Lynn Stout, Pro-sociality, and the Campaign for Corporate Enlightenment

Abstract

In this brief essay, I want to call something Lynn Stout was passionate about: building a better account (both theoretical and empirical) of human nature and motivation. This was the subject of a book that extended well beyond the corporate world (Cultivating Conscience [2011]) and was implicit in her most complete set of thoughts about corporate governance, The Shareholder Value Myth (2012). Lynn understood that such a behavioral account was needed to support her theory of corporate purpose. The other CONVIVIUM contributions say little about this aspect of her work, so I am bringing her thoughts about human motivation frontstage.