Guest Column | New York Times | April 3, 2016

The Power of C.E.O. Activism: How Politically Outspoken Executives Sway Public (and Consumer) Opinion

by Aaron K. Chatterji and Michael W. Toffel

Abstract

Some CEOs are making news by taking public stances on controversial social issues largely unrelated to their core business. This article summarizes the insights from our research paper that shows that such "CEO activism" can influence public opinion and consumer attitudes.

Keywords: leadership; Leadership & Corporate Accountability; Non-market Strategy; corporate social responsibility; politics; political influence; political strategy; political risk; equity; gender; climate change; Communication Strategy; Law; Leadership; Brands and Branding; Media; Problems and Challenges; Civil Society or Community; Social Issues; Public Opinion; United States; Georgia (state, US); North Carolina; Indiana; Indianapolis;

Format: Print Read Now

Citation:

Chatterji, Aaron K., and Michael W. Toffel. "The Power of C.E.O. Activism: How Politically Outspoken Executives Sway Public (and Consumer) Opinion." Grey Matter. New York Times (April 3, 2016), SR10.

About the Author

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Michael W. Toffel
Senator John Heinz Professor of Environmental Management
Technology and Operations Management

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