performance theory in modern physics
From new therapies for drugs and energy production to the development of computer chips Science has provided the basis for many of the world’s biggest technological advances. However, while innovation is what drives the field of science, business is all focused on making money and keeping shareholders satisfied. Business and science were traditionally thought of as two distinct realms. But, they are interconnected, and it is impossible to separate the impact of scientific research from its business impacts.
While the business world is predominantly focused on making money, its long-term effects could be significant for the environment, social and economic impacts. Science is also concerned about the consequences of its actions, in particular its decisions regarding the exploitation of resources and sustainable development. A wise business, for example, will exploit a natural resource at an amount that science deems as sustainable, but the greed of some businesses has led to over-exploitation and ecological disaster.
We have categorized the different ways corporations try to influence science at macro and meso scales and have coded the intended outcomes and effects of these strategies (TL performed the initial code-coding, AG second-coded 20 per percent of the papers). We found that corporations employ five macro-level strategies that work together to diminish the credibility of unfavourable research and increase the credibility of positive science. These strategies are operationalised by meso strategies that gradually alter the evidence base to the favor of industry. This has three distal effects to discredit the harms that could be that are caused by the use of industry products and practices; promote policies that are in favour of industry; and to boost consumption, sales and use of industry products.