The Diplomat in the Corner Office: Corporate Foreign Policy

by Timothy L. Fort

Overview

In The Diplomat in the Corner Office, Timothy L. Fort, one of the founders of the business and peace movement, reflects on the progress of the movement over the past 15 years—from a niche position into a mainstream economic and international relations perspective. In the 21st century global business environment, says Fort, businesses can and should play a central role in peace-building, and he demonstrates that it is to companies' strategic advantage to do so.

Anchoring his arguments in theories from economics and international relations, Fort makes the case that businesses must augment familiar notions of corporate responsibility and ethical behavior with the concept of corporate foreign policy in order to thrive in today's world. He presents a series of case studies focusing on companies that have made peace a goal, either as an end in itself or because of its instrumental value in building their companies, to articulate three different approaches that businesses can use to quell international conflict— peace making, peace keeping, and peace building. He then demonstrates their effectiveness and proposes policies that can be utilized by business, civil society, and government to increase the likelihood of business playing a constructive role in the conciliatory process.

This book will be of enormous use not only to students and scholars but also to leaders in NGOs, government, and business.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780804796606
Publisher:	Stanford University Press
Publication date:	10/28/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Timothy L. Fort is the Eveleigh Professor of Business Ethics and Professor of Business Law and Ethics in the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. He is a 2024 Noble Peace Prize Nominee.

Table of Contents

Contents and Abstracts

1Corporate Foreign Policy
chapter abstract

In a global business environment, companies increasingly establish their own identity apart from their country of historical origin. This chapter details examples of the choices companies have made and argues that companies should consciously adopt their own foreign policy, which is benefitted from peace building. The chapter describes the ways in which companies can do this in an introductory fashion.

2Causes of War and Lessons for Balances of Power
chapter abstract

This chapter sets out the research to date from the field of international relations that categorizes the reasons war begin. It will be noted that often, violence erupts because of an imbalance of power. The chapter argues that businesses are both subject to balance of power and contribute to them and thus can have a role in the balance of power equation that could contribute to peace.

3Could Peace Break Out in this Day and Age?
chapter abstract

Studies of deep history seem to be in dispute as to whether humans are more or less peaceful today than in the past. This chapter takes these conflicting arguments from leading scholars and shows that, despite their differences, what unites them is a role that business can play in "gentle commerce." An ethically-informed set of business practices indeed seem to take advantage of all worlds in making the world more peaceful.

4
chapter abstract

An ethically-informed set of business practices also seems to find increasing acceptance within mainstream economic literature which recognizes the importance of trust. Ethical practices helpfully prevent more egregious behavior, which benefits commerce as a whole and the same practices also promote peace building. This chapter thus details major economic thought as to why and how this is possible and connects this literature to peace building

5Peacemaking, Peacekeeping, and Peace building
chapter abstract

Businesses contribute to peace in different ways. Some promote peacemaking and peacekeeping. Others focus on a more diffused sense of peace building. This chapter provides case studies that demonstrate these different way sin which business contributes to peace.

6Peace Entrepreneurs, Instrumental Corporate Foreign Policy, and Unconscious Peace Building
chapter abstract

Depending on a businessperson's conscious orientation, businesses might also contribute to peace intentionally (as peace entrepreneurs) as instrumentally a smart business strategy (corporate foreign policy) and completely unconsciously (through ethical practices shorn of peace building intention). This chapter recognizes these different approaches in hopes of providing more refined academic categories of analysis.

7Little Brother Government Policy
chapter abstract

Rather than focusing directly on government regulation of business, this chapter suggests that a better role for government is to create incentives for business to engage in ethical and peace building activity. Thus, it follows a model of the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines which flexibly allows companies to achieve ethical practices without mandating particular ones. This is a strategy of an open society versus a closed one, which itself provides greater likelihood for peace building.

7Little Brother Government Policy
chapter abstract

Rather than focusing directly on government regulation of business, this chapter suggests that a better role for government is to create incentives for business to engage in ethical and peace building activity. Thus, it follows a model of the U.S. Federal Sentencing Guidelines which flexibly allows companies to achieve ethical practices without mandating particular ones. This is a strategy of an open society versus a closed one, which itself provides greater likelihood for peace building.

8A New Great Awakening
chapter abstract

Civil society can contribute to businesses' contribution by creating an environment conducive to business's role. Thus, those organizations that specifically devote themselves to peace can partner with businesses. Business associations – such as the chamber of commerce can likewise encourage the activity that leads to constructive business contributions.

9Why a Peace-Oriented Corporate Foreign Policy is Smart Business
chapter abstract

This final chapter summarizes why it is smart business for companies to contribute to peace building through their daily work.

Editorial Reviews

"The question of what, if anything, business in general or a business entity in particular owes to society has been debated by those interested in corporate social responsibility at least since the mid-1970s. Fort offers a new and compelling perspective on this question . . . Fort demonstrates how this type of "gentle commerce," a marriage of ethics and economics, actually rests on principles expounded by Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, Immanuel Kant, and others."—T. R. Gillespie, CHOICE

"Tim Fort's book is persuasive, inspiring, and practical. It will convince skeptics that there are compelling reasons for businesses to adopt a "corporate foreign policy." While some firms may have incentives for "peace-keeping," Fort shows that many already work incrementally, if unintentionally, to create conditions that promote peace. Recognizing this will enable companies, government, and civil society to better leverage business as a force for peace."—Kathleen A. Getz, Dean, Sellinger School of Business and Management, Loyola UniversityMaryland

"Using real world examples, Fort—a pioneer and thought leader—makes a compelling case for why a peace-oriented international business strategy makes economic sense. This book demonstrates that managers and their firms can impact the peacefulness of our society. The Diplomat stands to change how you think about the business of business."—Jennifer Oetzel, American University

"This is a most thoughtful exploration of how it is that private business contributes to peace, about the possible pitfalls, and the need for new innovative practices. In a rapidly growing field, Fort's book is a must-read— for business leaders and strategists, for peace researchers, and for all those who are devoting their lives to overcoming armed conflict."—Kristian Berg Harpviken, Director, Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO)

"Fort is the most noted scholar writing today on business and peace. He expertly navigates the macro- and micro-levels of corporate impact, and draws on wide-ranging scholarship to develop a framework for corporate practices that strengthen communities. This book should be required reading for business leaders, peace activists, and policymakers alike."—Virginia Haufler, Center for International Development and Conflict Management, University of Maryland

"Milton Friedman gave voice to the view that 'the social responsibility of business is to increase profits.' But, today's executives are expected to lead their companies on a quest to fulfill a much larger set of functions—including peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding through the pursuit of profits. Fortunately, Timothy Fort has written a very useful roadmap for this journey. A must-read for everyone in the corner office."—John Sullivan, Center for International Private Enterprise

"As long as we operate under a global capitalist system, [Fort] says, let's make it work for peace, like philosophers and social scientists have suggested it can....This is an interesting read.''—Jennifer Delton, H-FedHist, H-Net Reviews

From the Publisher

"Using real world examples, Fort—a pioneer and thought leader—makes a compelling case for why a peace-oriented international business strategy makes economic sense. This book demonstrates that managers and their firms can impact the peacefulness of our society. The Diplomat stands to change how you think about the business of business."

Jennifer Oetzeln University

"The question of what, if anything, business in general or a business entity in particular owes to society has been debated by those interested in corporate social responsibility at least since the mid-1970s. Fort offers a new and compelling perspective on this question . . . Fort demonstrates how this type of "gentle commerce," a marriage of ethics and economics, actually rests on principles expounded by Adam Smith, Friedrich Hayek, Immanuel Kant, and others."

CHOICE - T. R. Gillespie

"This is a most thoughtful exploration of how it is that private business contributes to peace, about the possible pitfalls, and the need for new innovative practices. In a rapidly growing field, Fort's book is a must-read— for business leaders and strategists, for peace researchers, and for all those who are devoting their lives to overcoming armed conflict."

Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) - Kristian Berg Harpviken

"Tim Fort's book is persuasive, inspiring, and practical. It will convince skeptics that there are compelling reasons for businesses to adopt a "corporate foreign policy." While some firms may have incentives for "peace-keeping," Fort shows that many already work incrementally, if unintentionally, to create conditions that promote peace. Recognizing this will enable companies, government, and civil society to better leverage business as a force for peace."

Loyola UniversityMaryland - Kathleen A. Getz

"Fort is the most noted scholar writing today on business and peace. He expertly navigates the macro- and micro-levels of corporate impact, and draws on wide-ranging scholarship to develop a framework for corporate practices that strengthen communities. This book should be required reading for business leaders, peace activists, and policymakers alike."

University of Maryland - Virginia Haufler

"Using real world examples, Fort—a pioneer and thought leader—makes a compelling case for why a peace-oriented international business strategy makes economic sense. This book demonstrates that managers and their firms can impact the peacefulness of our society. The Diplomat stands to change how you think about the business of business."

Jennifer Oetzel

"Milton Friedman gave voice to the view that 'the social responsibility of business is to increase profits.' But, today's executives are expected to lead their companies on a quest to fulfill a much larger set of functions—including peacemaking, peacekeeping, and peacebuilding through the pursuit of profits. Fortunately, Timothy Fort has written a very useful roadmap for this journey. A must-read for everyone in the corner office."

Center for International Private Enterprise - John Sullivan

"Using real world examples, Fort—a pioneer and thought leader—makes a compelling case for why a peace-oriented international business strategy makes economic sense. This book demonstrates that managers and their firms can impact the peacefulness of our society. The Diplomat stands to change how you think about the business of business."

American University - Jennifer Oetzel