We'll tackle these questions in conversation with some of the most respected voices in the field of nonmarket strategy. Join us for a timely conversation on how firms are adapting to-and shaping-the politics of today's nonmarket environment!

• How do firms balance authenticity, stakeholder expectations, and reputational risk in polarized environments?
• When does polarization lead firms to stay silent-or take a stand?

Key questions we'll explore include:
• How does polarization affect firms' ability to build cross-partisan coalitions?
• Are some CSR or CPA activities more prone to ideological backlash than others?
• When and how might CSR initiatives serve as covert channels for political influence?

From strategic silence and stakeholder-driven activism to the covert use of philanthropy, this symposium brings together leading scholars to unpack the tensions, trade-offs, and opportunities of doing business in polarized times.

As political #polarization intensifies globally, firms are increasingly challenged to rethink their nonmarket strategies, including how they engage in corporate political activity (#CPA) and corporate social responsibility (#CSR).

Organizers:
• Zhao Li (New York University)
• Xuege (Cathy) Lu (University of Minnesota)
• Haram Seo (Arizona State University)

Panelists:
• Magali Delmas (UCLA)
• @reubenhurst.bsky.social (University of Maryland)
• Mary-Hunter McDonnell (University of Pennsylvania)
• Jordan Siegel (University of Michigan)

Sponsored by @aomstr.bsky.social‬, @aomsim.bsky.social‬, #IM, @aom-one.bsky.social‬, and @aompnp.bsky.social‬.

To participate in part 2️⃣, apply for the roundtables by submitting a short proposal (max 5 pages). Slots are limited to ~50 participants.

Pre-registration closes ***July 1***: umdsurvey.umd.edu/jfe/form/SV_...

Part 2️⃣ (advanced registration required): roundtable discussions for tailored feedback on your research, including our panelists and the following discussants: Nathan Barrymore, Jake Grandy, @maxkagan.bsky.social, Ivana Katic, Anna McKean, Leandro Nardi, and Niki West.

This is a two-part PDW that includes:
Part 1️⃣ (open to all): a panel on promising directions of future research, featuring Daniel Blake, Aline Gatignon, Shon Hiatt, Jin Hyung Kim, and Hong Luo.

There is some really interesting ethnographic work coming out of management on employee activism in Silicon Valley. Unfortunately the author hasn't posted her working papers publicly even though I've seen them at conferences.

On the other hand, it is certainly in his self-interest to exaggerate how disruptive employee activists are. I think this is also somewhat firm and issue dependent.

On the one hand, I kind of agree with this quote from Andreessen: "[Employee activists] became, like, 20 percent, maybe 30 percent. And then there’s this big middle of “go along, get along” people who generally also consider themselves Democrats."

Thanks for sharing, Charlotte! Would love to learn more about what you hear from your students and these meet ups.

10/n P.S. If you delve into this interview, you'll find Andreessen's take on Fortune 500 CEOs' receptivity to progressive activism in recent years entirely consistent with institutional isomorphism (h/t @nmalhotra.bsky.social).

9/n I wish Ross Douthat, the journalist behind this interview, had explored this further. What are your thoughts?

8/n This raises an unanswered question: Do Silicon Valley leaders no longer fear employee revolts, perhaps due to recent layoffs? Are the stakes of securing lobbying access or preventing political retribution simply too high? Or are there other factors at play?