Corporate Purpose and Firm Strategy

48 Pages Posted: 25 Feb 2025

Date Written: December 31, 2024

Abstract

This paper explores the relevance of corporate purpose to strategy research. Corporate purpose can be conceived as a shared understanding of why an organization exists, made real by the beliefs of employees and tangible actions by firm leaders. While it has a long history within organization theory, law, and finance, purpose has received relatively less attention within the field of strategy. This essay argues that incorporating purpose into strategy research is both consistent with the view from practice and can open up the field to new channels by which firms compete and survive. It also outlines potential areas for future research, including links between corporate purpose and strategy at the individual, firm, and industry level.

Suggested Citation

Gartenberg, Claudine Madras, Corporate Purpose and Firm Strategy (December 31, 2024). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=5080065 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.5080065

Claudine Madras Gartenberg (Contact Author)

Wharton School, University of Penn ( email )

2035 Steinberg-Dietrich Hall
3620 Locust Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19104
United States
2158987755 (Phone)

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