The Interdependence of Science and Business

Science has been at the heart for many of the most significant technological advances across the globe. From new treatments for cancer and energy production to computer chip technology. While innovation is the main driving power behind science business, it’s all about making money and keeping shareholders satisfied. Traditionally, the http://scorbe.de/performance-theory-in-modern-physics/ worlds of science and business were seen as distinct entities. However, they are interconnected and it is impossible to disentangle the impact of research in science as well as its impact on business.

While business is focused on profits, the long-term implications of its decisions can have significant environmental, social, and economic impacts. Science is also concerned about the impact of its actions, specifically its decisions regarding resource exploitation and sustainable development. A wise business, for instance will use a natural resource at an amount that is scientifically deemed as sustainable – but the greed of certain businesses has resulted in over-exploitation and environmental disaster.

We have categorised the various ways corporations try to influence science at the macro and meso levels, and then coded the expected outcomes and effects of these strategies (TL performed the initial code-coding, AG second-coded 20 per percent of papers). We found that corporations use five macro-level strategies, which work together to reduce the perceived credibility of skeptical science and to increase the value of favourable science. These strategies are enacted by meso strategies that in time, can skew the evidence base to the favor of industry. This leads to three distal outcomes – to create doubt on the potential harms that industry-related products and practices, to encourage policies that favor industry and to boost the use, consumption and sales of products and services, thus maximising profits for companies.