An Innovative Approach to Sustainability

At the Center, we view solutions to environmental and social problems as business opportunities, not a cost of doing business. We frame the solutions to these complex issues as new business growth rooted in innovation and enterprise development. We maintain a global network engaged in collaborative research and field work focused on strategy formulation and implementation in two domains: sustainable innovation and base of the pyramid enterprise development.

We engage students and managers alike to develop a deep theoretical and practical understanding of a complex set of interrelated economic, social, and environmental issues. We focus on building the skills and capabilities needed to formulate and implement practical, operational solutions that have value in today's marketplace. Combining the business and entrepreneurship expertise of the Johnson School and the vast resources in science, technology, and the study of humanity at Cornell University, the Center is attempting to advance the global knowledge base in sustainable enterprise.

The Center was created in 2005 through the generosity of Sam Johnson, who envisioned a hub for the generation and dissemination of critical knowledge and research related to business and sustainability.