Business goals and social commitment. Shaping organisational capabilities:Colombia’s Fundación Social, 1984-2011

Corporations, business groups and other business organizations are increasingly concerned about social challenges that directly impact the future of capitalism. Colombia''s Fundación Social (FS)-a century-old Latin American business group - has from its start operated under two different but closely intertwined rationales: as a market, profit-seeking player; and as a civil society organization practicing solidarity. Social aims are at the core of FS’ mission, and business firms are instrumental. Remarkably, despite decades of growth as a ranking business group, FS’ underlying objective remained grounded in concern for the poor: ??To fight the structural causes of poverty.’’