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Business in Society Report 2025

More people now trust business than the federal government to act in the public's interest. And most U.S. adults want companies to speak out on current events. But with this growing societal role come increasing expectations. What do Americans want and expect from businesses today? Here are highlights from the findings.

 
51% of Americans want businesses to speak out on current events, up from 38% last year

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53% of Americans say tariffs hurt the U.S. economy. Just 22% say tariffs help the economy

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More (43%) Americans trust businesses than the federal government (31%) to act in society's best interest 

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31% of Americans trust businesses to use artificial intelligence responsibly, up 10 points from 2023

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Only 39% of Americans consistently consider where products are made when buying them

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65% of Americans believe businesses have a positive impact, up 10 points since 2022

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E. LaBrent Chrite, President, Bentley University
"It's clear that Americans' expectations for businesses have expanded beyond just making a profit. The Bentley-Gallup survey provides a real-time view of where Americans think businesses are succeeding at making a positive difference in the world -- and where they are falling short. These insights are invaluable because knowing what customers expect is the first step for good business executives to lead successfully."
 
E. LaBrent Chrite 
President
Bentley University

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Bentley-Gallup Business in Society Report

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