The rules for global firms have changed — just ask Nike, Shell, Monsanto or Home Depot. Savvy corporate leaders know that in the emerging networked world there are new driving forces causing firms to behave differently. Global firms can no longer distance themselves from the deep social, political and environmental challenges that confront their leadership team on a daily basis: from the high costs of corruption on the corporate bottom line; to ensuring compliance with a broad range of national and international standards and regulations; to the growing expectation that firms contribute to the quality of life in their host communities and minimize their ecological footprint; to new emerging threats of violence against global firms and their employees. The urgency of change is being driven by a new and broader corporate bottom line where shareholder returns are based as much on a firm’s track record as corporate citizen as they are on solid economic performance.
Only one thing is certain: firms that demonstrate vision in embracing appropriate new roles and relationships with the societies within which they operate gain trust and reap rewards in the marketplace. Don Tapscott, an internationally sought after authority, consultant and speaker on strategy and organizational transformation, will share his views on rethinking the role of the corporation.
