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The B Corp Movement: A Systematic Literature Review

Author

Listed:
  • Elsa Diez-Busto

    (Business Administration Department, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
    Yunus Centre, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain)

  • Lidia Sanchez-Ruiz

    (Business Administration Department, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
    Yunus Centre, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
    Research Group of Health Economics and Health Service Management, IDIVAL (Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria Valdecilla), 39011 Santander, Spain)

  • Ana Fernandez-Laviada

    (Business Administration Department, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain
    Yunus Centre, University of Cantabria, 39005 Santander, Spain)

Abstract

This work develops a systematic literature review on the B Corp movement. Fifty articles were identified in the Web of Science and Scopus databases until 2020. Results show that it is an incipient field with great potential. There are two topics repeatedly addressed in the analyzed publications: the motivations of companies to be certified, and the economic and social effects that occur after certification. Sustainability is currently the reference journal in the field, since it has published a total of five articles. Finally, several lines of future work are proposed, such as the contribution of B Corp companies to the SDGs; the development of case studies on the certification process itself; and the development of methods for measuring social impact.

Suggested Citation

  • Elsa Diez-Busto & Lidia Sanchez-Ruiz & Ana Fernandez-Laviada, 2021. "The B Corp Movement: A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-17, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:5:p:2508-:d:506167
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    References listed on IDEAS

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