An important shift may be under way in corporate America. The largest US business group has replaced the long-held view that maximising shareholder value is the defining corporate goal with a more inclusive vision that takes account of other stakeholders. Explicitly elevating broader interests such as those of employees, the environment and customers is intended to set a new standard for companies across the US. This welcome, wider approach to corporate purpose should create a more sustainable and inclusive form of capitalism. Business must now show it is ready to put the change into practice.
美国企业界可能正在发生重大变革。美国最大的商业团体已放弃一个长期坚持的观点——即企业的根本目标是股东价值最大化——取而代之的是一个同时考虑其他利益相关方的、更具包容性的愿景。明确提高员工、环境和客户的利益等更广泛利益的地位，旨在为全美企业确立一个新标准。以这种受欢迎、且更广泛的方式制定的企业目标应该能够创造出一种更具可持续性和包容性的资本主义。企业现在必须表明，其已准备好将这一变革付诸实施。