This paper was created with the intention of analyzing, through a review of the relevant literature, the evolution of the traditional dichotomy between profit and social impact, within the innovation strategies of companies. The growing uncertainty that characterizes the economic situation in which the entire planet finds itself, together with an ever-increasing attention and sensitivity of consumers towards conscious and ethical purchasing choices, make it impossible, in fact, for companies operating in the global economic landscape, to embrace a teleological logic, in which, the company is excluded from any social responsibility and aspires to profit as the ultimate and exclusive objective of its actions. Indeed, in this kind of context, the traditional opposition that placed profit and the impact of corporate initiatives on surrounding communities and societies on either side of the scales is gradually fading away to make way for a renewed awareness on the part of corporate management regarding how, the achievement of long-term profitability, cannot disregard the activity of reflecting on the reason for its existence and the contribution it wants to make to the planet and society through its actions. This new need for companies to position themselves as a fulcrum for the creation of shared value for society will be analyzed by probing the concept of Purpose, i.e., the existential purpose of an organization, which defines the position it takes on ethical and socially relevant issues. This in-depth study will be instrumental in enlivening the discussion on the role of these concerns, which go beyond the mere pursuit of profit, in influencing the innovation processes implemented by companies. In particular, three approaches to innovation will be analyzed that, because of their characteristics, enable companies to achieve competitive advantage while generating, at the same time, social and environmental impact. In doing so, it will be possible to argue how innovation and its management can be a key to overcoming the traditional dichotomy between profit and impact, which in the traditional view has often deterred companies from pursuing objectives that circumvent economic aspects. The possibility of combining, through strategic innovation of the company's Business Model, the aforementioned aspects, opens a range of infinite possibilities in defining the ways in which, companies can profitably fulfill their crucial role in the pursuit of sustainable development.
Il presente elaborato nasce con l’intento di analizzare, attraverso una revisione della letteratura in merito, l’evoluzione della tradizionale dicotomia tra profitto ed impatto sociale, all’interno delle strategie di innovazione delle imprese. La crescente incertezza che caratterizza la situazione economica in cui versa l’intero pianeta, unitamente ad una sempre maggiore attenzione e sensibilità dei consumatori nei riguardi di scelte d’acquisto consapevoli ed etiche, rendono impossibile, infatti, per le imprese operanti nel panorama economico mondiale, abbracciare una logica teleologica, nella quale, l’impresa è esclusa da qualsiasi responsabilità sociale e ambisca al profitto come obbiettivo ultimo ed esclusivo del suo agire. In questo tipo di contesto, infatti, la tradizionale contrapposizione che collocava ai due lati della bilancia il profitto e l’impatto delle iniziative aziendali su comunità e società circostanti, sta gradualmente sfumando, per fare spazio ad una rinnovata consapevolezza da parte del management delle aziende riguardo a come, il conseguimento di una reddittività a lungo termine, non possa prescindere dall’attività di riflettere sul perché della propria esistenza e sul contributo che vuole dare al pianeta e alla società attraverso la sua azione. Questa nuova esigenza delle aziende di posizionarsi come fulcro per la creazione di valore condiviso per la società verrà analizzata scandagliando il concetto di Purpose, ossia lo scopo esistenziale di un’organizzazione, il quale definisce la posizione assunta dalla stessa su tematiche etiche e di rilevanza sociale. L’approfondimento in questione sarà strumentale ad animare la discussione sul ruolo di queste preoccupazioni, che vanno oltre alla mera ricerca del profitto, nell’influenzare i processi di innovazione messi in atto dalle aziende. In particolare, verranno analizzati tre approcci all’innovazione che, per via delle loro caratteristiche, permettono alle aziende di conseguire un vantaggio competitivo, generando al contempo, impatto sociale ed ambientale. Così facendo, sarà possibile argomentare come l’innovazione e il suo management possano rappresentare una chiave per superare la tradizionale dicotomia tra profitto e impatto, che nella visione tradizionale ha spesso dissuaso le aziende alla persecuzione di obiettivi che eludessero gli aspetti economici. La possibilità di coniugare, tramite un’innovazione strategica del Business Model dell’azienda, i già menzionati aspetti, apre una gamma di infinite possibilità nel definire le modalità con cui, le imprese, possano con profitto assolvere al cruciale ruolo che le spetta nel perseguimento di uno sviluppo sostenibile.
Purpose-Driven Innovation: L'impatto come driver di processi innovativi
ZELASCHI, MATTEO
2023/2024
Abstract
This paper was created with the intention of analyzing, through a review of the relevant literature, the evolution of the traditional dichotomy between profit and social impact, within the innovation strategies of companies. The growing uncertainty that characterizes the economic situation in which the entire planet finds itself, together with an ever-increasing attention and sensitivity of consumers towards conscious and ethical purchasing choices, make it impossible, in fact, for companies operating in the global economic landscape, to embrace a teleological logic, in which, the company is excluded from any social responsibility and aspires to profit as the ultimate and exclusive objective of its actions. Indeed, in this kind of context, the traditional opposition that placed profit and the impact of corporate initiatives on surrounding communities and societies on either side of the scales is gradually fading away to make way for a renewed awareness on the part of corporate management regarding how, the achievement of long-term profitability, cannot disregard the activity of reflecting on the reason for its existence and the contribution it wants to make to the planet and society through its actions. This new need for companies to position themselves as a fulcrum for the creation of shared value for society will be analyzed by probing the concept of Purpose, i.e., the existential purpose of an organization, which defines the position it takes on ethical and socially relevant issues. This in-depth study will be instrumental in enlivening the discussion on the role of these concerns, which go beyond the mere pursuit of profit, in influencing the innovation processes implemented by companies. In particular, three approaches to innovation will be analyzed that, because of their characteristics, enable companies to achieve competitive advantage while generating, at the same time, social and environmental impact. In doing so, it will be possible to argue how innovation and its management can be a key to overcoming the traditional dichotomy between profit and impact, which in the traditional view has often deterred companies from pursuing objectives that circumvent economic aspects. The possibility of combining, through strategic innovation of the company's Business Model, the aforementioned aspects, opens a range of infinite possibilities in defining the ways in which, companies can profitably fulfill their crucial role in the pursuit of sustainable development.File | Dimensione | Formato | |
---|---|---|---|
Tesi Di Laurea Magistrale - Matteo Zelaschi 526918.pdf
accesso aperto
Dimensione
2.9 MB
Formato
Adobe PDF
|
2.9 MB | Adobe PDF | Visualizza/Apri |
È consentito all'utente scaricare e condividere i documenti disponibili a testo pieno in UNITESI UNIPV nel rispetto della licenza Creative Commons del tipo CC BY NC ND.
Per maggiori informazioni e per verifiche sull'eventuale disponibilità del file scrivere a: unitesi@unipv.it.
https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14239/27869