Research

Research at the Institute for Business Sustainability is funded through international research burseries available throught international research collaborations.

An important element of the research is to continuously advance

the latest thinking shared in our educational programs, in order

to maintain the leading edge of sustainability and transformational practices.

Projects

We enjoy working and collaborating on selective positve impact projects which we conduct as commissioned work.

The CEO Impact Rating

A current example is the creation of a framework for a new CEO Impact Rating for Switzerland, initiated by the Green Business Switzerland. This new rating, which for a first time assesses the impact a CEO and his organization have on society and the environment, was published in June 2021 by the business journal BILANZ and in the Swiss-french magazine PME. This rating represents a first ever assessment of the societal contribution of corporations and their CEOs. The IBS has developed the underlying methodology offering a first-time comparison of traditional ESG risk management and positive societal impact of organizations. It also features a first-time assessment of the responsible leadership competency and the perceived positive impact credibility of CEOs.

To date CEO ratings assume that the company performance equals the CEO performance. Our framework differentiates between the two and furthermore looks at the impact beyond traditional shareholders and stakeholders, to measure a broader impact and contribution to society.

Methodology

To celebrate this ground-breaking new rating, we offer organizations and leaders a free opportunity to test their own sustainability and responsibility:

Company Assessment

Competency Test

Focused Reporting Methodology

Another recent project consists of contributing to the evolving methodology of the sustainability reporting assessement initiative launched by Swiss partner of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development öbu and the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN / BAFU) and conducted by our close partner engageability.

Focused Reporting assesses more than 100 Swiss sustainability reports every two years regarding their comprehensiveness, credibility and relevance. Measuring relevance remains a challenging aspect in reporting today, and this is where we contribute with our insights and expertise gained from the Gapframe methodology.

Business Sustainability Today Platform

Business Sustainability Today is an independent digital information and discussion platform on corporate sustainability and goals for sustainable development (SDGs). It was co-developped by engageability, the Institute for Business Sustainability, öbu and the UN Global Compact Network Switzerland and funded by various departements of the Swiss Confederation and private companies.

On the platform you can find video reports on innovative leading projects from the corporate world and exclusive interviews with opinion leaders.