Science has been the foundation of many of the important technological advances in the world. From the latest drug treatments and energy production to the development of computer chips. While innovation is the driving factor behind science but business is about making money and keeping shareholders happy. Traditionally, the two fields of business and science were seen as distinct entities. But, they are interconnected and it is impossible to disentangle the impact of scientific research and its business impact.
While businesses are focused on profit, the long-term consequences of its decisions can be significant for the environment, social and economic consequences. Science is also concerned with the impact of its decisions and its decisions, particularly those regarding the exploitation of resources and sustainability. A smart business, for instance will use a natural resource at the level that scientists consider as sustainable – but the greed of some businesses has caused over-exploitation and ecological catastrophe.
We have categorized the different ways that corporations attempt to influence science at the macro and meso levels, and then coded the intended outcomes and consequences of these strategies (TL carried out the initial coding, AG second-coded 20 per percent of papers). We discovered that corporations employ five macro-level strategies that work together to diminish the credibility of unfavourable research and increase the credibility of favourable science. These strategies are implemented through meso strategies that in time, can skew the evidence base in favor of industry. This can result in three distal results: to cast doubt about the potential harms of industry products and practices, to support industry-favoured policy responses and to increase the use, consumption and sales of products and services – thereby increasing profits for corporations.