MIS540
Week 1: Case Study: Letting Business Solve Social Problems
MIS540
Introduction
Michael Porter is an economist, researcher, author, advisor, speaker, and teacher whose academic
focus is business and economy [ CITATION Mic \l 1033 ]. Michael Porter’s research and
published books have led him to be the most cited business scholar in both business and
economics. His research for the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness focuses on business as
a solution to social problems. Michael Porter argues that social problems are the largest business
opportunity today, and there is no tradeoff between social progress and economic efficiency in
any fundamental sense [ CITATION Wal13 \l 1033 ]. In June 2013, Michael Porter addressed the
audience at a TED Conference to discuss business as a solution to social problems. This case
study will discuss the following questions based on the previously mentioned TED talk:
1. In today’s global business, does the physical location of a business matter?
2. Do you agree or disagree that business can solve social problems?
In today’s global business, does the physical location of a business matter?
The physical location of a business only matters to a very small group of businesses in
today’s global economy. Apart from the food and hospitality industry, many businesses today
have rid themselves of brick-and-mortar locations and have moved their businesses completely
online. MIS, or management information systems, has made the transition from a physical office
space to a remotely working from home more efficient. Management information systems is a
business function that moves information about people, products, and processes across the
company to facilitate decision making and problem solving [ CITATION Bal19 \l 1033 ]. The
COVID-19 pandemic that struck the globe in 2019 and continues to impact the world today, has
Week 1: Case Study: Letting Business Solve Social Problems
MIS540
Introduction
Michael Porter is an economist, researcher, author, advisor, speaker, and teacher whose academic
focus is business and economy [ CITATION Mic \l 1033 ]. Michael Porter’s research and
published books have led him to be the most cited business scholar in both business and
economics. His research for the Institute for Strategy and Competitiveness focuses on business as
a solution to social problems. Michael Porter argues that social problems are the largest business
opportunity today, and there is no tradeoff between social progress and economic efficiency in
any fundamental sense [ CITATION Wal13 \l 1033 ]. In June 2013, Michael Porter addressed the
audience at a TED Conference to discuss business as a solution to social problems. This case
study will discuss the following questions based on the previously mentioned TED talk:
1. In today’s global business, does the physical location of a business matter?
2. Do you agree or disagree that business can solve social problems?
In today’s global business, does the physical location of a business matter?
The physical location of a business only matters to a very small group of businesses in
today’s global economy. Apart from the food and hospitality industry, many businesses today
have rid themselves of brick-and-mortar locations and have moved their businesses completely
online. MIS, or management information systems, has made the transition from a physical office
space to a remotely working from home more efficient. Management information systems is a
business function that moves information about people, products, and processes across the
company to facilitate decision making and problem solving [ CITATION Bal19 \l 1033 ]. The
COVID-19 pandemic that struck the globe in 2019 and continues to impact the world today, has
