The trapdoor in the platform: will corporate purpose be enough?

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-62
Author(s):  
Peter Buell Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Middle Class ◽  
Productivity Growth ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Significant Shift ◽  
Purchasing Power ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Growth Decline ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose The purpose of the paper is to assess whether current corporate commitments to serve all stakeholders rather than just shareholders will protect corporate reputation during the coming economic downturn. Design/methodology/approach This paper reviews recent corporate commitments to corporate purpose and sustainability as well as critiques of these commitments to determine the likely public and governmental responses in the context of declining middle-class purchasing power and record profits. Findings The author believes that unless corporations make deeper commitments to productivity growth, higher wages and strengthening employment, there will be meaningful restrictions imposed upon their freedom to operate. Research limitations/implications This review of corporate commitments and critiques is selective and not comprehensive. To the extent that the findings relate to events in the future, they are, by definition, non-verifiable. Practical implications If corporations begin to address the concerns discussed here before the next sharp economic downturn, they may be able to escape significant new obligations imposed by the governments. If not, they are likely to lose both freedom of action and reputation. Social implications Depending on the flow of events, large segments of the population could turn against big corporations, representing a significant shift in the cultural and political environment. Originality/value Much has been written about the intersection of stagnation in productivity growth, decline in middle-class purchasing power and income inequality. However, the author believes that there has been little attention given to the possible implications from the perspective of corporate reputation.

The rainbow sign: climate change and corporate reputation

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (3) ◽  
pp. 52-56
Author(s):  
Peter Buell Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Secondary Literature ◽  
Qualitative Interpretation ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to highlight the increasing importance corporate responses to climate change will play in corporate reputation. Design/methodology/approach Review of the relevant secondary literature Findings Companies that develop active responses to climate change will see positive impact on their corporate reputation. Research limitations/implications The review of the secondary literature is not comprehensive and subject to the author’s qualitative interpretation of it. Practical implications Companies that follow the recommendations will see a benefit in stakeholder appreciation. Social implications The more companies embrace a proactive stance on climate change, the more likely society is to meet the 2 per cent goal. Originality/value To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first treatment of climate change from the perspective of corporate reputation.

What news on the Rialto? Geopolitics and reputation risk

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (6) ◽  
pp. 9-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Buell Hirsch
Keyword(s):  
Multinational Corporations ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Skill Sets ◽  
International Media ◽  
Reputation Risk ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Practical Implications ◽  
New Infrastructure

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to examine how changes in the global geopolitical climate have created new and more acute reputation risks for multinational corporations. Design/methodology/approach This viewpoint examines recent shifts in the global geopolitical claims covered in international media and analyzes variety of instances in which these shifts have created new and more intense reputation risks. From this analysis, the authors derive insights into how companies can prepare for and manage their operations to mitigate potential reputation risks. Findings The author finds that the increases in reputation risk created by shifting global geopolitical structures expose weaknesses in the infrastructure and skill sets by which companies manage their corporate reputation and makes recommendations about overcoming these weaknesses. Research limitations/implications The geopolitical issues analyzed and the reputation risks exposed are selective; therefore, this is not a comprehensive review of all the potential risks. Practical/implications Companies can do a great deal to protect themselves from new reputation risks created by the geopolitical shifts discussed by setting up a new infrastructure for managing and reporting on these risks and hiring communications professionals with the appropriate capabilities for analyzing and managing the risks. Social/implications If these new risks are well managed, the potential for significant business disruption and the safety and security of corporate employees could be significantly reduced. Originality/value To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first discussion of geopolitical shifts and corporate reputation.

Facebook and your corporate reputation

2016 ◽  
Vol 32 (11) ◽  
pp. 1-3
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
The Rich ◽  
Formed Part ◽  
First Time ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings The year 2016 will in part be remembered, like all years divisible by four since 1896, by the Olympic spectacle that emanated for the first time from Brazil’s most famous city, Rio de Janeiro. But will it be the success, or the scandal that lingers longest in the memory? As with all modern Olympics, it was a blend of astonishing achievements, colorful celebration and sudden scandals – banned athletes, drug cheats, badly behaved swimmers and dodgy decisions all formed part of the rich canvas that enthralls millions each time it is held. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Interview with Sylvia Anne Hewlett

2010 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 33-34
Author(s):  
Interview by Juliet Norton
Keyword(s):  
Gender Gap ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Public Affairs ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
World Economic Forum ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The World ◽  
Policy Program ◽  
World Economic ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to provide an interview with Sylvia Anne Hewlett, founder and president of the Center for Work Life Policy and Director of the Gender and Policy Program at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs.Design/methodology/approachThis briefing is prepared by an independent interviewer.FindingsSylvia is a member of the World Economic Forum Council on the Gender Gap. She is the author of nine books including When the Bough Breaks (winner of a Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Book Prize), and, most recently, Off‐Ramps and On‐Ramps. This interview discusses her recent publication: Top Talent: Keeping Performance Up When Business is Down and how to engage and retain talent in the workplace.Practical implicationsProvides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.Originality/valueThis interview provides insights into the strategies that employers should adopt to retain and engage talent and how organizations can better communicate with their employees following the economic downturn.

Training academy puts a shine on Opel

2014 ◽  
Vol 22 (7) ◽  
pp. 21-22
Author(s):  
David Pollitt
Keyword(s):  
Staff Development ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Online Training ◽  
Social Implications ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Business Growth ◽  
Content Type ◽  
A Company ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to investigate the views of the employees of GM Hellas, the subsidiary of the Opel car manufacturer in Greece, with regard to the training they receive from their employer. Design/methodology/approach – It explains that the conclusions are based on the responses of 114 employees and trainees to a survey at Opel’s 22 largest dealers in Greece. Findings – It reveals that the training provided by GM Hellas is viewed positively by most employees. Practical implications – It indicates that GM Hellas could make greater use of online training, which is both popular and cost-effective. Social implications – It highlights how staff development is contributing to the performance of a company that is flourishing, despite the severe economic downturn in Greece. Originality/value – Emphasizes the importance of in-company training for business growth and competitiveness.

Why companies succeed or fail: corporate cycles and firm function in tandem

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Panos Mourdoukoutas ◽  
Abraham Stefanidis
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Equity Valuation ◽  
Social Functions ◽  
Wall Street ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Revenue Growth ◽  
Growth Decline ◽  
Long Time ◽  
Conceptual Study ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to underscore the need for developing a model of corporate cycles, which can explain how corporations rise, decline and fall in the marketplace. Design/methodology/approach This is a conceptual study that draws on prior theoretical and empirical insights of the entrepreneurial, managerial and social functions of the firm to develop a model of corporate cycles. Findings Firms that pass the test of the market and live for a long time, undergo cycles, expansions and contractions, driven by successes and failures in the way they configure and execute their entrepreneurial, managerial and social, functions. Practical implications A model of corporate cycles can explain how momentum rises and falls on Wall Street. It can also help predict revenue growth, a key variable in equity valuation models. Originality/value The originality of this study stems from a constructive synthesis of different concepts and theories of the firm to explain firms’ growth, decline and fall in the marketplace.

Building and protecting corporate reputation

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (4) ◽  
pp. 25-31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter J. Firestein
Keyword(s):  
Small Group ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Striking Feature ◽  
Senior Executives ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Practical Implications

PurposeA risk to reputation is a threat to the survival of the business, but senior executives seldom focus on it.Design/methodology/approachThe reputational collapses in four cases (Merck, Marsh, Anderson and Monsanto) share a single striking feature: they were not limited to a small group of corporate manipulators.FindingsThe cases demonstrate enterprise involvement in misconduct and failure of leadership.Practical implicationsThe author proposes three steps leaders can take to alter the corporate mindset and prepare the organization to deal effectively with reputational crisis.Originality/valueThe three steps, and the examples of organizations that have taken preemptive action to secure their reputation, provide an excellent guide for leaders.

Building a corporate reputation

2014 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 21-23
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Corporate Reputation ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Social Impact ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Social Initiative ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach – This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings – CR is an imperative business issue, since a firm's reputation is a crucial link between social initiative and profitability and it is a difficult resource to create. When making decisions about actions that can affect stakeholders it is very important for the organization to know and understand the needs of its stakeholders, and ensure that strategies are executed successfully, in order to avoid a negative effect in CR. Practical implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations. Social implications – The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that can have a broader social impact. Originality/value – The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

A strategy of survival during Nigeria’s economic downturn

2019 ◽  
Vol 35 (8) ◽  
pp. 19-20
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Economic Downturn ◽  
Survival Strategy ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Client Relationships ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Construction Services ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings This research paper concentrates on the reasons why the labor-only procurement of construction services is being commonly used in Nigeria. Adopting a survival strategy for hard economic times of accepting labor-only work benefits small- and medium-sized contractors by providing quick sources of cash flow and by allowing them to build more client relationships, while small private clients benefit from cost savings and from controlling material quality. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives, strategists, and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

Sustainability and luxury fashion products

2017 ◽  
Vol 33 (11) ◽  
pp. 16-19 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Middle Class ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
Design Methodology ◽  
Reading Time ◽  
Chinese Consumers ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Fashion Products ◽  
Pertinent Information ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose This paper aims to review the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoint practical implications from cutting-edge research and case studies. Design/methodology/approach This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context. Findings Customer concern about sustainability is growing within the luxury fashion sector. However, importance attached to sustainability varies. Firms need to better understand the different customer types, factors which motivate their purchase of luxury fashion items and the degree to which sustainability influences their decision-making. Such knowledge can provide firms with valuable opportunities within an expanding market in which middle-class Chinese consumers are playing an increasingly significant part. Practical implications The paper provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world’s leading organizations. Originality/value The briefing saves busy executives and researchers hours of reading time by selecting only the very best, most pertinent information and presenting it in a condensed and easy-to-digest format.

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