The European Academy of Business in Society (EABIS) - an alliance of leading companies and business schools working together on corporate responsibility - today launched a 1 million euro, 3 year partnership programme on research, education and training. Topics covered by the 7 initial projects include a broad range of issues such as stakeholder management, measuring the business case, social entrepreneurship, the role of government, the bottom of the pyramid, management skills, MBA curriculum development and executive training.

The launch comes at a time when corporate responsibility is rapidly moving up the management education agenda in business schools and companies are increasingly stressing the need to develop new knowledge and skills for current and future leaders on this topic. The programme aims to meet these challenges and to accelerate the integration of corporate responsibility into the heart of business theory and practice. The launch marks an important milestone for EABIS as it continues to highlight and support the development of corporate responsibility in Europe.

EABIS' founding corporate partners, IBM, Johnson & Johnson, Microsoft, Shell and Unilever will each contribute 70k EUR per year for the next 3 years in support of the initiative. Speaking on the day of the launch, Patrick de Smedt, Chairman of Microsoft Europe, Middle East and Africa said:

"Whilst corporate responsibility remains high on the agenda for most leaders, there is an urgent need for more and better knowledge and skills on the changing role of business in society. To ensure that current and future managers are equipped to meet this challenge, partnerships between companies and business schools are critical. Microsoft and the other founding corporate partners of EABIS are proud to support the launch of the first wave of research, education and training projects on a broad range of vital and relevant issues for business. It marks an important step forward, not only for EABIS and its members, but in supporting the development of corporate responsibility in Europe."

• Ashridge (GB)
  
• Copenhagen Business School (DK)
  
• Cranfield School of Management (GB)
  
• ESADE Business School (ES)
  
• IESE Business School (ES)
  
• London Business School (GB)
  
• Norwegian School of Management (NO)
  
• SDA Bocconi (IT)
  
• Vlerick Leuven Gent School of Management (BE)
  
• University of Applied Sciences in Business Administration Zurich (CH)

"This launch represents a unique opportunity for business schools and companies to collaboratively integrate corporate responsibility into business theory and practice. The leadership role of London Business School in the EABIS curriculum development project confirms our belief in the need to embed corporate responsibility issues into the core of management education. The project will play a crucial role in equipping tomorrow's leaders to respond to the needs of a complex global market place."

"The launch of the programme comes at a crucial time when discussions on the relationship between corporate responsibility and management education are currently centre stage amongst business leaders, academics, policy-makers, civil society and the business media. It recognises the need for tangible, results-driven partnerships. It aims to equip current and future leaders with the knowledge and skills to manage the complexity of modern business in a way that creates value for both shareholders and society at large. EABIS continues to be a learning journey for all concerned and we look forward to producing high quality results in this next exciting phase."

Results from 1 year projects and initial findings from 3yr projects are expected spring 2006. Executive summaries of the projects are attached in PDF format. Additional information is available on EABIS' website: www.eabis.orgwww.eabis.org

About The European Academy of Business in Society
EABIS is a unique alliance of more than 50 companies, business schools, business networks and other stakeholders, with the support of the European Union Commission, committed to integrating corporate responsibility into the mainstream of business theory and practice in Europe. For more information on members and activities visit: www.eabis.org

European Academy of Business in Society

European Academy of Business in Society

Established in 2002 by leading companies and business schools in partnership with the EU Commission, EABIS aims to integrate corporate responsibility into the mainstream of business theory and practice. EABIS funds collaborative research, education and training projects and organizes numerous events and workshops across Europe to develop more and better knowledge and learning on corporate responsibility. It also lead the EU Commission funded 'European Platform for Excellence on CSR' (CSR Platform) project as the designated centre for excellence on CSR Research under the Sixth Framework Programme. With a European focus, but a global outlook, EABIS' membership currently numbers 80+ organisations, spanning four continents and 20 countries. The network includes some of the world's largest global corporations, such as Shell, Unilever, IBM, Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft and the majority of Europe's top business schools such as INSEAD, IMD, ESADE, IESE and the London Business School. www.eabis.org.

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