Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam | 19–20 June 2025

I believe that life is, at its core, a collection of memories, shared with family, friends, and through one’s professional journey. Some memories are more powerful than others, and participating in the 12th edition of the “Critical and Alternative Thinking on Governance Workshop” hosted by Management & Organisation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam on 19-20 June is undoubtedly one of those meaningful experiences.

This year’s theme, ‘Philosophies of Corporate Governance and of Life: A Contested Terrain of Meanings’, created a generous space for reflection on the meaning, practice, and future of governance in a constantly evolving world.

It was a real pleasure to present the paper: ‘Corporate Innovation and Alternative Economic Systems: Cleaning the Pond of Corporate Governance’ In this work, I propose a reconfiguration of governance so it can better respond to the needs of emerging, sustainable economic paradigms. The paper is grounded in the belief that we cannot truly reform governance without addressing the economic system it supports. At its core lies the metaphor:
“When the water is toxic, you don’t treat the fish; you clean the water”, a philosophical invitation to discuss root causes rather than symptoms.

This paper joined the conversations on how multinational corporate structures prioritise economic productivity, often at the expense of social equity, employee well-being, and environmental sustainability. Boards of directors are frequently caught between shareholder pressures and societal expectations, highlighting the limitations of a profit-maximisation model.

To show that alternatives not only exist but are viable, I included three case studies in the paper:

1. MONDRAGON Corporation, a cooperative founded on economic democracy;
2. Ecosia, a purpose-driven (benefit) corporation that reinvests profits in reforestation and environmental projects;
3. Patagonia, which adopted a stewardship ownership model to preserve its social and environmental mission over time.

The proposed transformation is not cosmetic—it’s ontological. These firms don’t just do business differently – they redefine what “a business” is for.

I was honored to participate as a discussant, offering my perspective on Professor Steven ten Have’s insightful paper on purposive corporate governance models. His contribution combines solid methodology with deep impact.

And because professional memories are all the more special when paired with personal ones, visiting the Rijksmuseum, where I was fortunate to admire the works of Rembrandt, was a moment of quiet inspiration that rounded off the entire experience.

Many thanks to Prof. dr. Svetlana Khapova, Prof. Wafa Khlif,  Prof. Lotfi Karoui, PhD, MBA, BBA, dr. Agota Szabo, Andra Iacob and the organising team at Management & Organisation, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, TBS Education – Barcelona, and ISC Groupe Paris for creating such a meaningful space for critical reflection and alternative thinking.