When Should Companies Weigh in on Contentious Issues?
In a\xa0globally connected and\xa0highly politicized world, organizations\xa0are\xa0increasingly\xa0expected to comment on\xa0social,\xa0political, and environmental\xa0issues. But taking a stance doesn't always make business sense\xa0and can backfire\xa0when employees or consumers see a disconnect between leaders\u2019 words and actions.\xa0Alison Taylor, associate professor at New York University, says there's a better\xa0way to\xa0make decisions on corporate speech, which includes involving workers in the process. Taylor is the author of the HBR book Higher Ground: How Business Can Do the Right Thing in a Turbulent World and the HBR article \u201cCorporate Advocacy in a Time of Social Outrage.\u201d