To B or not to B? The Journey of “Coding Autism” Toward the B Corp Certification

Abstract

This case is based on Coding Autism, a limited liability company founded in April 2017 and located in Westlake Village (California). The case features the decision process followed by the cofounder, Oliver Thornton regarding the opportunity to seek B Corp certification. B Corp is a certification granted by the nonprofit B Lab founded in Philadelphia in 2006 that recognizes for-profit organizations for meeting the “highest standards of verified social and environmental performance, public transparency, and legal accountability and aspire to use the power of markets to solve social and environmental problems.” The case describes the social issue, the start-up, and the social entrepreneur’s background as well as his rationale and analysis finally to become a certified B Corp. The case introduces the students to the social issue of unemployment among young adults within the Autistic spectrum. It also explains what a B Corp is, the process to become certified, the B Impact Assessment, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of seeking the certification. It also describes the differences between the B Corp certification and the relatively new legal status, the benefit corporation. This case sheds light on a critical question relevant for social entrepreneurship students, scholars, and sustainable business practitioners.