Can businesses truly drive social change, or are they merely paying lip service to social responsibility? 

In this episode of Think: Business Futures, we delve into the fascinating intersections of business, society, and social change. We explore the role of business in shaping our world, examining the different scales of capitalism, from small radical businesses to large corporations, and how each contributes to or detracts from social responsibility.

We also dive into the integration of social causes within business practices, the current state of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the future directions for creating a more equitable economic system.

Joining us are Professor Lucy Delap and Professor Carl Rhodes. Lucy is Professor of Modern British and Gender History at the University of Cambridge, and her work on radical businesses explores how small enterprises, particularly feminist bookshops and publishers, have historically contributed to social change.

Carl is Dean of the UTS Business School and author of the thought-provoking books Stinking Rich and Woke, which offers a critical examination of large corporations and their often cynical use of 'woke' causes. 

So how can businesses, big or small, genuinely contribute to social change?

Hosted and produced by Ali Aitken