Industries of contested value

Won-Yong Oh

Chapter 9 in Market Capitalism and Social Responsibility, 2026, pp 143-158 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter investigates industries that embody the paradoxes of modern capitalism, where innovation and growth coexist with profound ethical and social dilemmas. Sectors often promoted as “green” or socially beneficial—such as nuclear energy, electric vehicles, ethanol fuels, and rare earth minerals—reveal hidden costs including environmental degradation, human rights concerns, and geopolitical risks. Likewise, sin industries such as gambling, alcohol, and tobacco highlight the tension between economic gain and social harm, raising questions of legitimacy and authentic corporate responsibility. The chapter also examines fast fashion, Big Tech, and platform businesses, whose rapid expansion has generated convenience and efficiency but simultaneously intensified labor exploitation, market monopolization, and sustainability challenges. Across these cases, the analysis underscores that corporate responsibility must move beyond image management to address structural risks, transparency, and long-term social value.

Keywords: Controversial Industries; Sustainability Dilemmas; Sin Industries; Greenwashing; Ethical Consumption; Legitimacy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
ISBN: 9781049409207
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