Is Business Broken?

Five years ago, the Business Roundtable made a bold move and redefined the purpose of a corporation. 181 CEOs signed a pledge to create value for all stakeholders in a corporation, instead of just shareholders. What, if anything, has changed since that declaration five years ago? Host Curt Nickisch speaks to Lynn Paine, Professor at Harvard Business School, Om Prakash Bhatt, the former chair and CEO of the State Bank of India, Anthony Allott, former chair and CEO of Silgan Holdings, and James Orlikoff, president of Orlikoff & Associates Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Last week's episode introduced the promises and challenges brought forth by Cell and Gene Therapies. Today's show dives deeper into this topic with BU Questrom Professor Rena Conti, an expert on the financing and regulation of the biopharmaceutical market.She and host Curt Nickisch discuss why these treatments are so expensive, challenges for insurance companies, and potential solutions to ensure fair access. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, U.S. Representative Jake Auchincloss advocates for sustainable healthcare policies, while Michael Sherman shares insights on funding innovative therapies amidst high costs. Andrew Obenshain emphasizes Bluebird Bio's mission to pioneer gene therapies for genetic diseases. They tackle the complex interplay between innovation and accessibility, proposing collaborative funding models to improve patient access and addressing ethical considerations surrounding expensive treatments. Together, they envision a future where groundbreaking therapies are within reach for all.

The future of ESG, or Environmental Social Governance, depends on how we approach our current moment, according to today's show guests. Host Curt Nickisch talks with Bob Eccles, Visiting Professor of Management Practice at Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, and Madison Condon, Associate Professor at Boston University School of Law, to discuss where ESG is going. How will today’s political battles play out? How might emerging technology affect the field? And what is the evolving role of the shareholder in this? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Mindy Lubber, CEO of Ceres, champions sustainability in business, while Peter Fox-Penner, Chief Impact Officer at Energy Impact Partners, focuses on clean energy investments. They discuss the pivotal role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in shaping corporate strategies. Explore how high inflation and regulatory changes impact ESG investments. The conversation also delves into the tension between political influences and corporate responsibility, highlighting the innovative approaches some companies take despite challenges.

Eddie Riedl, a distinguished accounting professor at BU Questrom, and John Streur, former CEO of Calvert Research and Management, dive deep into the evolution of ESG. They trace its roots from early corporate ethics concerns to its global prominence today. The discussion highlights the shift from traditional financial metrics to comprehensive ESG standards, the role of market mechanisms in addressing environmental issues, and the myths surrounding capitalism's compatibility with social responsibility. It's a fascinating journey through business ethics and accountability.

Witold Henisz, an expert in political and social risk management from Wharton, joins Andy King, a strategist in industry self-regulation from BU Questrom, for a lively debate on the ESG movement. They discuss whether ESG can harmonize profit and planetary health, or if it's just a marketing ploy. The conversation highlights the often conflicting interests between profit motives and societal welfare, the importance of community relations in investment success, and the political backlash against ESG initiatives. Both guests emphasize the need for better regulations to enhance ESG's effectiveness.

Host Curt Nickisch and Susan Fournier, Allen Questrom Professor and Dean of Questrom School of Business at Boston University, preview the arc of this podcast and unpack the thorny questions percolating about business and capitalism today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A preview of "Is Business Broken?" - Conversations about the role of business in society, brought to you by the Ravi K. Mehrotra Institute for Business, Markets & Society at BU Questrom School of Business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices