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Characterizing the mission statements of benefit corporations: Empirical evidence from Italy

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  • Giorgio Mion
  • Cristian Rolando Loza Adaui
  • Angelo Bonfanti

Abstract

In 2015, Italy introduced a new legal form—“benefit corporation” (società benefit)—that provides legal status to companies that have one or more common benefit objectives in addition to the profit‐seeking goal. Italian benefit corporations are obligated by law to operate in a responsible, sustainable, and transparent way and to include the interests of different stakeholders in their corporate strategy. This study examines the Italian case by applying textual statistical analysis on benefit corporations' public mission statements using the IRaMuTeQ software. Performing hierarchical cluster analysis and correspondence factor analysis identifies the “benefit” concept emerging from the mission statements in terms of promotion of individual skills, development of a new business model, and service to society. This study contributes to the debate on the content of mission statements by giving empirical evidence about this new form of business, and it provides some practical implications for managers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers.

Suggested Citation

  • Giorgio Mion & Cristian Rolando Loza Adaui & Angelo Bonfanti, 2021. "Characterizing the mission statements of benefit corporations: Empirical evidence from Italy," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(4), pages 2160-2172, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:30:y:2021:i:4:p:2160-2172
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.2738
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    Cited by:

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    2. Dmitry A. Ruban & Natalia N. Yashalova, 2022. "Corporate Web Positioning as a Strategic Communication Tool in Agriculture," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-16, July.
    3. Patrizia Gazzola & Audrey Paterson & Stefano Amelio & Matteo Ferioli, 2022. "Certified B Corporations and Innovation: Crowdfunding as a Tool for Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-15, December.
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    5. Escudero, Stephanie B. & Jestratijevic, Iva & Short, Jeremy C. & Wolfe, Marcus T., 2023. "B Corp certification in the age of fast fashion: Using hierarchical clustering and correspondence factor analysis to highlight social entrepreneurial advancement in the fashion industry," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 20(C).

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