Stakeholders expect US businesses to take a position

Significance

In response, companies of all sizes are becoming progressively more vocal about societal problems, from racial and gender inequalities to climate change and gun violence. To retain the trust and attention of their stakeholders, chief executives must now engage with issues they previously avoided as hazardous territory.

Impacts

• Companies will add social justice goals to mission and values statements, with internal compliance and enforcement measures.
• CEOs will need to consider the intersectionality of social issues, not 'silo' them.
• Not responding to a high-profile societal issue will be taken as a corporate response in itself, with reputational consequences.
• Breaking with traditional Republican party lines may have implications for corporate political donations.