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  • March 2017 (Revised June 2019)
  • Case
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CEO Activism (A)

By: Michael W. Toffel, Aaron K. Chatterji and Julia Kelley
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:28
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Abstract

This case introduces CEO activism, a phenomenon in which business leaders engage in political or social issues that do not relate directly to their companies. The case uses several examples to describe why business leaders are engaging in CEO activism and the potential benefits and drawbacks: (1) how Angie’s List’s CEO responded to the state of Indiana passing a controversial religious freedom law; (2) how Duke Energy’s CEO supported pending U.S. legislation addressing climate change, and (3) how Chobani Yogurt’s CEO publicly supported refugees. Students are then provided with the situation faced by PayPal CEO Dan Schulman after North Carolina passed House Bill 2, which Schulman perceived as discriminatory against LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) individuals. Students are asked to consider whether Schulman should engage in CEO activism and, if so, how best to approach the situation. The (B) case provides an update on Schulman’s decision.

Keywords

Leadership & Corporate Accountability; Environmental And Social Sustainability; Environment; Climate Change; Gender Equality; Communication Strategy; Moral Sensibility; Values and Beliefs; Leadership; Law; Rights; Risk Management; Media; Corporate Social Responsibility and Impact; Religion; Expansion; Strategy; Social Issues; Consumer Products Industry; Electronics Industry; Technology Industry; United States; Indiana; North Carolina

Citation

Toffel, Michael W., Aaron K. Chatterji, and Julia Kelley. "CEO Activism (A)." Harvard Business School Case 617-001, March 2017. (Revised June 2019.)
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About The Author

Michael W. Toffel

Technology and Operations Management
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Related Work

    • March 2017 (Revised October 2017)
    • Faculty Research

    CEO Activism (B)

    By: Michael W. Toffel, Aaron K. Chatterji and Julia Kelley
    • April 2017 (Revised April 2017)
    • Faculty Research

    CEO Activism (A) and (B)

    By: Michael W. Toffel and Aaron K. Chatterji
    • March 2017 (Revised June 2019)
    • Faculty Research

    CEO Activism (A)

    By: Michael W. Toffel, Aaron K. Chatterji and Julia Kelley
Related Work
  • CEO Activism (B) By: Michael W. Toffel, Aaron K. Chatterji and Julia Kelley
  • CEO Activism (A) and (B) By: Michael W. Toffel and Aaron K. Chatterji
  • CEO Activism (A) By: Michael W. Toffel, Aaron K. Chatterji and Julia Kelley
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