International Association for Business and Society

The International Association for Business and Society (IABS) is a nonprofit organization founded in 1990. It is dedicated to research and teaching about the relationships between business, government, and society.

Overview

IABS serves as a platform for scholars and executives interested in corporate social responsibility, business ethics, environmental affairs, and the interplay between business and government. The organization has grown to include over 300 members from more than 100 universities in over 25 countries, as well as members from various corporations and not-for-profit organizations.

Activities and Publications

IABS sponsors the peer-reviewed journal Business and Society, which is published by Sage Publications and is the only journal entirely focused on the relationship between business and society. Members receive access to this journal, along with the organization's newsletter and annual conference proceedings.

Annual Conferences

IABS hosts an annual conference in different international locations, including the US, Canada, Mexico, Austria, Finland, France, Italy, The Netherlands, and the UK. These conferences provide a developmental platform for discussing emerging issues in corporate social responsibility and business ethics. Recent conference themes have included "Redesigning Business for the Common Good," which encourages reflection on how businesses can shift their practices to achieve economic, environmental, and social sustainability.

Membership and Focus

IABS focuses on supporting developmental work and facilitating interactions between emerging scholars and established leaders in the field. The organization includes a significant number of doctoral students, reflecting its commitment to nurturing future research leaders.

Current Initiatives

IABS is currently involved in a search for a new editorial team for its journal Business and Society due to significant increases in submissions over recent years. The upcoming conference in Maastricht, The Netherlands, highlights IABS's ongoing commitment to addressing global business and societal issues.