Corporate Purpose and Personhood: An Introduction

Abstract

This Research Handbook contributes to the theoretical and practical understanding of corporate purpose and personhood, which has become the central debate of corporate law. It provides cutting-edge perspectives on the role of corporations in society and the nature of their rights and responsibilities. Featuring contributions from leading scholars, the Research Handbook invites readers to consider how a 21st century lens for viewing corporate purpose and personhood will leave us with a different picture and a new understanding. Chapters offer analysis of a wide range of topics related to corporate purpose and personhood, including corporate rights and separateness, shareholder primacy, stakeholder governance, benefit corporations, corporate social responsibility, and ESG.

Keywords: corporate governance, corporate purpose, personhood, constitutional rights, foreign & comparative corporation law, shareholder value maximization, social responsibility, CSR, ESG, social enterprise, shareholders, stakeholders

JEL Classification: G39, K22, L21