Driving Social Profit: Frontline Insights from an Entrepreneur Committed to Sustainable Innovation

Addressing potentially irretrievable environmental and social issues is the defining challenge of our generation. How we respond will shape our legacy. One thing is certain: governments cannot do this alone. Addressing these profound challenges requires the active involvement of companies.

Michael Porter and Mark Kramer (Porter and Kramer 2006, 2011) have advocated for the linkage between competitive advantage and social responsibility and introduced the concept of shared value—that is, company policies and practices that simultaneously enhance competitiveness while benefiting society. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to learn from Dr. Porter while a student at Harvard, and this concept of shared value holds a strong place in my heart. Much of Porter's and Kramer's theoretical and empirical work on shared value supports the idea that organizations can adopt a social profit orientation. Specifically, it demonstrates that businesses can harness innovation and drive global growth while benefiting society.

My career path was forged by a passionate belief in the necessity of businesses to take a role in improving the well-being of people and the health of the planet. The authors of “Social Profit Orientation: Lessons from Organizations Committed to Building a Better World” (Berry et al. 2025) have uncovered and supported with compelling evidence the drivers for companies to use their power to make a difference. While all are important to a social profit orientation, I would like to highlight two that strongly resonate with my career journey and ongoing commitment: (1) incorporating social profit into the organization's purpose and (2) challenging conventional boundaries.

In my role as Chairman of Edizione, my family's holding company, we have made significant strides in the last three years in addressing challenges to the environment and to human well-being through our various businesses. Edizione heads a large group that controls or is invested in numerous leading European and international mobility and infrastructure providers. For instance, when you fly to Europe via Rome's Fiumicino airport, shop in a Hudson store, or use an electric vehicle on a motorway in Santiago, Chile, you are interacting with our group's services and infrastructures. Our group employs over 100,000 people who enable millions of travelers to move around the world sustainably.

Mobility providers are increasingly aware of the need to respond to two pressing challenges: technological innovation and the climate transition. Digital technologies have revolutionized how we plan and undertake journeys, requiring constant investment and new skills. The climate transition necessitates that our sector mitigate its impact through technology and virtuous behaviors, aligning with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda/).

At Mundys, a leading global infrastructure provider we control, we have implemented a sustainability-linked financing framework. This framework links financing to business objectives and sustainability performance targets, resulting in a 26% reduction in direct emissions by 2022 and significant progress toward zero emissions by 2040.

Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in projects like the integrated urban and environmental regeneration plan for the Américo Vespucio road in Santiago, Chile. Grupo Costanera, the Mundys company operating the road, is enhancing the quality of life for approximately 2 million people by creating parks, installing noise barriers, and improving accessibility. This initiative goes beyond infrastructure, aiming for the public good.

Similarly, Aeroporti di Roma, managing Rome's intercontinental hub, is working toward zero emissions by 2040. New terminals have been built with recycled materials and powered by solar energy. Water is continuously recycled, and the airport's sustainable development plan includes excavating an ancient archaeological site for public access.

In cities like London, Singapore, and Dubai, Yunex Traffic, our integrated mobility company, collaborates with local authorities to develop technologies that improve traffic flow and reduce emissions. For example, vehicle emissions in several U.K. cities have fallen by more than 20% in six months. More generally, our technology services help reduce traffic congestion, air pollution, and CO₂ emissions in over 600 cities worldwide.

Additionally, 21 Invest, the European investment group I founded, focuses not on short-term economic indicators but on the creation of shared value for all stakeholders. For example, it supported the development of a drug for a rare eye infection caused by Acanthamoeba, highlighting that value creation extends beyond economic gains.

Challenging conventional boundaries and incorporating social profit into the purpose and strategy of Edizione and 21 Invest has led to significant advancements in sustainability and innovation. The shared value principle guides our approach to business, emphasizing the importance of addressing societal needs, redefining value chain productivity, and supporting industrial clusters.

As Berry et al. (2025) highlight, adopting a social profit orientation is crucial for modern businesses. At Edizione, we strive to be a “social profit company,” committed to the climate transition and the well-being of the communities we serve. Reducing our impact on the planet and channeling our investments toward sustainable goals are fundamental to our business strategy.

These examples illustrate how our strategy is implemented and the positive impact it has on society. While numbers are important, fostering a shared business culture focused on people, the environment, and society is paramount. As we continue to learn and improve, studies like Berry et al. (2025) provide valuable insights and inspiration for doing even better.

I hope that this research sparks further exploration and action, encouraging businesses everywhere to embrace their role in building a sustainable and equitable future.