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This is interesting in that Lilly has a fairly standard statement of corporate values (lilly.com/impact/overview) and a fairly substantial ESG commitment (esg.lilly.com/). How do corporations in this situation respond to the civic degradation we're seeing? Thoughts... @adamwren/1555894094244741120Permalink On twitter.com
Mood +5 🙂
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Corporations are subject to the laws of the jurisdiction they're in of course, and occasionally they operate in places where laws regarding human rights, surveillance, speech, etc diverge substantially from their implicit values (think satellite colleges).Permalink On twitter.com
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But I think there's a sense that eventually, the commitments of an organization to its most essential values overcomes (word choice, whew) the transient practicality of operating in places incompatible with its essential existence and purpose.Permalink On twitter.com
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I think Lilly (wisely) would seek to avoid the choice, and let the market speak. It's fair to think that the workforce they require wouldn't be interested in living in a place where open scientific inquiry or dissent from government ideological orthodoxy was prohibited. So too...Permalink On twitter.com
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Over time, educated professionals (particularly in fields involving free inquiry) will think badly of states where groups not towing the line of government orthodoxy are punished by law, and where the bodies of some citizens are the presumptive property of the state.On twitter.com
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Despite the rise of a politically violent right-wing that's embraced the political tactics of the Bolsheviks and the culture war tactics of Mao, the market is going to do what it does. As for corporations, what should they do in the face of such rising dangers to basic values?Permalink On twitter.com
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Fundamentally, corporations are just entities that seek efficient profit. But they need certain things to operate. A medicine company needs open access to medication, free intellectual inquiry, an educated workforce, and basic human/civil rights for them.Permalink On twitter.com
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Without rendering partisan judgements or engaging in campaigning, corporations should simply follow their values where the lead, and let the market work. If your values suggest people aren't property of the state and that men and women are equal, best follow that where it leads.Permalink On twitter.com
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America's right-wing may have abandoned democracy, capitalism, and free enterprise in some misguided war on that which is outside the reach of any state. But the market doesn't need them to operate. Capital and quality employees will go where freedom and wealth are plentiful.Permalink On twitter.com