Corporate Political Responsibility: Why Companies Should Get More Political
Corporate Political Responsibility: Why Companies Should Get More Political
Business and politics are commonly thought of as coming together only when companies lobby for policies on specific issues that affect their profits. But the strict separation of politics, the economy, and society has always been more of a myth than a reality. And, in the 21st century, companies should get more directly political, argues Doctor Johannes Bohnen, co-chairman of the Atlantische Initiative, a Berlin-based think tank.
Why should businesses engage more politically? Many companies have large financial, communications and knowledge-based resources, says Bohnen, which can be used responsibly both for the common good as well as their own interests. He argues that it is increasingly important that a brand features a political dimension as part of its core business. To Bohnen, political responsibility means that companies need to meet societal expectations. He explains, “Enterprises need to develop guiding principles by which they can adjust their governance services as well as their business goals.” Read his provocative prescription for Corporate Political Responsibility at atlantic-community.org.
I’m John Howell for 3BL Media.