Commentary on the identity and supererogatory actions of companies

Abstract

This paper argues that identity economics and social psychology provide a useful frame of reference to interpret supererogatory actions and suggests that identity of companies can be a driving force behind these actions. Companies may perform actions against the narrow sense of economic rationality if those actions serve purposes of high importance for them. The climate crisis and the more recent COVID-19 crisis call for supererogatory actions by companies more than ever before.