Theodore Papalexopoulos Sustainability Dialogues: A forum uniting practitioners and academics on sustainability and business transformation.

The inaugural event of the Theodore Papalexopoulos Sustainability Dialogues Series kicked off at Alba Graduate Business School with a thought-provoking keynote by Professor Christopher Wickert, a renowned expert in corporate sustainability, Chair of Corporate Social Responsibility at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and a General Editor at the Financial Times listed Journal of Management Studies academic journal.

The new series aims to bridge the gap between academic research and real-world business practices, providing a platform for insightful discussions on the evolving landscape of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

In his keynote address, titled “What is Needed to Take CSR into the 21st Century: A Business Case for Ethics, or an Ethics Case for Business?”, Professor Wickert explored the changing role of CSR in the modern business world. He emphasized that CSR can no longer be seen as a voluntary strategy for differentiation but must become a core component of business operations. By aligning business purpose with meaningful real-world impact, companies can ensure that CSR becomes a business necessity rather than a mere voluntary effort.

The event highlighted two key developments shaping the future of CSR. First, the Return of the State in CSR: As skepticism about voluntary corporate efforts grows, particularly within the European Union, governments are taking a more active role in driving CSR through regulation. The European Green Deal and climate neutrality goals have led the European Commission to advocate for mandatory CSR actions, signaling a shift from voluntary corporate responsibility to more stringent government-led measures. Second, the Influence of Emerging Markets: As global economic powers like China and India rise, they are reshaping the definition and practice of CSR. With these markets gaining more influence, businesses must adapt to varying CSR expectations and navigate the diverse challenges posed by these regions.

Professor Wickert also noted the shift in focus from the financial impacts of CSR to its broader social and ecological outcomes. This reflects a growing trend of measuring the tangible, real-world effects of CSR initiatives, highlighting the increasing importance of non-financial performance indicators.

The event provided a dynamic platform for discussing these critical developments in CSR, offering invaluable insights for businesses aiming to align their practices with the future of sustainability. With the continued success of the Theodore Papalexopoulos Sustainability Dialogues Series, Alba will continue to foster critical conversations on sustainability, corporate responsibility, and the future role of businesses in shaping a more sustainable world.

This inaugural event marks the beginning of an ongoing series dedicated to tackling sustainability challenges and driving real-world impact through informed, evidence-based discussions.

Learn more aboutt About the Theodore Papalexopoulos Endowed Chair in Sustainability and The Theodore Papalexopoulos Sustainability Dialogues here