VideoCorporate Political Responsibility Taskforce

CPR in Historical Context

Mark Mizruchi, University of Michigan Professor

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On August 5, 2021, we spoke with Mark Mizruchi, University of Michigan professor and author of The Fracturing of the American Corporate Elite to explore “Re-thinking Business’ Role in U.S. Polarization and How CPR Can Help Companies Respond”

Business leaders across the U.S. are increasingly alarmed at the destructive effects of political polarization, in their communities, in their interactions with state, local and federal government, and increasingly, among their employees. As these executives consider how to best respond, firms must wrestle with several critical questions:

  • How has business approached civic and political engagement differently over time, and what can companies learn from that today?
  • How might we define CPR (corporate political responsibility)? When should firms step in and when should they step back?
  • How can investing in the common good and practicing CPR help companies navigate the current minefield, especially around polarization?

In this module, we explore:

  • How has business approached civic and political engagement over time, and what can companies learn from that today?
  • Did business step out of the political arena?
  • How have business people historically thought about the common good and their role in it?

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.

Professor Mizruchi's research focuses on the economic and political behavior of large American corporations, among many other topics. His book, The Fracturing of the American Corporate Elite, (Harvard University Press, 2013), received the George R. Terry Book Award from the Academy of Management and the Distinguished Contribution to Scholarship Award from the Political Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association. Elizabeth Doty, Director of the CPRT, will moderate the conversation.

KEYWORDS: #CorporatePoliticalResponsibility #ESG #CivicEngagement #CivicInstitutions

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BookHarvard Business Review Press

Introduces the concept of “net positive advocacy,” which involves working with partners to advocate for policy that supports systemic solutions and net positive outcomes for all competitors. This requires courage and a shift in mindset, but actually helps de-risk both sustainable business strategies AND political interactions for companies. Their Readiness Test tool provides a useful conversation starter about the change in mindset required.  

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As companies face increased pressure to advocate publicly for robust climate policies, this WRI report outlines three internal and four external barriers, including org charts and quarterly reports as well as trade associations and political winds, that present the biggest hurdles to implementation, and suggests ways to overcome them.

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WebsiteWorld Benchmarking Alliance

This framework is developed through a multi-stakeholder process and designed to gauge company progress against the UN Sustainable Development Goals. It provides succinct definitions for various core social indicators (CSIs), as well as a rubric to gauge company performance regarding these indicators. CSI 18 is their standard for responsible lobbying and political engagement, drawing from the Transparency International principles.

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ArticleHarvard Business Review

This article introduces the concept of “net positive advocacy,” which involves working with partners to advocate for policy that supports systemic solutions and net positive outcomes for all competitors. This requires courage and a shift in mindset, but actually helps de-risk both sustainable business strategies AND political interactions for companies. Their Readiness Test tool provides a useful conversation starter about the change in mindset required. 

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This guide outlines nine clear pathways—like net-zero emissions, circular economy, and inclusive societies—across key sectors including energy, mobility, food, and manufacturing, providing businesses a strategic roadmap to embed sustainability in governance and operations for a thriving 2050 within planetary limits.

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In a major refresh of its Vision 2050, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development argues that the decade ahead is critical if we are to achieve “9+ billion people living well within planetary boundaries.” They highlight the need to shift political and economic incentives that push companies into short-term behaviors that undermine societal or environmental systems, and propose a new CPR-driven mindset where firms align all policy influence activities to purpose statements and sustainability goals, partner to generate new policy ideas and help ensure relevant stakeholders are at the table.

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ReportThe Conference Board

A robust overview of current legal landscape for corporate political activity. It highlights the reputational and other risks companies need to manage, and the need for oversight and transparency to govern political spending.

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