As is tradition this Global Voice magazine summer issue brings together the talented winning, runner-up and finalist student articles in the CoBS 2022 student CSR article competition – now, the fifth year – to sit side-by-side with insights gleaned from the published research of our professors from the now eight member schools of this alliance dedicated to responsible leadership education.

No time to waste!

Welcome to this special summer solstice issue of Global Voice magazine #22 and delighted to publish this special issue of the Council on Business & Society quarterly magazine for your reading and download.

We’re honoured to kick off the magazine with Prof. Adrian Zicari, ESSEC Business School-CoBS, co-authoring the editorial with special guest Camille Putois, CEO of the B4IG (Business For Inclusive Growth) initiative that brings together leading global companies, subject matter experts and academia to work on strategies to develop future business for the good of the widest number of citizens and the planet.

We also feature a special spotlight on Prof. Mark Smith, Dean of Stellenbosch Business School, South Africa – Africa’s leading higher education institution and the latest member school of the CoBS alliance. A focal point of the highest importance in the coming years, Mark outlines the stakes at hand for the continent and the need for education to play an essential role in promoting diversity, responsible leadership and responsible business practices.

In this issue, a host of insights and research-based content hosted in two sections: Business, Society and Planet. In Business, Society the contributors tackle the impact of Artificial Intelligence on the workplace, wellbeing and society; coopetition and how business rivals can become allies for a better world; the impact of political populism on climate action; how to deal with negative workplace emotions and aim at the positive; the role of business schools in building back better; and the phenomenon of presenteeism in companies that ultimately leads to poorer performance for firms – and poorer health for its employees.

In the Planet section, you’ll find insights on how corporations can become more sustainable; an exploration of greenflation and the challenges facing our transition to a green economy; the stock exchange and building corporate value for potential investors through CSR; a spotlight on the ground-breaking ISE sustainability index in Brazil by one of its founders, Prof. Mario Monzoni; how to cope with the barriers in the way of reaching Net-Zero; and practitioner insight from ESG consulting firm Ksapa on designing solutions for resilient raw materials supply.

In addition, our CoBS design team provides its usual beautiful graphics and our latest wry take on modern times with our opening double-page cartoon. And if you wish to apply for one or several of the top-ranked degree programmes offered by our CoBS member schools, outlines of these and contact details can be found throughout the magazine. Apply now – and positively change both your life and those of others!

Do what you have to do

And finally, a word on the latest Global Voice magazine front cover and its accompanying subtitle. For some of us, the strawberry may be associated with June and the long summer months – succulent, sun-drenched and tasty. This time, this gift of nature looks in a pretty bad way. “Food”, as it were, “for thought” in today’s chaotic context of supplies of essential necessities and the probable food risks for the wider world that conflict and intolerance in Europe may bring us. So interpret the cover wisely – and do what you have to do. No time to waste!          

Enjoy your reading! Tom Gamble, Council on Business & Society