The Enlightened Capitalists
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| Author | James O'Toole |
|---|---|
| Illustrator | |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Subject | Capitalism Business ethics Corporate social responsibility |
| Genre | Non-fiction |
| Publisher | HarperBusiness |
Publication date | February 26, 2019 |
| Media type | |
| Pages | 592 |
| ISBN | 978-0-06-288024-6 Search this book on  . |
The Enlightened Capitalists: Cautionary Tales of Business Pioneers Who Tried to Do Well by Doing Good is a 2019 non-fiction book by James O'Toole about business leaders who attempted to reconcile profit with social responsibility.[1][2] Published by HarperBusiness on February 26, 2019, the book examines British and American examples over two centuries and asks whether ethical corporate practices are compatible with shareholder capitalism.[3]
The book presents case studies of figures including Robert Owen, William Lever, James Cash Penney, Levi Strauss, William C. Norris, Herb Kelleher, Bill Gore, Anita Roddick and Tom Chappell as examples of both the potential and vulnerability of "enlightened" business leadership.
Synopsis
The book traces the history of business leaders in Britain and the United States who tried to build companies that were both profitable and socially responsible. O'Toole argues that humane labor policies, environmental commitments, and stakeholder-oriented management were often difficult to sustain after founders lost control or later generations of managers faced shareholder pressure.[3]
Beginning with early industrial reformers such as Robert Owen and William Lever, O'Toole moves through later business leaders including James Cash Penney and Levi Strauss and then to more recent figures such as William C. Norris, Herb Kelleher, Bill Gore, Anita Roddick and Tom Chappell.[2] The book asks whether ethical business leadership can endure within modern investor capitalism.[3]
Reception
Kirkus Reviews called the book "a tapestry of remarkable characters, high drama, and entertaining story arcs for leaders of businesses large and small".[2] Publishers Weekly described it as a "comprehensive and thoughtful study" of the relationship between business and benevolence.[3] The Financial Times said the book treated its subjects as examples of how socially minded business leadership could fail yet still remain a source of hope.[4] WSJ also positively reviewed the book.[5]
References
- ↑ James, O'Toole. "The Enlightened Capitalists: Cautionary Tales of Business Pioneers Who Tried To Do Well by Doing Good". Library Journal.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "The Enlightened Capitalists". Kirkus Reviews.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "The Enlightened Capitalists: Cautionary Tales of Business Pioneers Who Tried to Do Well by Doing Good". Publishers Weekly.
- ↑ "Book review: The Enlightened Capitalists, by James O'Toole". Financial Times. February 27, 2019.
- ↑ Lowenstein, Roger (February 25, 2019). "'The Enlightened Capitalists' Review: Profiting From High Ideals" – via www.wsj.com.
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