Impact organizations facing uncertainty: governance, measurement, and action strategies

Purpose-driven companies, B Corps, and other impact-oriented organizations are at the heart of a movement to reconfigure corporate purpose (Ebrahim & Rangan, 2014; Haigh & Hoffman, 2012; Ferraro & Beunza, 2018). These models seek to articulate economic performance and societal contribution in a context where expectations of organizations are rapidly evolving (Gartenberg, Prat & Serafeim, 2019). However, they face persistent tensions: dilemmas between mission and profitability, risks of "purpose washing," instability of impact indicators, and increasing pressure from regulators and investors.

This track invites exploration of how impact organizations design, implement, and adjust their strategies in the face of these complex dynamics. It is intended for researchers in management science, organizational sociology, and institutional economics, as well as for practitioners involved in transforming business models.

Here are some questions, though not exhaustive, to guide contributions:

• How do impact organizations define what “impact” truly means? What criteria, values, or frameworks underpin this definition, and how does it evolve depending on the context?
• How do impact-driven businesses structure their strategy in an uncertain environment?
• What tensions arise in the balancing act between mission, profitability, and regulatory expectations? What forms of governance ensure consistency between social purpose, economic performance, and transparency requirements?
• How do employees, managers, customers, and partners participate in the concrete implementation of impact commitments? What mechanisms promote alignment between strategic vision and field practices?
• How are impact measurement tools and indicators evolving in the face of increasingly complex societal challenges?

This track is intended for management science researchers and practitioners who wish to share their experiences. It aims to produce an analytical and reflective vision of the dynamics of transformation at work in business schools, in the face of the growing demands of a world in transition.

Track chair:

Soukayna El Ouali (soukayna.elouali@edcparis.edu)

Romuald Moreira