The hottest Corporate Responsibility Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Business Topics

Scale Ruins Everything

Cold Water • 19 implied HN points • 30 Sep 24
💼 Business Venture Capital Startups Investment Trends Economic Impact Corporate Responsibility
  1. Venture capital funding has led to many startups chasing rapid growth, even if their ideas could harm society. This can create big problems as companies scale up without considering the impact.
  2. Most startups fail, but VCs invest in many hoping to find a few successful ones. This pressure for growth can push companies to make decisions that negatively affect their communities.
  3. Founders should think about how their ideas might lead to negative outcomes at scale. It's important to consider whether every idea needs to become a billion-dollar business and what that means for society.

The Tech Industry’s Playbook To Prevent Regulation

After Babel • 647 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Social media Regulation Corporate Responsibility Child safety Legislation
  1. The tech industry often blames users for any harm their products cause. They argue that it's up to individuals to control their usage rather than taking responsibility themselves.
  2. Tech companies have developed tools like parental controls, but these often fail to make a real impact on screen time. Instead, they shift the responsibility to parents, making it seem like it's their job to manage their kids' online behavior.
  3. Legislation like the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) tries to hold tech companies accountable while also giving parents some control. This is important because it recognizes that tech companies have a duty to ensure their products don't harm kids.

Mark Zuckerberg's commitment to free speech is as deep as Exxon's commitment to clean energy

The Future, Now and Then • 198 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Political speech Social media Content Moderation Political Influence Corporate Responsibility
  1. Meta's commitment to free speech and content moderation is often temporary and depends on political convenience. They respond to crises when pressured but quickly revert to leniency when the heat is off.
  2. Zuckerberg's recent shift in moderation policies suggests a move towards cheaper, less effective community-driven solutions instead of rigorous fact-checking, potentially increasing harm towards marginalized groups.
  3. There's a growing debate about whether big tech companies deserve special treatment from the government, with some arguing that they should follow the same rules as everyone else despite their influence.

There’s actually a good reason work is so family unfriendly

Sex and the State • 23 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Work Culture Corporate Responsibility Economics Fertility
  1. Work culture is not very friendly to families, which affects fertility rates. It often targets women as if they are the only ones responsible for family matters.
  2. Business strategies that claim to be 'family-friendly' are often not profitable, meaning companies may avoid them to keep costs down.
  3. Finding solutions for work-life balance really requires looking beyond just employer policies; it involves understanding broader economic trends and societal changes.

Big Oil's Renewable Retreat: A Step Back in Time

Adetokunbo Sees • 104 implied HN points • 14 Dec 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Energy Policy Renewable Energy Climate change Corporate Responsibility Environmental Impact
  1. Big oil companies like BP, Shell, and Equinor are cutting back on their investments in renewable energy. This means they are spending less money on projects like wind farms.
  2. Shareholders are pressuring these companies because of losses in their renewable energy sectors. They are feeling the impact of high costs and project failures.
  3. This reduction in investment could slow down progress on fighting climate change, making it harder to meet global energy goals. Governments could help by offering incentives for these companies to keep investing in renewables.
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It's Companies' Fault we don't want to Return to the Office

startupdreams • 1165 implied HN points • 17 Jun 23
💼 Business Workplace culture Remote work Corporate Responsibility
  1. Open office floor plans were introduced to reduce costs but can be detrimental to employees' performance.
  2. Working from home brought autonomy and productivity to many employees, making them reluctant to return to the office.
  3. Companies that force employees back to the office may face consequences like decreased productivity and losing top talent.

Fired for Faith

Who is Robert Malone • 22 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Workplace Issues Religious freedom Political Climate Corporate Responsibility
  1. Many people are facing job loss because of their personal beliefs or values. This issue is becoming more common in workplaces across the country.
  2. The corporate focus on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) is causing tension, as individuals feel pressured to conform to new expectations that clash with their own morals.
  3. People are starting to realize the importance of standing up for their convictions. It’s crucial to speak out against unfair practices to protect jobs and personal beliefs.

Think Water And Waves, Not Just Fish

Surfing the Future • 59 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
💼 Business Sustainability Market Dynamics Corporate Responsibility Environmental Impact
  1. Focus on the broader market landscapes rather than just individual businesses ("fish") in terms of sustainability and corporate responsibility.
  2. Anita Roddick's legacy through The Body Shop highlights the importance of corporate responsibility agendas in the business realm.
  3. The collapse of The Body Shop's UK arm underlines the need for market evolution to promote sustainable practices among businesses.

A Tentative Manifesto for the Future of Organizations — 5

Pluriversal Planet • 117 implied HN points • 25 Oct 23
💼 Business Organizational development Economic Shifts Corporate Responsibility Future of work
  1. Organizations can be envisioned as living root bridges, nurtured and guided to bring about wholeness in societies.
  2. Wayfinders play a crucial role in shaping the future by imagining new possibilities and transcending old paradigms.
  3. Transition towards a new organizational order requires honoring the past, navigating liminality, imagining new systems, and integrating emergent practices.

You Can't Be "Green" and Restrict Repair

Fight to Repair • 39 implied HN points • 21 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Sustainability Repairability Corporate Responsibility E-Waste Tech industry
  1. Apple aims for sustainability but restricts repairability, showing a nuanced approach to environmental impact.
  2. Mounting public pressure is pushing companies towards repair-friendly policies despite initial resistance.
  3. Google faces criticism for lack of repair options for Pixel Watches, while offering repair parts for Pixel Fold, highlighting differing approaches to repairability.

✅ Monday briefing: Greenwashing, LinkedIn boom, Twitter affiliation tag, podcasting matures, pitching is a bitch, management function, comms tech trends, AI tool research, wellbeing in PR, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jan 23
💼 Business Marketing Public Relations Communications Technology Corporate Responsibility
  1. Greenwashing is a big issue, where companies falsely claim to be eco-friendly. The UK will be checking how accurate these green claims really are.
  2. LinkedIn is becoming more popular as Twitter loses users. More people are engaging on LinkedIn, especially for job-related networking.
  3. The world of podcasting is stabilizing, with fewer new shows being launched. However, existing podcasts are still producing a lot of new episodes.

The Psychology of Fairness and Boycotts

Naveed Sheikh • 2 HN points • 08 Jul 24
💼 Business Consumer behavior Market Dynamics Corporate Responsibility Brand Management
  1. Consumers care about fairness in pricing decisions and may boycott brands if they perceive actions as unfair.
  2. Firms that aim to maximize profits should also consider the importance of maintaining a perception of fairness in their pricing strategies.
  3. Perceived egregiousness plays a crucial role in motivating consumers to participate in boycotts, highlighting the power of collective consumer action.

With eye on sustainability, EU agrees to new battery regulations - Week in Repair

Fight to Repair • 19 implied HN points • 18 Jan 23
🕹 Technology Sustainability Regulations Recycling Corporate Responsibility
  1. EU's new battery regulations aim to make devices more sustainable and durable by ensuring batteries are easier to remove and replace.
  2. Consumers will be educated on sustainability through carbon footprint declarations and information labels on batteries.
  3. Large companies will be held accountable for social and environmental risks associated with batteries, promoting reuse of materials and reducing negative impacts.

You are likely funding climate pollution, military weapons, and forced labor, here's how to divest.

As If We Were Staying • 1 implied HN point • 30 Apr 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Climate change Sustainability Environmental Policy Corporate Responsibility
  1. Many people unknowingly invest in companies that contribute to climate pollution and violence. This includes investments in fossil fuels, military weapons, and businesses involved in deforestation and forced labor.
  2. Our current economic system focuses too much on profit, often ignoring the social and environmental impacts. This has led to significant inequality and harm to society and the planet.
  3. To make better investment choices, look into where your money is going. Consider using more ethical funds and banks that support positive changes for the environment and society.

Complicated Cases, Spills, Sludges: Time to call Oil Giants to Order

Adetokunbo Sees • 1 HN point • 28 Apr 23
🌞 Climate & Environment Oil Spills Health Effects Legal issues Corporate Responsibility
  1. Oil giants often refuse to fully compensate for environmental and health damages caused by oil spills.
  2. Research shows that oil spills lead to severe health issues for workers, locals, and the environment.
  3. To address this issue, there should be a focus on transparency, legal accountability, and limiting oil production.

Seabed vs. Greed

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy Corporate Responsibility
  1. Seabed mining can harm delicate marine ecosystems, leading to habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. This impacts the health of ocean life and disrupts local fishing communities.
  2. Local fishermen in Mexico opposed a mining project because it threatened their livelihoods and marine life. The Mexican government rejected the mining permit, considering environmental risks.
  3. Odyssey Marine Exploration sued Mexico after the permit was denied, claiming it violated their rights. This case highlights the struggle between corporate interests and environmental protection.

Leading by Example: SC Johnson's Pioneering step in Corporate Environmental Responsibility

The Climate Historian • 0 implied HN points • 19 Jun 24
🌞 Climate & Environment Environmental Policy Corporate Responsibility Green Technology Climate change
  1. SC Johnson was the first company to stop using harmful CFCs in their products, showing how businesses can lead in protecting the environment.
  2. The decision to remove CFCs not only helped the environment but also saved the company money by using cheaper alternatives.
  3. Other industries, like oil and gas, can follow SC Johnson's example by taking proactive steps to reduce pollution and invest in cleaner technologies.

✅ Monday briefing: ad cartel, cookie reprieve, UK data registration, R&D tax relief, voice technologies, corporate digital responsibility, Socially Mobile dinner, and more...

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 05 Jul 21
💼 Business Marketing Advertising Public Relations Data Privacy Corporate Responsibility
  1. Big tech companies like Google and Facebook control a large portion of the ad market, generating about $296 billion in sales. This shows how much power these companies have in advertising.
  2. Businesses in the UK need to register for data protection and pay a fee. It's important for compliance with legal requirements.
  3. There is a growing interest in voice technology, with many UK consumers using voice assistants every day for various tasks. This trend shows the shift in how we interact with technology.