 Front from left: Dr Jopie Coetzee & Dr Claudelle van Eck (COO: Institute of Internal Auditors South Africa and Chairperson: SBL alumni association)
Back from left: Mr Michael Glensor (HR Manager: Liviero and SBL alumni association member) & Ms Deanne Voget (SBL Alumni Relations Officer) Mr Robin Stoutjesdyk (Corporate Configurations) & Mr Waheed Patel (Human Sciences Research Council) |
Role of business in society revisited
What is the role of management and business in society? What kind of business leader does the world need today? Dr Jopie Coetzee, Senior Lecture: Strategic International Business at Unisa’s Graduate School for Business Leadership (SBL), shared his view on these and other related questions in his topical discussion entitled "The social contract with business: What lies beyond social corporate responsibility?" during a breakfast talk hosted by the SBL alumni association on Wednesday 19 May 2009.
According to Dr Coetzee, many global leaders and thinkers share a common world vision. Business, political and societal leaders aspire to deliver a "world order of inclusive globalisation", that is, a world where human security in its broadest sense is assured, where global poverty has been significantly eradicated and humanity at large benefits from globalisation. Coetzee says this dream would only come true if new values, mind-sets, roles and responsibilities, especially in the world of business, are adopted. It would also require a new kind of business leader able to envision and lead the way to a world order of inclusive globalisation.
Dr Coetzee’s presentation was followed by a lively question-and-answer session in which the changing role of business and a need to revisit the education of tomorrow’s business leaders were debated.
Ms Deanna Voget, SBL Alumni Relations Officer, says the SBL alumni association regularly hosts such events with the aim of creating a knowledge and networking platform for business people and alumni. Clem Sunter, a scenario planner, futurologist and author of several books, will be the keynote speaker at the next event in June. |
