Publications

Venture into the “post-growth” era, an era in which unlimited economic growth is no more companies’ one and only target. This study paves a new way to reset accounting, governance and business models. Understand the stakes thanks to detailed analyzes by experts. Discover alternative and innovative companies with stories of pioneering entrepreneurship building the future of businesses, respectful of planetary boundaries and social foundations.

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Results of the first national survey Prophil’s work has greatly contributed to the political reflection and the debate around the PACTE law. Today, everyone is expressing their views on “the companies with a mission”, including its definition and perception. But what about the entrepreneurs themselves: does the mission-led company make them dream? In order to question them, Prophil took the initiative of this first study ambitious national project, conducted with ViaVoice and the Centre Society and Organizations of HEC Paris to which our partners, Sycomore AM, KPMG, MAIF and Gide Loyette Nouel, have joined forces.

It reveals that 68% of managers want the implementation of the place of a legal framework dedicated to companies with a mission.

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Values, mission, commitments, evaluation, … the path to move towards the mission-oriented company, as demanding as it is that inspiring, includes phases of introspection, formalization and operational implementation.

This didactic précis of Prophil, published in 2018 in partnership with Sycomore AM, explains in a simple and illustrated way the big concepts underlying the mission-driven business model.

Publication in free download

Contibutory Business Survey of SBF120 executives

Can the listed company be a contributor? What are the most inspiring transformation processes to move towards contribution? This study published by Prophil in partnership with Sparknews and with Wavestone’s support, analyzes the CSR strategies of companies in the SBF120. The study shows that, despite the willingness of companies, face significant internal and external challenges, and that the small steps strategy is still often privileged. It highlights the play of constraints faced by large companies and identifies the actors who have made a strategic transformation of their models towards contribution.

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The first international panorama of hybrid statutes in the service of the common good

Over the past decade, new statutes have emerged, in different countries (United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy mainly), to encourage companies to put their economic performance in the service of a mission (social, societal, environmental or scientific) defined in the social and opposable purpose by stakeholders. This international panorama, published in 2017 in collaboration with ParisTech Mines and the Caisses des Dépôts Group, KPMG France and Sycomore AM, reveals and compares these new hybrids statutes for the first time, inspiring for France.

From the United States to Italy, Canada, and the United Kingdom, mission-led companies are flourishing and reflecting a powerful dynamic. Who are the pioneers? Why do they choose these new hybrid statutes? Why do they commit statutorily themselves beyond existing certifications? How is mission define and assess? How are stakeholders associated with its realization? How does the mission serve performance and vice versa?

The first European study

Who knows that Tata (India), Bosch or Bertelsmann (Germany), Rolex (Swiss), Ikea (Sweden), Carlsberg (Denmark), or Pierre Fabre (France) belong to… foundations? They are more than 1,000 in Germany, 1,000 in Sweden, 1,350 in Denmark, these companies, big or little, whose founders have made the choice to transfer full or in part their capital and rights to vote to foundations.

Despite its doubly virtuous characteristic, this model is generally unknown in France, where the Pierre Fabre Laboratories, and to a lesser extent the Merieux Institute, are exceptions.

As philanthropy becomes more entrepreneurial and capitalism more responsible, as in France 700,000 family companies will be transfer in the 15 years to come and the Welfare State struggles, the shareholder foundation is undeniably to develop.

The first reference guide (2019)

Under the spotlight in France since the launch of the Action Program for Business Growth and Transformation (PACTE), mission-led company is a hybrid model that articulates economic profitability and the common good. It redraws the borders between “for profit” and “non for profit” worlds, private and public.

This publication, produced by Prophil in collaboration with the Fondation des Possibles, Entreprises et Cités, and KPMG, figures out the five unmissable steps for the transformation in a mission-led company, related to mission, governance, business model, value sharing and evaluation.

This reference guide reproduce the result of collective reflections carried out in partnership with the Catholic University of Lille and 50 executive leaders of the Hauts de France, and provides tools for all companies that wish to commit on the path of the mission-led company.

The first practical guide

As the PACTE law opens new perspectives to increase the contribution of business to the common good, the shareholder foundation is establishing itself as a model of governance and particularly innovative and sustainable business’ transmission.

For the first time in France, a practical guide is dedicated to entrepreneurs eager to embark on the path of the shareholder foundation, published by Prophil, in collaboration with Delsol Lawyers and De Facto. This publication allows homeowners companies to get the right questions, test their motivations and gives them sound advice on how to get started and succeed in this transformation.

By presenting a detailed analysis of the mobilized mechanisms, pioneers’ testimonies, and practical tools, this guide covers all the strategic, legal and heritage issues of this business transformation.