HEC Paris Society and Organisations Institute (‘the institute’) is an interdisciplinary institute based at HEC Paris, a business school in Paris, France that undertakes research and education in management sciences.  The institute was founded in 2008 and brings together up to 60 professors, educators and doctorate research students.

The institute acknowledges that business and capitalism have contributed to social and economic development including the reduction of poverty.  However, the institute also sees failures in terms of unacceptable inequality in many countries, business failing to engage employees, change and uncertainty leaving people confused and a planet under stress due to the impact of business on the environment.  The institute accordingly identifies challenges that organisations face including what it refers to as climatic constraints, social inequality, loss of purpose and technological disruption to name some.

To address these challenges the institute adopts a ‘think’, ‘teach’ and ‘act’ approach, through research, teaching and implementation of ideas, that also recognises key stakeholders such as investors, civil society and regulators.  By these means, the institute seeks a ‘re-foundation’ of business, to develop leaders as actors of change and help business to undertake more responsible capitalism that protects the environment and fosters greater social inclusion.  This helps to achieve the institute’s purpose of reinventing business through promoting sustainability and unleashing human potential.

The institute produces research papers which many of which are published in academic journals, operates a doctorate scholarship and other education programmes, conducts monthly research seminars, engages in partnerships with corporations and organises international events including a summer school.

To reinvent business through promoting sustainability and unleashing human potential.

HEC Paris Society and Organizations Institute is supported by the HEC Foundation which, itself, receives funding from corporations and individual benefactors, including alumni.

Find out more