We found a match
Your institution may have access to this item. Find your institution then sign in to continue.
- Title
DESIGNING BUSINESS FORMS TO PURSUE SOCIAL GOALS.
- Authors
Eldar, Ofer
- Abstract
The long-standing debate about the purpose and role of business firms has recently regained momentum. Business firms face growing pressure to pursue social goals and benefit corporation statutes proliferate across many U.S. states. This trend is largely based on the idea that firms increase long-term shareholder value when they contribute (or appear to contribute) to society. Contrary to this trend, this Article argues that the pressing issue is whether policies to create social impact actually generate value for third-party beneficiaries--rather than for shareholders. Because it is difficult to measure social impact with precision, the design of legal forms for firms that pursue social missions should incorporate organizational structures that generate both the incentives and competence to pursue such missions effectively. Specifically, firms that have a commitment to transacting with different types of disadvantaged groups demonstrate these attributes and should thus serve as the basis for designing legal forms. While firms with such a commitment may be created using a variety of control and contractual mechanisms, the related transaction costs tend to be very high. This Article develops a social enterprise legal form that draws on the legal regime for community development financial institutions (CDFIs) and European legal forms for work-integration social enterprises (WISEs). This form would certify to investors, consumers, and governments that designated firms have a commitment as social enterprises. By obviating the need for costly social impact measurement, this form would facilitate the provision of subsidydonations to social enterprises from multiple groups, particularly investors (through below-market investment) and consumers (via premiums over market prices). Thus, this social enterprise form would be to altruistic investors and consumers what the nonprofit form is to donors. Moreover, the proposal could facilitate the flow of investments by foundations in social enterprises (known as program-related investments, "PRIs") because it would help foundations verify the social impact of their investees. In addition, by giving subsidyproviders greater assurance that social enterprises pursue social missions effectively, the proposed legal form could facilitate public markets for social enterprises.
- Subjects
SOCIAL enterprises; BENEFIT corporations (Business structure); SOCIAL responsibility of business; SOCIAL goals; SUBSIDIES; BUSINESS enterprises
- Publication
Virginia Law Review, 2020, Vol 106, Issue 4, p937
- ISSN
0042-6601
- Publication type
Article