Research

Research of the Department of Business-Society Management examines the mutual impact of business and society upon each other. The broad objective is to reach a clear understanding of the challenges and opportunities arising at the interface of business and society. Strategic and sustainable solutions are the aim.

Multidisciplinary research focuses on several areas:

• The relationship between business and society: Issues around sustainability, philanthropy, international relations, reputation.
• Behavioural ethics: Issues around decision-making, ethics, leadership.
• Legitimacy: Issues around governance, stakeholder well-being, accountability, ecology.

Centres and Experts

Much of the high profile, relevant research of the B-SM Department is focused in Centres of Expertise and other projects. These centres encourage network building among scholars who are working in the many research themes of the department, providing cutting-edge research, ideas publications related to business and society management. Support for this research may come from companies, the European government, grants or sponsored Chairs.

Some notable Centres of Expertise associated with B-SM faculty members:

Centre for Corporate Eco-Transformation

Scientific Director: Prof. dr. Gail Whiteman, Ecorys Chair in Sustainability and Climate Change

The broad aim of this Centre is to reach a clearer understanding of the management challenges posed by climate change and search for credible management solutions to achieving global sustainability.

Corporate Communication Centre (CCC)

Director: Prof. dr. Cees van Riel

This Centre is focused on corporate communication ass a management instrument that harmonises all consciously used forms of internal and external communication as effectively and efficiently as possible in order to achieve a positive corporate reputation.

Erasmus Centre of Behavioural Ethics

Scientific Director: Prof. dr. David De Cremer

The ECBE fosters and promotes fundamental (social) psychological research in behavioural ethics that has implications for a wide variety of fields such as management, law, and social sciences in general.

Erasmus Centre for Strategic Philanthropy

Scientific Director: Prof. dr. Lucas Meijs
Director: Charles T. Erkelens

The ECSP aims to contribute to the overall performance and effectiveness of the philanthropy sector by building knowledge, capabilities and tools through rigorous academic research, education, and encouraging interaction and debate about philanthropy and its impact on society.