Choice Review

In recent years, a growing number of corporations in the West have pursued profit and positive social impact simultaneously. This new vision of "doing well by doing good," or "caring capitalism" as sociologist Barman (Boston Univ.) terms it, is the main subject of this book. Barman asks two questions: First, how are social purpose organizations judged for social value? Second, in what way has caring capitalism affected the valuation of social good? Utilizing rich sources of data and combining an array of research methods, she advances a set of sophisticated and nuanced arguments. The economic logic of efficiency has not replaced social value, and market indicators have not subjugated compassionate corporations. The key, as Barman argues, lies in value entrepreneurs who create tools or techniques that measure social value. This fairly technical book is not an easy read, but for those readers willing to seriously learn about the convergence of market and mission as well as the role of human agency, this book will be valuable. A volume that future researchers on the social responsibility of corporations will want to consult, discuss, and critique. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Faculty. --Junpeng Li, Columbia University