For over 50 years, there has been a debate about the purpose of corporations in our society. It’s a debate that has sometimes been based on false choices, simplistically pitting profit against other interests. All companies need to be profitable to survive. And all firms, no matter what their business, need to consider more than the narrow economic interest of their stockholders to thrive.

But only some companies have chosen to be, and to label themselves as, purpose-driven.

In yesterday’s Sustainability Watch, I had the privilege of speaking with Vivek Bapat, Senior Vice President, Purpose and Brand Experience, at SAP, and Elizabeth Roscoe, Global Head, Corporate Brand & Purpose at Western Union, who provided the perspective of senior leaders at successful purpose-driven global companies. They were joined by Thomas Singer, a Principal Researche