Science has been at the heart of a lot of the significant technological advances in the world. From new treatments for cancer and energy production, to computer chip technology. However, while innovation is what drives research, business is focused on making money and keeping shareholders happy. Traditionally, the worlds of science and business were seen as distinct entities. However, they are interconnected, and it is impossible to separate the impact of research in science as well as its impact on business.
While the business world is mostly concerned with making money, its long-term effects could have significant environmental, social and economic repercussions. Science is also concerned about the consequences of its actions in particular its decisions about the exploitation of resources and sustainability. A smart business would, for instance exploit a resource to the level that science deems sustainable. But greedy businesses have led to the over-exploitation of natural resources and ecological disaster.
We have codified the expected results and the outcomes of these strategies. (TL did the initial coding, and AG coded 20% of the papers). We discovered that companies employ five macro-level strategies, which work together to reduce the perceived credibility of skeptical science and to increase the value of favorable science. These web strategies are implemented via meso-strategies that over time alter evidence in favor of the industry. This has three effects: to cast doubt on the potential harms that are caused by the use of industry products and practices; to promote policies that are in favour of industry; and to maximise the sales, consumption and use of products from industry.
