In Good Conscience

When a customer, employee, or investor is faced with a choice of companies amidst a sea of competitors, they increasingly consider how responsible that organization is. Customers want to buy ethical and sustainable; employees want to feel a sense of purpose at work, and investors need reassurance that their investments are good for the long term. To be competitive and valuable to society, firms need to develop an organizational conscience that drives key strategic decisions and spurs sustainable and responsible innovation. 

In this book, the authors argue that organizations need to think critically about their role and to use their conscience to guide actions. With plenty of concrete suggestions based on substantive research, it shows how firms can reconcile the competing interests of stakeholders, create an organization that is fair, open and transparent and do the right thing while building a profitable business.

With integrated videos and international case studies featuring multinational companies as well as small firms, this book explains how firms can make the transition to becoming conscientious.

“The authors of this thought-provoking book advocate the importance of corporate conscience and call for a move away from corporate values to action-oriented corporate principles … . This book has insights that are fascinating – juggling concepts and practical solutions.” (Christopher Walker, impact Investor, impact-investor.com, June 30, 2023)

"Humanity faces two big and escalating challenges: climate change and social inequality. In their book, In Good Conscience, Professors Ind and Iglesias argue that it’s time for business to transcend corporate social responsibility and to step up and play a key role in addressing these major global challenges. Moreover, their timely and practical guide demonstrates convincingly that doing the right thing also happens to be good business." (Alan Jope, CEO Unilever)

"This is the first book to take a serious look at the role of conscience in business ethics. It will stimulate much conversation about the role of individuals and organizations in creating ethical businesses." (R Edward Freeman, Professor, The Darden School, University of Virginia)

"The gravity of the intertwined environmental and social crisis demands that we emerge from what Veblen described as the “predatory phase” of ourdevelopment into a new era,  in which we make use of our capacities to recognize reality and cooperate to address its challenges. In Good Conscience is timely and on the mark, recognizing both the necessity for business to earn its operating license and the power of conscience to help us plant the seeds of change that can yield a thriving planet and human culture." (Vincent Stanley, Director, Patagonia Philosophy)

Nicholas Ind is a Professor at Kristiania University College, Oslo. Before he became an academic Nicholas ran Icon Medialab’s brand consultancy arm in Sweden, had his own branding consultancy in the UK and was a Director of a design group. The author of thirteen books, Nicholas is a Visiting Professor at ESADE, Barcelona and Edinburgh Napier University. He was a founder member of the Medinge Group - an international branding think tank.

Oriol Iglesias is an Associate Professor and Head of the Marketing Department at ESADE Business School. An accomplished author, his research has been published in top international academic journals. Furthermore, he has consulted and/or developed custom in-company training for worldwide leading firms from many different sectors. He is member of the think tank Medinge Group.