Countering activism from CSR beneficiaries: a typology of strategic responses for firms

Amit Mahimkar () and Edward Ramirez ()
Additional contact information
Amit Mahimkar: The University of Texas at El Paso
Edward Ramirez: The University of Texas at El Paso

International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing, 2025, vol. 22, issue 1, No 7, 167-190

Abstract: Abstract In the context of targeted activism, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives serve as both an asset and a liability for firms. While these initiatives can bolster firms’ reputations as socially responsible entities, deterring activism, they may also attract activism from the very groups they aim to support. Extant research lacks guidance on how CSR firms can respond to such challenges, highlighting the need for further investigation. Drawing on Construal Level and Socio-cognitive theories, this paper proposes strategic responses for CSR firms based on Hirschman’s Exit, Voice, and Loyalty (EVL) framework. Using a qualitative case study approach, it analyzes firms’ strategic responses—Exit, Voice, Loyalty, and Boycott—demonstrating how varied approaches, influenced by construal levels, CSR strategies, and contextual factors, safeguard brand integrity. Furthermore, this study enhances the EVL framework by introducing Boycott as a new response option, broadening its applicability to individuals, groups, and firms. It concludes by offering essential recommendations to help firms prevent future activism and establish a successful, long-term CSR strategy.

Keywords: Exit; voice; and loyalty framework; CSR; Activism; Typology; Retaliation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s12208-024-00422-9 Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:irpnmk:v:22:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s12208-024-00422-9

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/business/journal/12208

DOI: 10.1007/s12208-024-00422-9

Access Statistics for this article

International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing is currently edited by Helena Maria Alves

More articles in International Review on Public and Nonprofit Marketing from Springer, International Association of Public and Non-Profit Marketing
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().