Social Enterprise

On September 30, 2016, the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School will host the annual Social Enterprise Conference. This year's one-day conference will focus on urbanization and how it is shaping the human experience in powerful ways. Top Fortune 500 companies participating in the event include: Microsoft, Propel, IBM, Vizalytics Technology, and Neighborly, among others.

According to new research from Columbia Business School, workers of all ages increasingly value purpose and meaningfulness at work, so much so that they are willing to give up monetary benefits in exchange. "We tend to think of valuing non-monetary benefits over money only in mission-driven and public service organizations, but this research demonstrates that workers in for-profit organizations are also motivated by a company’s social responsibility," said author Vanessa Burbano, assistant professor of management at Columbia Business School.

Corporate social responsibility has long been an opportunity for companies to bolster their public image — and boost their sales. But it also sends important signals to potential employees.

This story was originally published in Columbia Ideas at Work. Matt Schiavenza

After a devastating diagnosis, Bita Javadizadeh Brun ’99 found help and hope in fellow alumnus Dr. Ghassan Abou-Alfa ’16. Now the two are teaming up to aid others.

To help advance causes like childhood education and waste management, four entrepreneurs received $25,000 for their ventures in the latest round of funding from the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures. In addition to funding, these entrepreneurs also gain access to the social enterprise resources the Tamer Center for Social Enterprise at Columbia Business School provides.

To help advance causes like childhood education and waste management, four entrepreneurs received $25,000 for their ventures in the latest round of funding from the Tamer Fund for Social Ventures

Effective Philanthropy in Urban Communities puts students in the driver’s seat when it comes to making an impact on local neighborhoods.

The brainchild of Andrew Gundlach '01, Professor Ray Horton, and adjunct professors Melissa Berman and Doug Bauer, Effective Philanthropy in Urban Communities puts students in the driver's seat when it comes to making an impact on local neighborhoods. By Agatha Bordonaro

A look at the biggest ideas from Columbia Business School’s 100th-anniversary event.