ABOUT THE SPEAKER
Our next Adam Smith Lecturer will be Professor Sir John Kay.
Sir John will present insights from his latest book, The Corporation in the Twenty-First Century: Why (almost) everything we are told about business is wrong, delving into the evolving nature of the corporation in the twenty-first century. Once perceived as entities controlled by a capitalist elite, today's corporations are vastly different. In an era where our most valuable commodities are intangible—be it digital services, intellectual property, or brand reputation—the traditional model of the corporation is under scrutiny. Products and production have dematerialised; the workers are the means of production. They can take the plant home and increasingly do.
Yet outmoded Marxist rhetoric continues to be the language of critics of business - and of business itself. In this lecture will explore how the relentless pursuit of shareholder value has led to the downfall of some of the most prominent companies of the last century, addressing the current crisis of legitimacy facing big businesses, from the pharmaceutical industry's public trust issues to the growing discontent with income inequality.
Join us to gain a deeper understanding of the forces shaping the modern corporation and the future of economic power. This lecture promises to be thought-provoking and transformative, offering new perspectives on how businesses can thrive ethically and sustainably in the modern world.
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Please note this event is invite only but there will be a chance to enter a public ballot for a chance to secure places.
