What is behind the push toward corporate activism? | Simon Cowan and Emilie Dye

CIS Researchers Simon Cowan and Emilie Dye discuss in detail the findings from their survey on public perception of corporate social and political activism.

When asked about the role of business, 72% of Australians believe that businesses should primarily focus on providing good service to customers and high returns to shareholders, staying out of public debate. Even among Gen Z, the generation most aware and supportive of corporate activism, nearly two-thirds said businesses should stick to business.

The findings reveal that even among employees and shareholders, less than 15% closely follow the activism at their own companies or at the companies where they hold shares.

Young people are the most engaged/supportive of corporate activism, however, they are also the most cynical. They were the generation least likely to “Personal convictions of business leaders” as a reason for why businesses engage in activism.

64% of Gen Z say businesses should stick to business.

Twice as many respondents said they were much more like to boycott a company because they disagreed with its activism than said they were much more likely to purchase from a company because they agreed with its activism. This indicates that businesses risk real losses by getting involved in the public debate, losses that the potential increase in sympathetic customers won’t outweigh.

You can find the full paper on our website: https://www.cis.org.au/publication/bu...


______________________________________________________________________________________________
CIS promotes free choice and individual liberty and the open exchange of ideas. CIS encourages debate among leading academics, politicians, media and the public. We aim to make sure good policy ideas are heard and seriously considered so that Australia can prosper. Follow CIS on our Socials;

Twitter -   / cisoz  
Facebook -   / centreindependentstudies  
Linkedin -   / the-centre-for-independent-studies  
Telegram - https://t.me/centreforindependentstudies

📖 Read more from CIS here: https://www.cis.org.au/
💬 Join in the conversation in the comments.
👍 Like this video if you enjoyed it and want to see more, it really helps us out!
🔔 Subscribe to our channel and click the bell to watch our videos first:    / @cisaus  
⏲️ Missed this event live? Subscribe to CIS to be up to date with all our events:
https://www.cis.org.au/subscribe/
📝 Subscribe to CIS mailing list- https://www.cis.org.au/subscribe/
💳 Support us with a tax-deductible donation at - https://www.cis.org.au/support/