Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business
The Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative at Wharton
Elevating the impact of research on the Value of Sustainable Business
The Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative at the Wharton School (Wharton Impact) conducts evidence-based research on the gap between corporate and investors’ impacts on natural, social, and human capitals and their financial valuations. Informed by this research, we offer 30+ courses that MBA and undergraduate students can assemble into a major and concentration, over a dozen co-curricular experiences, four Executive certificate programs, as well as speaker series, workshops, and events, and an expanding array of industry and policy convenings. We advance Wharton’s best-in-class education of current and future leaders, equipping them with the tools, skills, and perspectives needed to navigate a more complex and interconnected world.
Areas of Focus
Conducting rigorous, practically-relevant research that investigates the gap between corporate and investors’ societal impacts and their financial valuations
Providing cutting-edge curricular and co-curricular programs to current and future business leaders
Informing strategy, innovation, valuations, investment flows, and policy through partnerships and programs
Research Insights
As the undisputed leader in published academic business research, Wharton delivers tangible solutions that transform business practices and grow economic opportunities for all.
Knowledge at Wharton
Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business
Dive into topical articles, podcasts, and videos through Wharton’s online business journal.
Greenhushing: When Firms Do More Than They Say
Some companies downplay their environmental efforts, a practice known as greenhushing. A new working paper co-authored by Wharton’s Serguei Netessine finds that this gap between what firms say and what they do is associated with higher subsequent abnormal stock returns.Read More
Cookstove Subsidies Fight Climate Change at a Lower Cost
Clean cookstove subsidies are more cost-effective at reducing carbon emissions than subsidies for EVs or solar panels, according to a new study from Wharton’s Susanna Berkouwer.Read More
Climate Regulation Rollbacks and the Rise of Nuisance Lawsuits
Wharton professor of legal studies and business ethics explains how repealing a key climate determination could reshape regulation and spark increased litigation against emitters.Read More
The Ethics of ESG | Eric Orts
Professor Eric Orts breaks down the ethical debate around ESG.Read More
Centers, Initiatives & More
Recent Research From Pillar Faculty
Meet some of the Wharton faculty doing impactful work for the Initiative.
Witold J. Henisz
Vice Dean and Faculty Director, Impact, Value, and Sustainable Business Initiative
Deloitte & Touche Professor of Management
Arthur van Benthem
Business Economics and Public Policy
