What's Happening?
ONE Society, an initiative led by Irina Nevzlin and Bruno Roche, was presented at the Wharton School as a framework to reduce cultural polarization by fostering trust through economic incentives and shared identity. The initiative aims to help businesses and institutions build long-term trust by measuring value beyond profits, considering impacts on employees, communities, and social stability. Roche's 'Economics of Mutuality' model, developed during his tenure at Mars, underpins this approach, advocating for mutual gains between organizations and their communities. Nevzlin emphasizes the role of identity in addressing polarization, suggesting that a clear sense of identity can facilitate cooperation and trust.
Why It's Important?
Cultural polarization poses significant
challenges to social cohesion and institutional trust. ONE Society's approach offers a novel solution by integrating economic and identity-based strategies to rebuild trust and cooperation. By encouraging businesses to consider broader impacts, the initiative seeks to create a more inclusive and stable economic environment. This framework has the potential to influence how organizations operate, promoting practices that prioritize long-term societal benefits over short-term profits. The initiative's focus on identity and trust addresses fundamental issues contributing to polarization, offering a pathway to more harmonious and resilient communities.
What's Next?
ONE Society plans to implement its framework in various settings, including global companies and city-level pilots. The initiative is collaborating with the Boston Consulting Group to develop practical tools for applying the model. As these efforts progress, the effectiveness of the approach will be evaluated, potentially leading to broader adoption. The initiative's success could inspire similar efforts in other regions, contributing to a global movement towards more equitable and trust-based economic systems.
