Sustainability and Financial Performance: Analyzing the Relationship Between B Impact Assessment Scores and Revenue Growth in Certified B Corporations

Abstract

This research examines the association between B Impact Assessment (BIA) scores and annual revenue growth of 155 licensed B Corporations in the United States. Certified B Corps and other stakeholders need to know about this association, as it provides empirical evidence of the potential profit advantages of embracing sustainability. Spearman’s rank-order correlations indicate no statistically significant association between overall B Impact Assessment scores and revenue shifts, suggesting that sustainability assessments are not directly associated with shortterm financial performance. Nonetheless, quite a few high positive correlations were observed across specific BIA dimensions, notably between governance vs. worker-related scores, customer scores, and workers’ well-being scores. Notably, well-governed businesses prioritise employees’ well-being, often with an environmental focus. In contrast, no significant correlations were seen with other dimensions of the BIA, suggesting that community interventions exist independently of organisational priorities. While governance, worker well-being, environmental performance, and long-term financial performance have a direct monetary impact, this paper argues that the research lacks quantification and a direct effect on income in the short term. The study's results suggest that sustainable businesses should adopt a long-term approach to financial returns from social initiatives. The study adds to our understanding of the correlation between B Corporations and economic growth and identifies potential research directions.