Stakeholder Capitalism. Klaus Schwab
between people, companies, and governments to this health crisis and see it as the unequivocal way to a new paradigm to tackle the climate crisis and the scandal of rising inequality in the world.”
—Angélique Kidjo, Musician and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador
“For a half-century, Klaus Schwab has been consistent in his belief that public companies can drive great returns for their shareholders AND address society's most important priorities. The world now understands that the system he envisioned—what we call Stakeholder Capitalism—can align capital to those outcomes better than any other.”
—Brian Moynihan, CEO, Bank of America
“Stakeholder Capitalism offers a timely analysis that shows how the neoliberal economic system privileges billionaires and extractive corporations over the dignity of billions of people and the protection of our planet. As COVID-19 has deepened despair and economic, gender and racial inequalities, governments must—with stakeholders—act decisively to depart from shareholder-first capitalism and instead put human rights at the heart of our economy.”
—Gabriela Bucher, Executive Director, Oxfam International
“Professor Schwab's new book offers us insightful perspectives on the world's economic history and the thinking that has led us towards the greatest challenges we face today – none larger than climate change. More importantly, it offers a blueprint for the future, inviting us to build a more inclusive, prosperous, healthier and greener world by embracing Stakeholder Capitalism at scale.”
—N. Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons
“In Stakeholder Capitalism my good friend Professor Schwab outlines an inspiring way forward in making the global economy more equitable, sustainable and future-proof. A vision that fits in perfectly with all his efforts over the years to build a better world. Once again, Professor Schwab gives us food for thought and reflection with this fascinating book.”
—Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of the Netherlands
STAKEHOLDER CAPITALISM
A GLOBAL ECONOMY THAT WORKS FOR PROGRESS, PEOPLE AND PLANET
KLAUS SCHWAB
with Peter Vanham
Copyright © 2021 by World Economic Forum. All rights reserved.
Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey.
Published simultaneously in Canada.
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is Available:
ISBN 9781119756132 (Hardcover)
ISBN 9781119756156 (ePDF)
ISBN 9781119756149 (ePub)
COVER ART & DESIGN: PAUL MCCARTHY
To my parents, Eugen Wilhelm Schwab (†) and Erika Epprecht (†), who taught me firsthand the value of education, collaboration, and the stakeholder principle
About the Authors
Professor Klaus Schwab is the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum. In 1971, he first published Modern Enterprise Management in Mechanical Engineering. In the book, he argues that a company must serve not only shareholders but all stakeholders to achieve long-term growth and prosperity. To promote the stakeholder concept, he founded the World Economic Forum the same year.
Since his first publication, Schwab has authored and co-authored various books and reports, including the yearly World Economic Forum Global Competitiveness Report (1979–present), The Fourth Industrial Revolution (2016), a worldwide best seller translated into 30 languages, Shaping the Future of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (2018, with Nicholas Davis), and COVID-19: The Great Reset (2020, with Thierry Malleret). Alongside his leadership of the World Economic Forum, Schwab also started the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship with his wife, Hilde (1998), The Forum of Young Global Leaders (2006), and the Global Shapers Community (2011).
Professor Schwab holds doctorates and master's degrees in economics (University of Fribourg) and in engineering (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) and obtained a master's degree in public administration (MPA) from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. In 1972, he became a professor at the University of Geneva, where he is now honorary professor. Throughout his career, Schwab has received 17 honorary doctorates. Schwab was knighted in France (Knight of the Légion d'Honneur, 1997), in England (by Queen Elisabeth II, Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, 2006), and Germany (Knight Commanders Cross, 2012). He also received the Grand Cordon of the Rising Sun of Japan (2013), among many other national distinctions. He lives in Geneva with his wife, Hilde.
Peter