Socially Responsible Sector: B Lab Certification of For-Benefit Organizations

Abstract

This is a study of the motivations of organizations to become certified B Corps through the non-profit B Lab. The Abilities, Motivations and Opportunities framework, rooted in behavioral and organizational management literature is applied to the certified B Corp model, and theoretically compared to corporate social responsibility. Empirical data collected compares common language used to describe 3,508 organizations and self reported motivations to become certified through survey responses of 279 active certified B Corps. The results of the study show the difference between corporate social responsibility and certified B Corps and their role in the development of the fourth sector.