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Best of the world or better for the world? A systematic literature review on benefit corporations and certified B corporations contribution to sustainable development

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  • Ronald Weber Kirst
  • Miriam Borchardt
  • Maurício Nunes Macedo de Carvalho
  • Giancarlo Medeiros Pereira

Abstract

Benefit corporations (BCs) and certified benefit corporations (B Corps) are organizations committed, beyond profit, to leveraging positive environmental and social impacts. Considering their potential contributions to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable development, they have received growing attention in the academic literature. To date, no study has carried out a systematic literature review (SLR) and discussed the state of the art of BC and B Corp management research. Through a SLR, this study aims to systematize the scientific knowledge related to BCs and B Corps. Sixty‐five papers have been identified, classified, and analyzed in thematic groups (legal model and governance, entrepreneurial journey, external environment, performance). Two distinct periods of publication have been identified. The first encompasses papers about BCs focused on legal model and governance; the second presents studies about B Corps within the other research themes through various lenses, such as CSR and sustainable business models. This SLR proposes further avenues of research, implications for organizations and policy makers.

Suggested Citation

  • Ronald Weber Kirst & Miriam Borchardt & Maurício Nunes Macedo de Carvalho & Giancarlo Medeiros Pereira, 2021. "Best of the world or better for the world? A systematic literature review on benefit corporations and certified B corporations contribution to sustainable development," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 28(6), pages 1822-1839, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:corsem:v:28:y:2021:i:6:p:1822-1839
    DOI: 10.1002/csr.2160
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    2. Silvia Cantele & Chiara Leardini & Luca Piubello Orsini, 2023. "Impactful B Corps: A configurational approach of organizational factors leading to high sustainability performance," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(3), pages 1104-1120, May.
    3. Steve Waddell & Sandra Waddock & Simone Martino & Jonny Norton, 2023. "Emerging Economic Operating Infrastructure to Support Wellbeing Economies," Humanistic Management Journal, Springer, vol. 8(1), pages 63-88, April.
    4. Patrizia Gazzola & Stefano Amelio & Daniele Grechi & Chiara Alleruzzo, 2022. "Culture and sustainable development: The role of merger and acquisition in Italian B Corps," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1546-1559, September.
    5. Luis Fonseca & Vitor Silva & José Carlos Sá & Vanda Lima & Gilberto Santos & Rui Silva, 2022. "B Corp versus ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications: Aligned, or alternative paths, towards sustainable development?," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(3), pages 496-508, May.
    6. Adriana Liute & Maria Rosa De Giacomo, 2022. "The environmental performance of UK‐based B Corp companies: An analysis based on the triple bottom line approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 810-827, March.

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