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Americans hold a more favorable opinion of CEOs who take public stances on controversial topics, according to "The Dawn of CEO Activism," a study released by Weber Shandwick and KRC Research. The study identified CEO activism as a factor that can drive and differentiate corporate reputation.
"At a time when the world is growing more complex, polarized and politically charged, the research provides an early roadmap by which CEOs may chart the costs and benefits of speaking up on contentious societal issues. Weber Shandwick wanted to take the pulse on where Americans stand on this evolutionary shift in attitudes towards business involvement in social issues." said Leslie Gaines-Ross, IPR Trustee and chief reputation strategist at Weber Shandwick. Read more.
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Chris Wilson, Ph.D., Brigham Young University
When a crisis arises, public outrage can greatly hinder organizational autonomy and its freedom to operate. Arthur W. Page's oft-quoted tenet, "All business begins with the public permission and exists by public approval," is still a contemporary business reality.
Three years ago, SeaWorld was struggling to overcome growing public disapproval resulting from the CNN broadcast of Blackfish. Because of public outrage, SeaWorld was forced to abandon its core identity, which was centered on its iconic killer whale performances. In other words, it lost its autonomy and was compelled to become something different from what it was or risk its very existence. However, by adopting a new publicly sanctioned identity, SeaWorld may have salvaged its future by recapturing a degree of public approval and confidence and, as a result, possibly may have regained some of its autonomy. Read more.
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Daantje Derks, Ph.D., Desiree van Duin, Maria Tims , Ph.D., and Arnold B. Bakker, Ph.D., Erasmus University Rotterdam
Smartphones enable employees to stay connected to their work at any place, at any time. One major advantage of the increased flexibility facilitated by smartphone use is that it can help employees combine their work and non-work responsibilities. However, research on smartphone use has also consistently shown that the boundaries between work and family life become more permeable.
Organizations should be transparent about what is expected of employees and to make employees aware of the potential pitfalls of smartphone use regarding a disturbed work-home balance. Managers should aim to foster work engagement among their employees and find ways to optimize smartphone use without losing consideration for a healthy balance. Read more.
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Christian Wiencierz, Ph.D., Katharina G. Pöppel, Ph.D., and Ulrike Röttger, Ph.D., University of Münster
During an online fundraising campaign, it is crucial for communication managers to closely monitor all social media activity. According to a recent study, social media "likes" have no influence on the evaluation of an organization's trustworthiness. However, negative comments can make a huge impact on the perceived importance of a campaign.
If online visitors recognize a balance of both negative and positive comments, the negative impression can be counteracted. Therefore, it is important that social media managers develop a community of supporters. This approach will enhance the likelihood of positive comments by supporters and result in a successful campaign. Read more.
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