Corporate Political Responsibility

An Emerging Best Practice
For Public Affairs Governance

The socio-political environment for business is increasingly volatile and complex, and is likely to remain so. With the politicization of issue after issue, the need to manage external influences in a consistent, principled and prepared way could not be more pressing.

“Corporate Political Responsibility” (CPR) provides a non-partisan best practice for more integrated governance of public affairs, that can help companies navigate the current landscape in a principled way. CPR is both a necessary practical risk management strategy and a critical enabler of long-term value for business and society, regardless of the political environment.

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The CPR Hub is a dynamic, curated central site featuring practical ways to apply CPR Governance to a company’s unique situation, and compelling materials for exploring why, when and how. 

The socio-political environment for business is increasingly volatile and complex, and is likely to remain so. With the politicization of issue after issue, the need to manage external influences in a consistent, principled and prepared way could not be more pressing.

“Corporate Political Responsibility” (CPR) provides a non-partisan best practice for more integrated governance of public affairs, that can help companies navigate the current landscape in a principled way. CPR is both a necessary practical risk management strategy and a critical enabler of long-term value for business and society, regardless of the political environment.

Toolkits

Step-by-step practical tools to help managers, boards, advisors and investors assess risks, improve decision-making and embed best practices.

CPR Governance Review Guide for Managers

Guides you through a step-by-step process for identifying strengths, areas of exposure and opportunities to improve public affairs governance. Beta release planned for mid-June. Please let us know using the contact form if you would like to receive a copy when available.
Coming Soon

Showcase

A dynamic repository of CPR resources from across the field, including tools, reports and educational materials.
ToolThe Erb Institute CPR Taskforce

Developed with Erb Institute’s Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce, in consultation with academics and over 40 stakeholder groups from across the political spectrum, the Erb Principles for CPR offer a thought process for non-partisan, defensible decisions in turbulent times.  The principles of legitimacy, accountability, responsibility, and transparency provide actionable and non-partisan approach to weighing when, how and why to engage in political affairs, to manage risk and advance long-term value creation for business and society. 

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ToolThe Erb Institute CPR Taskforce

This CPR Decision Tool and Executive Conversation Guide is part of a suite of tools and resources that make it easier for companies to take a principled and responsible approach to a specific public affairs decision. Specifically, it is meant to help them apply the Erb Principles for CPR to weigh whether and how to engage in a specific political scenario.

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ArticleMIT Sloan Management Review

Addresses the increasing role that political turbulence is having on corporations’ ability to accomplish strategic objectives and tips for navigating external political uncertainty.  

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This playbook sets out practical guidance for companies on how to optimise their indirect “policy footprint”. It covers how to assess and improve associations' alignment and impact, by clarifying their strategic policy priorities, evaluating where to invest in important trade association relationships, and engaging those associations constructively and effectively. 

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ToolWe Mean Business Coalition

This framework assists companies in reporting both direct and indirect climate policy engagements aligning advocacy with science-based targets and the Paris Agreement. It provides a structured format for reporting to stakeholders—like investors, NGOs, and regulators—clarifying the company’s role in influencing climate policy and improving accountability. 

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ReportCenter for Political Accountability

The CPA-Zicklin Framework provides suggested key practices that companies can adopt to help manage the risks associated with election-related political spending.

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Spirograph

About the CPR Hub

The CPR Hub helps companies navigate a hyper-political world by strengthening their public affairs governance practices, featuring emerging best practices, practical tools, and compelling materials for discussing why, when and how CPR Governance might be adapted for a specific company. It is published by Third Side Strategies, a non-partisan action-oriented think tank and non-profit advisory firm.

Engage

We know CPR Governance is a journey, unique to each company. Here are a few next steps to consider.

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