09 8 月 The Interdependence of Science and Business

From the development of new drug therapies and energy production to computer chip technology, science has provided the foundation for many of the world’s most significant technological breakthroughs. However, while innovation is what drives the field of science, business is all about making profit and keeping shareholders happy. Science and business were typically thought of as two distinct worlds. However, they are interconnected, and it is impossible to separate the impact of scientific research from its business implications.

While the business world is mostly focused on making money, its long-term consequences could have significant environmental, social and economic implications. Science is likewise concerned with the effects of its actions and decisions, specifically those pertaining to resource exploitation and view it now sustainability. A well-run business, for example will exploit the natural resources at a level that science determines as sustainable, but the greed of some companies has caused over-exploitation and ecological disaster.

We have classified the various ways corporations try to influence science at the macro as well as meso-levels, and mapped the expected outcomes and effects of these strategies (TL performed the initial code-coding, AG second-coded 20 per percent of papers). We found that corporations employ five macro-level strategies that work together to reduce the perceived credibility of unfavourable science and maximise favorable science. These strategies are implemented through meso strategies that can, over time, alter the evidence base in favor of industry. This has three indirect effects: to cast doubt on the potential harms caused by products and practices; to encourage policies that favor industry; and also to increase the sales, consumption and use of products from industry.