Global challenges as opportunity to transform business for good

Abstract

Using insights from Peter Drucker’s Theory of the Business framework, the authors show that global challenges such as pandemics and climate change are contributing to a critical misalignment between businesses and their increasingly complex external environments, leading to a growing malaise in many organizations. Central to this misalignment are seven legacy assumptions which no longer serve businesses effectively. Seven new assumptions better reflect today’s external environment and point to how businesses can thrive (“Do Well”) by making a positive difference in society (“Do Good.”) The authors propose a set of change management methods and tools along with specific steps that leaders and organizations can take to transform their businesses into what they define as Positive Institutions.