Trends, Signals & POV from BSR's Center for Business & Social Justice
Jennifer Stark
Somewhat “combative pacifist and cooperative anarchist.” I fight extremism by engaging the private sector.
BSR’s Center for Business and Social Justice is tracking on a few topics this week that signal changes and trends to watch. Hopefully some new reads here you may have missed. Let us know what you think in the comments.
1. The Right-Wing Crusade Against DEI Isn’t Actually Working: Campaigns against corporate DEI policies have had little impact on performance or stock $$ so far.
“Dropping DEI policies also creates an economic advantage for companies that retain their policies and want to promote from rivals," says HOA BRISCOE-TRAN, an assistant professor of finance at the University of Alberta.
TL;DR: Always consider the source of the blowback: Axios called out yesterday the role of bots in amplifying recent anti-DEI campaigns.
2. Abortion has financial consequences in a woman’s life — and in the economy: "The share of women aged 25 to 54 in the workforce has jumped from 51% in 1972 — the year before Roe v. Wade — to 78% today. ‘That is one of the biggest economic stories of the 20th century,’ says Caitlin Myers, an economist at Middlebury College.”
TL;DR: Abortion access is about economic stability and economic empowerment. By a margin of 2:1 workers want to be in states where it is legal and accessible (2024 data will be released in early Oct).
3. Can You Guess Which Brands Republicans and Democrats Love? Political affiliation is influencing brand loyalty, with Democrats favoring Tesla and Nike, while Republicans lean towards Cracker Barrel and Carhartt.
True or False? "Research shows that everything from your cereal to your sneakers can lean red or blue.”
Cute attempt to put brands in boxes, certainly consumers of some products have particular POV. However, I think Elon Musk’s willingness to serve Trump could create challenge for Tesla’s consumer base. Also Cracker Barrel in recent years began embracing LGBTQ inclusion.
4. Business Group Sues Texas Officials Over Law That Shields Oil Industry: The American Sustainable Business Council is suing Texas over its anti-ESG law, arguing it violates free speech by restricting business based on environmental policies.
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"The risks imposed by climate change and other so-called E.S.G. risks are fundamental material financial risks that asset managers ignore at their peril,” says Rob Skinner a partner at the law firm Ropes & Gray LLP.
TL;DR: Democracy Forward is punching back at efforts to limit the ability of companies to make decisions that are material to their operations.
5. Migrant farm worker deaths show cost of the 'American Dream': A new report sheds light on the deadly working conditions faced by migrant farm workers in the U.S., with North Carolina among the worst examples.
Chloe East, at University of Colorado Denver economics professor: "We know for a fact that foreign-born workers are taking these types of dangerous jobs that US-born workers don’t.”
TL;DR: Vulnerability communities need safeguarding in the U.S. from extreme heat. Companies need to support public policy and regulation at all levels.
Years of work goes into making businesses cases on many social justice issues and implementation by companies zigs and zags. Companies need to be prepared so they don't get spooked by bros looking to sow chaos, confusion and make them easy targets.
Working at the intersection of markets, impact, risk, and sustainability | Managing Director | Senior Counsel | Lecturer in Management
3moSuper helpful. Thanks for putting together.
Founder & Chief Network Weaver at The Horizons Project; bridging peacebuilding, social justice & democracy. Evangelist for Narrative Engagement Across Difference and Restorative Practices for Social Change.
3moSuper. Thanks for this round-up!