In this brilliant book, based on primary research, Benjamin Hunt argues that risk aversion is now institutionalised in business. The belief systems that used to drive business forward in the past have broken down, replaced by fear and anxiety about change and the future. Risk aversion has now become a more permanent mindset and mode of operation, existing even in periods of economic recovery.

The Timid Corporation shows that managers are on the defensive. Worried about appearing to be unethical, irresponsible, failing to manage risk, and inefficient with capital, managers have imposed a massive new raft of self-regulation on corporate behaviour - from ethical codes of conduct, to risk management procedures, corporate governance rules, sustainable development and corporate social responsibility regulation. At the same time, corporations have never been more defensive in their commercial behaviour. Today, corporations aim to get 'close to the customer' at all times, are obsessed with brand loyalty, only innovate in a safe fashion, and avoid bold investment.