International Humanistic Management Association
Join us for an engaging discussion with Christopher Marquis on The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs
As business leaders solemnly profess dedication to principles of environmental and social justice, their actions often betray an enduring commitment to the neoliberal idea of maximizing profit. Hiding behind the mirage of ESG and corporate social responsibility, traditional corporations continue to exploit the very resources and communities essential to their success. In his new book, THE PROFITEERS, Cambridge professor Christopher Marquis shows it’s not enough to blame and shame—or even to reform the worst corporate actors. We must rethink and transform the entire system, leaving behind the current model of shareholder primacy to create a new, regenerative paradigm. In addition to critique, this talk will discuss how innovative leaders are taking actions to minimize their negative impacts and create new ways to properly absorb their hidden costs, providing blueprints to move the needle on vexing social and environmental issues.
Bio:
Christopher Marquis is the Sinyi Professor of Management at the University of Cambridge and author of The Profiteers: How Business Privatizes Profits and Socializes Costs. His research examines business sustainability and social entrepreneurship, and he has written two prior award-winning books, including Better Business: How the B Corp Movement Is Remaking Capitalism and Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise, the latter was a Financial Times Best Book of 2022. Marquis is passionate about how academic research can help people around the world address some of the biggest crises of our day — including climate change, inequality, and discrimination. Before Cambridge Marquis worked at Cornell for 6 years, and Harvard for 11 years. He has a PhD in sociology from the University of Michigan and previously worked for six years in the financial services industry, most recently as a Vice President at JP Morgan Chase.
About Erica Steckler:
Erica Steckler, Ph.D., is Associate Professor of Management and Co-Director of the Donahue Center for Business Ethics and Social Responsibility in the Manning School of Business at the University of Massachusetts Lowell. In 2016 Erica launched the IHMA Necessary Conversations Research Forum and is honored to facilitate these important discussions. Her scholarship includes conceptual and empirical work on sustainability, corporate responsibility, organizational authenticity, social entrepreneurship and change, business ethics, and humanistic management. Her work advances an understanding of key dynamics and timely opportunities for positive transformation among organizations, organizational leadership, and stakeholders in global social issue contexts. Published in influential management journals and edited volumes, her research has been recognized with awards and honors. She currently serves as Associate Editor at Business and Society Review, member of the governance team of the Social Issues in Management Division of the Academy of Management, and has contributed in founding leadership roles within the International Humanistic Management Association. Erica strives to steward humanistic management and sustainable development in honor of humanity and nature and in celebration of future generations, including her three children.
