The world is in the midst of a perfect storm. Climate change, technological disruption and rising inequalities have all upset traditional ways of doing business. This changing world is bringing in new expectations for business where profit-making and responsibility need equal emphasis. The passing of a CSR law in 2013 made CSR mandatory for most Indian firms. At the same time, environmental challenges and disruption are fast changing the face of Indian corporations.

The insights that form the foundation for this book come from a five-year study into India’s top companies’ sustainability and CSR activities, which highlights that while good governance and far-reaching policies are part of the answer, much more needs to be done. Companies now need to factor in a new reality where reputation, responsibility and risk are increasingly interconnected.

Balance with its blend of theory and real-life case studies looks at the responsibility strategies and frameworks of Indian and multinational firms to arrive at a new way of thinking about business. It builds on the premise that in a connected, globalised world, intent and action count.