VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

What Managers and Companies Can Do

Karthik Ramanna of the University of Oxford

Video 3 of 3

 

On November 11, 2021, we spoke with Karthik Ramanna of the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford to explore “Corporate Political Responsibility in ‘Thin’ Political Markets.”

Although there may be risks when businesses take responsibility for social issues, individual managers may still want to participate in activism. How can managers engage in the public sphere responsibly and effectively?

In this module, we explore:

  • What role can exist for individual managers, in both their roles as citizens and within their firms?

The Corporate Political Responsibility Taskforce (CPRT)’s Expert Dialogues are in-depth, recorded conversations with academic experts, stakeholder advocates and business practitioners to provide our members and other CPR champions with the expertise and context they need to develop principled, proactive CPR strategies. We invite those interested in a constructive, non-partisan, principles-based discussion.

Karthik Ramanna is a Professor of Business and Public Policy and Director of the Master of Public Policy at the Blavatnik School of Government at the University of Oxford. In his 2015 paper with Rebecca Henderson, "Do Managers Have a Role to Play in Sustaining the Institutions of Capitalism?", Professor Ramanna argues that managers must define CPR differently in “thin” political markets. That is, where the public is not fully informed or adequately represented in decision-making, responsible corporate political influence must shift from narrow business interests to concern for the system overall

The full transcript for this module is available here. 

KEYWORDS: #CorporatePoliticalResponsibility #ESG #CivicEngagement #ClimatePolicy #LongTermValue

 

More Resources

Sort by type
181 – 200 of 285 results showing

Joe Zammit‑Lucia argues that in today’s world, politics and business are deeply connected, and companies need strong “political antennae”—a keen understanding of societal values, regulations, and consumer expectations—to succeed. Drawing on global case studies, he shows how pressures from stakeholders, investors, and regulators require firms to embed political awareness into their purpose, strategy, and daily operations to build trust and resilience.

View Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
ReportFCLT/McKinsey

This report recognizes that the stakeholder environment has shifted for many companies to encompass a broader range of stakeholders, and provides thoughts on how companies can take a truly long-term view of stakeholder interests.

View Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
ReportPolicyLink

This report goes beyond diversity and inclusion to outline how a business's actions, products and services, have influence within the company, within the community, and more broadly in society. The report provides concrete recommendations for companies.

View Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
ReportPrinciples for Responsible Investment, The Generation Foundation & UNEP Finance Initiative

This report examines current legal frameworks for institutional investors in 11 countries, including the EU, UK, US, Canada, Japan, and Australia and how they link financial returns with sustainability. It finds that in many cases, investors are legally required to consider sustainability if it aligns with financial goals. The report also recommends policy changes to clarify fiduciary duties and make it easier for investors to prioritize sustainability by fostering clearer guidelines and collaboration 

View Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
BookGreenleaf Books

With his background as a former business executive leading companies such as e-Scholastic, the Proactiv Company and Guthy-Renker, Seth Radwell provides both historical context for the political division in the U.S., and a detailed plan on steps we can take to depolarize society. 

View Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce
Video Details
ArticleOxford Review of Economic Policy

This paper reviews how globalization, technology, and financialization have served to decouple business prosperity from social prosperity.  The paper also explores how there can be a "recoupling" of business and social prosperity and move from shareholder maximization to a broader view of stakeholder interests.

View Details
Share.

Do you have a resource to recommend for The CPR Hub? Please reach out and we will review it for future updates!

Receive Updates from The CPR Hub

Learn about new tools, insights and events to help you consider how CPR can help your company, clients or members.

Stay in the loop.