Mission corporation or resignation corporation ?

Many economists and sociologists agree on the emergence of two major trends now characterizing the business world and the labor market. The first is the expected expansion of the traditional corporate perimeter to include societal and environmental issues: this is the notion of the modern corporation. This has given rise to the legal term “mission-driven company”, which has also become a desirable norm from the point of view of consumers and employees alike. The second is a much more acute search for meaning in work, a phenomenon that has been amplified in the wake of Covid-19. This new demand for usefulness and meaning has even become one of workers’ primary requirements, particularly among the younger generations. Consequently, companies that have failed to rethink the meaning of their actions or the role of workers are now faced with a massive resignation phenomenon and soaring turnover. Epidemic of laziness: no! Search for meaning in work, yes! Are mission-driven companies the best answer to this phenomenon of great resignation? Can companies without a mission still retain their talent?