Diverse organisational models to address economic, environmental and social challenges

  • 28th Jul 2022

Examples and implications of alternatives to mainstream business

The report is designed to be a starting point for further actions and discussion between stakeholders. There is a need for far greater awareness of examples like this, as well as easier access to practical information and support on different ways to structure organisations and businesses. This lack of information also restricts useful academic analysis of what works and how.

This kind of work has been done before, in different ways. However, the potential and impact of a more diverse set of business and organisational models has, in the UK at least, been of marginal interest. This has been particularly obvious in recent international business discussions about discovering and embedding the ‘purpose’ or ‘mission’ of a firm, or using a wider range of sustainability indicators (such as those used to demonstrate environment, social and governance (ESG) performance). Such discussions have disregarded, or lacked knowledge of, examples of structuring economic activity that already work in this way. It was fascinating, if slightly dispiriting, in the masterclass to hear comments such as, “Why did we not know about these examples?”

This report was published by the Friends Probident Foundation

Andrea Westall
Advisor to Friends Provident Foundation

Andrea is an economist, public policy consultant and sustainability strategist. She has worked in public policy design and implementation at local, national and international levels, in areas such as innovation and science policy, social economy, inclusive and sustainable economies, sustainable development, corporate law, employment and social care. Andrea also has wide-ranging practical experience of working in business, social economy organisations and community initiatives. From 2020 to 2022 she was an Advisor to Friends Provident Foundation (FPF) on the theme of ownership, power and control, and has represented FPF on the Corporate Advisory Group of the British Academy initiative, The Future of the Corporation.

 

Friends Provident Foundation is an independent charity that makes grants and uses its endowment towards a fair and sustainable economic system that serves society. They connect, fund, invest and share learning to shape an economy that works for all.