TOPIC

What is the purpose of business and value creation? Our understanding at the IÖW is that their purpose is to benefit society and promote sustainable development. It is therefore not about maximizing profits, but about contributing to a good life with products and services. When companies meet the needs of their customers, they are creating value. However, their business activities can have an impact on other groups of people, society, and nature – both positive and negative. 

That is why, since our foundation in 1985, we at the IÖW have been committed to ensuring that companies create value in harmony with human rights, democracy and environmental protection. Our research and consultancy aim to support companies in developing and implementing sustainability-oriented strategies, business models and value chains. 

Together with (pioneering) companies, civil society and business associations, we develop innovative approaches to sustainability management, corporate responsibility and the circular economy. In this way, we show companies and their partners ways to address social requirements, political developments and sociotechnical innovations in order to operate in line with sustainability goals. Our transdisciplinary projects deal with topics such as sustainability reporting, corporate digital responsibility and circular business models. We provide impetus for the socio-ecological transformation of and by companies – and consider all stakeholders involved in value creation. 

How do business models, products, and services need to be designed so that value chains can become more sustainable? To this end, we develop guidelines and tools for corporate practice as well as recommendations for changing the political framework conditions. 

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