Social Responsibility

Space missions’ remote-work lessons, fast fashion’s untenable business model, and sustainable work’s progressive roots.

Much of the fashion industry trades on a culture of disposability. It’s not sustainable, and retail norms must change.

New research highlights that sustainable management is a fundamental business practice, not just a modern trend.

People can take meaningful steps to become more effective allies for members of marginalized groups at work.

Companies must carefully weigh potential outcomes before taking a public stance on important but controversial issues.

The next wave of social innovation is coming from employee-led initiatives.

Leaders must embrace creativity and innovative thinking to help both their organizations and the planet thrive.

New research has identified the factors in supply chains that drive suppliers to divert orders to subcontractors.

Increasing visibility into supply chain practices takes work but can lead to new market opportunities.

Creative approaches to setting prices and managing costs can make responsible business practices financially viable.

Companies are setting big goals on climate change. Why don’t more advocate for climate policies?

The financial industry’s use of ownership and board membership statistics to measure diversity is insufficient.

Conventional ways of making strategy are inadequate amid uncertainty and complexity. Today, it requires moral purpose.

Cutting carbon emissions in heavy transport and industrial heat can be done profitably.

Female executives can command bigger pay increases than men by switching jobs.

To meaningfully support Pride, companies need to focus on employees, customers, and the community.

Nudges for less-biased hiring, networking to drive inclusion, and defusing opposition to racial equity initiatives.

The pandemic has upended business. Let’s consider how managers should respond.

The Special Report in MIT SMR‘s Summer 2021 issue looks at how businesses can support a more inclusive workplace culture. Also in this issue: ways to communicate — and disagree — using candor and logic, business’s role in national emergencies, how volunteering helps workers’ skills, and changing the rules to suit turbulent times.

Knowing why racial equity initiatives provoke opposition can help you lead employees through change.