Five founding principles
RBI’s policy work is grounded in a set of institutional principles that guide our research, recommendations, and priorities.
These principles reflect our belief that responsible business practice must be anchored in legal clarity, financial materiality, and long-term value creation. They form the foundation of RBI’s efforts to build bipartisan consensus, promote sound governance, and give companies and investors stable, market-based tools for navigating political and regulatory uncertainty.
Legal clarity and regulatory certainty
Corporations, investors, asset managers, and asset owners must be able to rely on clear legal principles and stable regulations to make informed business and investment decisions.
Corporate purpose
The purpose of corporations is long-term value creation for shareholders, while acknowledging that the profit motive is consistent with a corporation’s ability to consider the environment in which it operates or the interests of its employees, customers, or suppliers.
Risk and opportunity management
All material risks and opportunities should be incorporated in strategy and capital allocation, with risks reasonably and properly disclosed to investors using clearly understood standards.
Executive responsibility and board oversight
Corporate executives are responsible for managing the company with board oversight and sensible engagement with shareholders.
Fiduciary duties
Clearly defined fiduciary duties for executives, boards, and asset managers must continue to be the paramount factor for decision-making to ensure long-term value creation.