With the US midterm elections just in the rear view mirror, domestic political activism and social consciousness are not surprisingly at peak levels.. Individuals are obviously energized, but so are companies. For instance, more than 135 employers including Cava, Walmart, Levi Strauss & Co, Tyson Foods, and Patagonia, have launched campaigns to promote civic engagement and paid leave to facilitate voting in the elections.
The role of companies engaged in what is commonly labeled as corporate social responsibility (CSR) signals a longer-term shift. More than ever before, the global C-Suite finds itself with a unique platform, and an expectation from growing numbers of employees, to shape societal discourse, going beyond traditionally-defined CSR to address societal issues at every stage of their value chains
This presents both an enormous opportunity for companies to help reshape the capitalist system more inclusively and a tremendous challenge for them to pursue broader societal objectives in a way that can simultaneously redound to their commercial success. Yet, executives’ fear of public retribution for sharing personal convictions can often keep them from speaking up.
By: Paul A. Laudicina
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