A Dynamic Process Model of Private Politics: Activist Targeting and Corporate Receptivity to Social Challenges

Mary-Hunter McDonnell, Brayden King and Sarah A. Soule
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Mary-Hunter McDonnell: Georgetown University
Brayden King: Northwestern University
Sarah A. Soule: Stanford University

Research Papers from Stanford University, Graduate School of Business

Abstract: This project explores whether and how corporations become more receptive to social activist challenges over time. Drawing from social movement theory, we suggest a dynamic process through which contentious interactions lead to increased receptivity. We argue that when firms are chronically targeted by social activists, they respond defensively by adopting strategic management devices that help them better manage social issues and demonstrate their normative appropriateness. These defensive devices have the incidental effect of empowering independent monitors and increasing corporate accountability, which in turn increases a firm's receptivity to future activist challenges. We test our theory using a unique longitudinal dataset that tracks contentious attacks and the adoption of social management devices among a population of 300 large firms from 1993-2009.

Date: 2015
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-pol
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