Fresh Examples of Creating Shared Value

Ok, so last year’s AQA A2 Level Business Studies CSR research theme is done and dusted and the BUSS4 results are out. But maybe you are a student who didn’t get the grade you needed and are going to have another stab in January. And let’s bear in mind that in any case CSR is a core part of the ‘external environment’ and specifically the social aspect and will therefore be of relevance in Section B essays of the future. With that in mind, here is an article I spotted via Michael Porter’s twitter feed that is well worth reading.

Published earlier this month in the New York Times, Steve Lohr’s piece provides more explanation of Michael Porter’s concept of Creating Shared Value. But what I particularly like is 3 fresh examples of real shared value initiatives, with comment and insight from senior executives. These include:
* General Electric’s moves to develop more fuel efficient appliances in response to feedback from customers and potential customers
* IBM’s move in to computing solutions that play in integral part in improving the quality of public services in major cities like Rio De Janeiro
* Indian telecoms firms Intuit’s provision of a free text message service to rural farmers to advise of the latest market prices for crops

A very interesting read about this recent development in strategic business thinking, that goes to show that in some instances maybe it isn’t all that recent afterall.