Corporate Citizenship and Urban Problem Solving
Brookings Institution:
Business-led civic organizations have historically played an important role in urban policymaking, planning, and renewal.
However, shifting economic forces - including corporate consolidation, industrial decline, and the suburbanization of many businesses - have diminished the capacity of these organizations, potentially stripping cities of a significant advocate.
It examines how these shifts have affected the level and character of participation in local and regional public affairs by corporate CEOs, focusing particularly on the makeup, agendas, and roles of peak business organizations.
During the last quarter-century, the American economy has undergone a significant transformation.
Such sectors contain an area's basic industries, serving both the local economy and other regions by exporting goods and services.
Even in the face of substantial economic change, the culture of business engagement and the character of its civic institutions remain important factors in how corporate executives address urban issues.
