shaping a sustainable future; and lastly, an in-depth practitioner focus on transforming companies’ linear business models to circular models.

Section 2 – CSR – puts the spotlight on the social impact of companies, both internal and external, and covers the challenging issue of disclosing disabilities in the workplace, the darker side of coaching and a blueprint for companies and professionals to improve; empowering female worker rights in mining; how HR can help unlock neurodiverse talent; and lastly, research into improving corporate social responsibility inside organisations by breaking down silos.

AI and its role in re-shaping finance kicks off our section on ESG & Finance, followed by a practitioner insight on healthcare real estate and why a new model of governance is called for to cater for the UN SDGs; Purpose and authenticity are cast upon finance to explore how this could lead to the ultimate strategic advantage for banking institutions; and lastly, an ESG consulting insight offers us the upcoming trends in green finance and investment.

Business & Society – at the heart of the CoBS mission – constitutes Section 4 of this magazine. We look at top research that explores how national bias shapes legal decisions in the courts; generations and their different skills and appeal for companies; consumers and why they should be concerned by products aimed at the bottom-of-the-pyramid; philanthropy and e-commerce in China; and finally, two more insights dealing with AI – how it could safeguard democracy, and on the other side of the coin, how AI risks creating incompetent experts at work.

We hope you enjoy this autumn issue of Global Voice magazine and join in the debate with your comments and insights via The CoBS on LinkedIn!

Kind regards,

The CoBS Editorial and Publishing Team

Useful links:

• Discover our download page on the CoBS website for a host of research and practitioner knowledge and learning content.
• Explore our recent co-published special issue Harvard BiGS & CoBS magazine on Corporate Purpose
• Browse the CoBS Insights overview page.

Learn more about the Council on Business & Society

The Council on Business & Society (CoBS), visionary in its conception and purpose, was created in 2011, and is dedicated to promoting responsible leadership and tackling issues at the crossroads of business, society, and planet including the dimensions of sustainability, diversity, social impact, social enterprise, employee wellbeing, ethical finance, ethical leadership and the place responsible business has to play in contributing to the common good.  

• Follow the CoBS on LinkedIn
• Download magazines and learning content from the CoBS website downloads page.

Member schools of the Council on Business & Society.

• ESSEC Business School, France, Singapore, Morocco
• FGV-EAESP, Brazil
• School of Management Fudan University, China
• IE Business School, Spain
• Indian Institute of Management Bangalore, India
• Keio Business School, Japan
• Monash Business School, Australia, Malaysia, Indonesia
• Olin Business School, USA
• Smith School of Business, Queen’s University, Canada
• Stellenbosch Business School, South Africa
• Trinity Business School, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
• Warwick Business School, United Kingdom.