From new drug therapies and energy production to computer chip technology science has laid the foundation for many of the world’s greatest technological breakthroughs. While innovation is the driving of science however, business is all about making money and keeping shareholders happy. Traditionally the two fields of business and science were thought of as distinct entities. However, the two are interconnected and it is impossible to isolate the impact of scientific research from its business implications.
While the business world is principally focused on earning money, its longer-term effects could have significant social, environmental and economic repercussions. Science is also concerned about the impact of its actions, particularly its decisions on the exploitation of resources and sustainable development. A shrewd business would, for instance exploit a resource at the level that is scientifically sustainable. But greedy businesses have led to a frenzied use of natural resources and ecological disaster.
We have coded the desired results and the consequences of these strategies. (TL did the initial programming and AG additional resources coded 20% of the papers). We found that corporations employ five macro-level strategies, which work together to minimise perceived credibility of unfavourable science and maximise positive science. These strategies are implemented by meso strategies that can, over time, alter the evidence base in favor of industry. This has three effects: to cast doubt on the harms that could be caused by industrial products and practices; to encourage policy solutions that are in favour of industry; and to maximise the consumption, sales, and use of industry-related products.
