Introduction to the special issue: the leadership imperative for sustainability and corporate social responsibility

Abstract

The world is at a tipping point. We are simultaneously on the edge of unprecedented wealth creation and catastrophic implosion, as a result of many geopolitical forces. On the one hand, the financial crisis precipitated mainly by events in the United States, and the ripple effects throughout Europe and the rest of the world are slowly coming under control. Yet, at the same time, much of the world is restive. Sub- Saharan Africa, particularly Nigeria, Niger, Cameron and Chad, are in de facto war with extremists intent on returning the region to the Stone Age. The same is true in Syria and the region around it, as we see various groups struggle for complete domination. In Eurasia, Russia has invaded, or threatened to invade multiple of its neighbors (e.g., Estonia, Georgia, Mol-dova, Ukraine). The Taliban is resurging, threatening peace and tranquility in but another beleaguered region.