Madrid, Spain, September 26, 2024. NEORIS, the global digital accelerator with more than 20 years of experience in the digital transformation of large companies, participated as a speaker at the event entitled "The Role of Companies in the 21st Century,” organized by the Ecumenical Social Forum in collaboration with Universidad Pontificia Comillas and Universidad Rey Juan Carlos. The meeting brought together leading experts from the academic and business fields to discuss the growing importance of corporate social responsibility (CSR), ESG (environmental, social and governance) criteria, and how technology is transforming the business landscape.

Participants included Jorge Lukowski, Global Director of Marketing and Communication at NEORIS, who highlighted the renowned figures in attendance, including:

• Luis Bameule (entrepreneur)
• Fernando Flores Maio (Ecumenical Social Forum)
• Francisco Marhuenda (Director of the Spanish newspaper La Razón)
• Stefano Zamagni (University of Bologna, Johns Hopkins University, Vatican Academy of Social Sciences)
• José Luis Fernández Fernández and Javier Márquez Gil (Universidad Pontificia Comillas)
• Jorge Urosa Sánchez, Alicia Blanco González and Sandra Escamilla Solano (Universidad Rey Juan Carlos)
• Marta González Álvarez (Universidad de Burgos)

The event, which took place in a hybrid format, had more than 100 attendees, both in person and virtual, who actively participated in the debate on the growing importance of the social role of companies in the 21st century.

The transformative power of business and technology

Jorge Lukowski highlighted the transformative impact of ESG and technology in the 21st century. During his speech, he stressed that companies should not only invest in ESG, but should see it as an opportunity to transform their business models, ensuring that their decisions not only generate financial value, but also contribute to a more sustainable future.

He also mentioned that investing in ESG criteria not only mitigates financial, regulatory and reputational risks, but also increases the competitiveness and operational efficiency of companies. For example, a recent study by Harvard Business Review shows that companies that adopt ESG policies can reduce their operating costs by up to 16%, while improving their long-term competitiveness.

“Technology is the key to making these business and sustainability strategies a reality,” Lukowski said, referring to the use of Artificial Intelligence, blockchain and cloud computing as essential tools to ensure greater transparency and traceability in business operations. An example of this is Active Trac, a solution developed by NEORIS that combines the latest technology in sensors and satellite positioning with data analysis to generate a robust cloud-based platform, where fleet performance can be monitored and optimized in real time.

The ethical and social dimension of technology

During his speech, Lukowski also highlighted the role of technology in improving the social and ethical dimension of companies. He stressed that emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, are significantly contributing to improving public health systems and developing solutions for vulnerable populations. These tools allow companies to not only operate more efficiently, but also create social and ethical value in their communities.

One example of this is Promoting Talent, a global program designed to train young people in technological skills, fostering labor inclusion and contributing to closing the digital gap in vulnerable communities. This initiative reinforces NEORIS' focus on a more equitable and sustainable future, aligning its corporate values with the expectations of new generations.

A debate in constant evolution

The forum offered a dynamic platform where academics, businesspeople and experts debated the evolving role of companies in the global economy. The growing responsibility of organizations to integrate sustainability and ethics into their business models was discussed, in order to generate a positive impact at a financial and social level. Importantly, the concerns of some economists who argue companies should limit themselves to compliance with the law without assuming additional responsibilities were also addressed.

During the event, Stefano Zamagni criticized the reductionist view of a company as a simple “nexus of contracts,” arguing that companies must recover their ethical dimension and assume an active role in social change. Zamagni argued that corporate social responsibility should not be seen as an additional cost, but as a strategic necessity for companies that wish to be relevant in the future.

With his participation, Jorge Lukowski reaffirmed NEORIS' commitment to digital transformation and sustainability, positioning the company as a benchmark in the implementation of technology to advance ESG practices. This intervention reinforces NEORIS' vision of a more ethical and responsible business model, which not only pursues profitability, but also social and environmental well-being.