The Future of Corporate Social Responsibility and Stakeholder Capitalism: Perspectives on the Purpose of the Corporation One Year Later

On August 19, 2019, Business Roundtable released an updated Statement on the Purpose of a Corporation, forgoing shareholder primacy and instead committing to delivering value for all stakeholders. The Statement reinforced a commitment to a free market economy that serves all Americans. It was a bold declaration that reverberated across the business world.

It’s now one year later: What’s changed, and what’s stayed the same? Any answer to that question must recognize that the one-year anniversary of the Business Roundtable statement arrives at an extraordinary time. The coronavirus pandemic, an intensifying economic crisis, and a summer of demonstrations for racial justice all present business leaders with challenging decisions to make in meeting their commitment to all stakeholders.

The August 19th program features Joshua Bolten, President & CEO of Business Roundtable, in conversation with Judy Samuelson, executive director of the Aspen Institute Business & Society Program. The speakers will explore the impact of the 2019 statement, the extraordinary challenges of the past 12 months and what the future may hold for Business Roundtable, its members and the rise of stakeholder capitalism.