Much has been written and discussed of late regarding the value that sustainability and corporate responsibility can create. Although these terms are defined in various ways, sustainability generally is considered the environmental practices of a company, while corporate responsibility is considered the practices that contribute to the social good.

Most often, these practices are considered from the point of view of the contributions they make to society at large, and secondarily to the business bottom line. I am a firm believer in their importance and their future as mainstays of business. However,...