JOURNAL OF APPLIED BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS
Intergenerational Leadership: Coordinating
Common Goods and Economic Stability
Author(s): Julia M. Puaschunder
Citation: Julia M. Puaschunder, (2017) "Intergenerational Leadership: Coordinating Common Goods and Economic Stability," Journal of Applied Business and Economics, Vol. 19, Iss.11, pp. 64-77
Article Type: Research paper
Publisher: North American Business Press
Abstract:
Globalization leveraged pressure on contemporary society. Global systemic risks of climate change and
overindebtedness in the aftermath of the 2008/09 World Financial Crisis currently raise attention for
intergenerational fairness. Pressing social dilemmas beyond the control of singular nation states call for
corporate social activities to back governmental regulation in crisis mitigation. The following paper
promotes the idea of intergenerational equity in the corporate world as an alternative means to
coordinating the common goods and imbuing economic stability beyond a purely governmental approach.
The outlined intergenerational equity constraints herald a call for intergenerational equity – the fairness
to provide an at least as favorable standard of living as enjoyed today. As an implicit contract and
transfer inbetween living and future generations, intergenerational equity avoids discriminating against
future generations and ensures future infrastructure, equal opportunities over time and constant access to
social welfare for the youth. Intergenerational equity grants a favorable climate between generations and
alleviates frictions arising from the negative impacts of intergenerational inequity. Outlining some of the
causes of the current intergenerational imbalances regarding climate stability and overindebtedness
prepares for recommendations on how to implement intergenerational transfers. The impact of
intergenerational transfers on societal well-being is discussed. Future research avenues comprise of
investigating situational factors influencing intergenerational leadership in the international arena in
order to advance the idea of the private sector aiding on intergenerational imbalances and tackling the
most pressing contemporary challenges of mankind.