The Company Citizen

Business doing good is doing good business; this book learns from the era where governments ruled the world, pre-globalisation, and where business looked after itself, where issues like climate change, resource depletion and even poverty and hunger were not thought to be the responsibility of business. The Company Citizen concludes that not only are these key issues for business today but that the world will not be able to manage these issues without the active participation - even leadership - of business. Aware of the shortcomings of both government and civil society the author argues that environmental sustainability, economic and social inclusion and the better management of resources are all key issues for business and that it makes good business sense to manage them better. This book examines the case for the company citizen on a global, national and community level working alongside other. Never has the conscientious company citizen, as envisaged by 19th century Quaker philanthropists, been more needed; and never has that business case, one that justifies a long-term commitment to practical corporate behaviour for good, been more clear. Drawing attention both to the businesses that are taking the lead and those who are holding us back, the author concludes that only by involving business can we tackle the great issues of the day - and survive, as communities, nation and planet.

Tom Levitt is a writer and consultant on 'using the tools of business to create public good' and a former Member of Parliament. He is a science graduate, former school teacher and a serial charity chair, with extensive experience of working in community and international development. In 2011, Tom was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by the University of Derby.

Dedication, List of Figures and Tables, References, Author Biography, Preface, Abbreviations, Acknowledgements, 1 The Case for Company Citizenship, The Moral Case, The Political Case, The Business Case, The Internal Duty - to Owner and Market, The External Duty - to Taxpayers and Stakeholders, The Global Duty - to Communities and the Future, 2 The World is Ready, Food and Hunger, Climate Change, Water, War, Migration, and Refugees, Other Global Issues, Brexit, 3 Britain is Ready, Inequality, Poverty in Britain, Self Employment, Foodbanks, Public Services, Outsourcing, 4 Business is Ready, Purpose, Values and Mission, The Circular Economy, The Inclusive Economy, Getting Away with It, 5 Stakeholders are Ready, The Shareholder, The Investor, The Customer, The Workforce, Employee Ownership, 'Corporate Social Responsibility', 6 The Supply Chain is Ready, Modern Slavery, Bribery and Corruption, Human Rights, Employment Rights, Prompt Payment, Resource Issues, 7 Communities are Ready, Jobs and Skills, Local Sourcing, The Social Value Act, The People, Engaging with the Community, Cash & Kind, Time & Talent, Head & Heart, Health, Measuring the Difference, 8 The Future is Ready, Agg and Frag, Going Forward - Sustainability, Going Forward - Growing Markets, Going Forward - Responsibility, Or a Power for Ill? Take-Away: A Company Citizenship Code, Bibliography, Index