The Public Role of Private Enterprise: Risks, Opportunities and New Models of Engagement

Abstract

Business leaders in almost every industry sector face a complex and challenging set of economic pressures, political uncertainties and growing, often contradictory, stakeholder expectations. Despite an improvement in economic conditions, severe constraints remain on costs and prices, increased 'off-shoring' of jobs is a concern in a number of major economies, and trade tensions are challenging global growth prospects. Geopolitical uncertainty shows few signs of abating and non-traditional business risks, from international terrorism to global climate change, health concerns and the impact of aging populations, continue to grow in both quantity and complexity. New skills and approaches are needed by business to manage and mitigate these risks, and to achieve what Booz Allen Hamilton has termed 'enterprise resilience' - the ability and capacity to withstand systemic discontinuities and adjust to new risk environments.