The Interdependence of Science and Business

Science has been the foundation of many of the significant technological advances across the globe. From the latest drug treatments and energy production to the latest computer chip technology. While innovation is what drives research, business is about profit and making shareholders happy. Traditionally the worlds of science and business have been viewed as separate entities. They are both interconnected and it is impossible to separate their impact on business from that of research.

While the business world is mostly concerned with making money, its long-term effects can be significant for the environment, social and economic repercussions. Science is http://scorbe.de/performance-theory-in-modern-physics/ also concerned about the impact of its actions, specifically its decisions on resource exploitation and sustainable development. A smart business would, for instance exploit a resource to the level that scientists consider sustainable. However, greedy businesses have led to over-exploitation natural resources and ecological catastrophe.

We have categorised the various ways corporations try to influence science at the macro as well as meso-levels, and mapped the intended effects and outcomes of these strategies (TL conducted the initial analysis, AG second-coded 20 per cent of papers). We found that companies employ five macro-level strategies that reduce the perceived credibility of favourable scientific findings and boost the credibility of favorable research findings. These strategies are operationalised by meso strategies that, over time, skew the evidence base to the favor of industry. This has three distal effects: to cast doubt on the harms that could be caused by industrial products and practices; to push policies that are in favour of industry; and to increase the consumption, sales, and use of industry-related products.