Business Execs Least Likely to Contribute to Society :: The Daily Stat :: September 22, 2009 :: HarvardBusiness.org
SEPTEMBER 22, 2009 Business Execs Least Likely to Contribute to Society Just 21% of Americans think business executives contribute "a lot" to society's well-being. Those thought to contribute more than suits included lawyers (23%), artists (31%), and journalists (38%). The top three contributors: the military
(84%), teachers (77%), and scientists (70%).
Will this ever change? It seems like business execs need to have an extreme makeover - possibly by starting with ideas of Social Capitalism - or how businesses can work with non-profits and other groups to further ideas that are in society's best interests. Some ad campaigns are hinting at companies moving in this direction. For example, Wal-Mart's recent commercials featuring stats and case studies on their investments into education for Hispanics is definitely noteworthy; however, I fear this is not intended to up the image of execs or business in general - but rather to gain marketshare with the Latino market. If anyone has other recent examples of businesses seeking to make an impact on society's problems, send me a direct message.
