Was intrigued by this article, “Corporate Activism is more than a Marketing Gimmick” by Cory Maks-Solomon, a professor of political science at George Washington University. I agree that when companies activate their voices to support sociopolitical issues in society, it is not solely a public relations or marketing play. There are less risky ways to market one’s reputation.

Maks-Solomon’s research found that when companies engage in social activism, it is intended to sway public policy outcomes, even more so than to attract future employees. Perhaps that is possible but I do think that above all, companies are mostly responding to employee demands or hoping to attract employee candidates by broadcasting their values and commitments to society. Employees mostly look inward when they mobilize. In research I was involved with, employees who became activists reported wanting to influence internal policies and actions: 54% said that was the case and it was the top-ranked reason. Employee activists are looking for change within. Very few, only 8%, were interested in impacting government policies and regulations. I will add, however, that perhaps this internal focus has changed in the past few months due to COVID-19 and the BLM movement. It would be interesting to know.