Becoming a Benefit Corporation in the Cosmetics Industry. An Italian case study

Titolo Rivista MANAGEMENT CONTROL
Autori/Curatori Chamochumbi Diaz Gail Denisse, Federica Palazzi, Massimo Ciambotti
Anno di pubblicazione 2026 Fascicolo 2025/3
Lingua Inglese Numero pagine 24 P. 15-38 Dimensione file 205 KB
DOI 10.3280/MACO2025-003002
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This paper aims to explore a company’s transformation process into a Benefit Corporation (BC) by analysing the reasons behind their choice, the obstacles encountered, and the effects, also in terms of sustainability, obtained through the specific case of an SME operating in the cosmetics industry. Findings show that the decision to become a BC was driven by the founders’ intrinsic desire to preserve the company’s ethical mission and ensure the continuity of its social and environmental values. The participatory transformation process involved key steps: defining the company’s purpose, stakeholder mapping, materiality analysis, and setting common benefit objectives. Challenges emerged from internal engagement efforts and regulatory complexities. Results demonstrate that becoming a BC enhanced the company’s consistency, accountability, and sustainability performance, enabling it to structure pre-existing practices and increase stakeholder trust. The study contributes to the literature on hybrid organisations and offers practical insights for SMEs pursuing sustainable transformation.

Parole chiave:Benefit corporation, Corporate social responsibility, Sustainability, cosmetics industry, SMEs

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Chamochumbi Diaz Gail Denisse, Federica Palazzi, Massimo Ciambotti, Becoming a Benefit Corporation in the Cosmetics Industry. An Italian case study in "MANAGEMENT CONTROL" 3/2025, pp 15-38, DOI: 10.3280/MACO2025-003002