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Social Impact And Online Communication In B-Corps

Author

Listed:
  • Giorgia Nigri
  • Laura Michelini
  • Cecilia Grieco

Abstract

The main aim of the present study is to empirically analyze the relationship between the level of social impact and the level of online communication in B Corps. To reach this aim, the following indices were developed: the SIA index (based on the overall score of the Benefit Impact Assessment) and the SIA online communication index (based on a mix of variables selected from the literature). An analysis of 400 BCorp websites was then carried out to highlight companies’ behaviors and point out differences between the US and the EU. The research provides a matrix in which four main typologies of B Corps are identified: newbies, overexposed, undervalued and best practice. The research highlights that a high number of companies, especially in the European context, have not yet fully understood the potential of being a B Corp and that there is room for improvement. Companies can adopt the matrix as a benchmarking tool for a self-evaluation of their position, and identify the required actions to improve their performance

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgia Nigri & Laura Michelini & Cecilia Grieco, 2017. "Social Impact And Online Communication In B-Corps," Global Journal of Business Research, The Institute for Business and Finance Research, vol. 11(3), pages 87-104.
    • Handle: RePEc:ibf:gjbres:v:11:y:2017:i:3:p:87-104
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Giorgio Mion, 2020. "Organizations with Impact? A Study on Italian Benefit Corporations Reporting Practices and Reporting Quality," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-21, October.
    2. Silvia Cantele & Giacomo Troisi & Bettina Campedelli, 2021. "Le societ? Benefit in Italia: un?analisi sulla diffusione e sulle prassi di rendicontazione," MANAGEMENT CONTROL, FrancoAngeli Editore, vol. 2021(2), pages 107-126.
    3. 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.
    4. Giorgia Nigri & Mara Del Baldo & Armando Agulini, 2020. "Governance and accountability models in Italian certified benefit corporations," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(5), pages 2368-2380, September.
    5. Silvia Blasi & Silvia Rita Sedita, 2022. "Mapping the emergence of a new organisational form: An exploration of the intellectual structure of the B Corp research," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(1), pages 107-123, January.
    6. Patrizia Gazzola & Daniele Grechi & Paola Ossola & Enrica Pavione, 2019. "Certified Benefit Corporations as a new way to make sustainable business: The Italian example," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 26(6), pages 1435-1445, November.
    7. Giorgia Nigri & Mara Del Baldo, 2018. "Sustainability Reporting and Performance Measurement Systems: How do Small- and Medium-Sized Benefit Corporations Manage Integration?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(12), pages 1-17, November.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Benefit Corporations; B Corps; Social Impact Assessment; Stakeholder Communication; Corporate Social Responsibility;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • M14 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - Corporate Culture; Diversity; Social Responsibility
    • M31 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Marketing and Advertising - - - Marketing

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