Conference Agenda
Overview and details of the sessions of this conference. Please select a date or location to show only sessions at that day or location. Please select a single session for detailed view (with abstracts and downloads if available).
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4:Sketches: Research Sketches 4
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The Role of Business in Solving Grand Challenges: Evidence from Corporate Climate Lobbying To fill knowledge gaps on alignment versus decoupling between public actions and private lobbying behavior, we provide some of the first evidence on of this phenomenon in the context of corporate lobbying positions on climate policy, using voluntarily-disclosed lobbying positions of over 3,000 corporations on climate policies in 125 countries during 2010-2023. We examine which firms are more likely to disclose their lobbying activity; to engage in a greater amount of lobbying activity; to support climate policy; and the relationship between CSR and support for climate policy. We find that larger emitters, firms with more decarbonization initiatives, and firms located in countries with greater disclosure pressure are more likely to disclose. We find a U-shaped relationship between emissions and lobbying frequency, and a monotonic relationship between emissions and number of lobbying mechanisms used. Firms are more likely to support climate policy if they have lower GHG emissions and implement more decarbonization efforts, suggesting that decoupling is not the norm. Firms in extractive industries such as mining, oil and electric utilities are the most engaged in opposing climate policy. We find significant variation in corporate support for climate policy depending upon the nature of particular policy types. Releasing Supply Chain Regeneration Through Indigenous Polyrhythmic Governance This research investigates how indigenous knowledge, and practices offer crucial insights into reshaping supply chains and advancing toward a sustainable, post-growth era. In framing the existing literature on supply chains and indigenous knowledge around the Brazil nut production system, we aim to explore the following questions: How can supply chains be reimagined to support sustainable practices and equitable governance in a post-growth era? How do indigenous knowledge systems shape regenerative supply chain models for a post-growth future? By adopting an ethnographic approach methodology, the study draws on immersive fieldwork in the Amazon rainforest, including interviews, participatory workshops, and documentary analysis, to examine three layers of "encapsulation": the forest relationship, cooperative structure, and market contracts. These layers reveal the interplay between governance systems, indigenous ways of organising, and external market dynamics applied to the Brazil nut supply chain. The Paiter Suruí cooperative exemplifies a governance model that balances ecological preservation with market participation. The study contributes to supply chain literature by introducing the concept of "polyrhythmic governance," emphasising the integration of diverse knowledge systems. It underscores the need for equitable frameworks that respect indigenous agency, offering pathways for sustainable and inclusive economic practices in a post-growth era. Unfolding responses to stakeholder demands and the role of organizational implementation capacities: Evidence from firms’ consumer safety policies Research on organizational responses to stakeholder pressure often assumes organizations choose either symbolic or substantive responses. This study challenges this either-or perspective by exploring the sequential nature of responses. Organizations may first adopt visible policies to acknowledge stakeholder issues and later implement them, suggesting responses can unfold in phases over time. Sequential responses—and the time between adoption and implementation—stem from challenges organizations face when implementing policies. Drawing on the literature on policy implementation and the resource-based view of the firm, we develop a theoretical framework around the capabilities and constraints influencing the timely implementation of adopted policies. Using 13 years of data on U.S. firms’ responses to stakeholder pressure around consumer health and safety, we find that structural implementation capacities increase the likelihood of timely policy implementation, while attentional constraints reduce it. Our findings extend research on decoupling and organizational responsiveness by reconsidering what are often labeled as symbolic responses. We highlight the phased nature of responses and introduce new mechanisms driving substantive organizational action. This work provides a nuanced perspective on organizational behavior, emphasizing the importance of implementation challenges and capacities in bridging the gap between policy adoption and meaningful action. How do Firms Respond to Climate Risks? Do firms take more action to mitigate their impact on climate change when facing heightened climate risks? This study examines the relationship between climate risks—encompassing both physical and transition risks—and corporate climate change mitigation strategies. Using data on forecasted climate risks, climate targets, and greenhouse gas emissions of U.S. public companies, we find that firms exposed to greater physical and transition climate risks are less likely make substantial mitigation efforts. We further explore the underlying mechanisms. Firms exposed to greater physical climate risks are more inclined to pursue adaptation strategies, which may divert resources away from mitigation. Meanwhile, firms facing higher transition climate risks are more likely to adopt anti-climate political strategies rather than make mitigation efforts. These firms also show a greater tendency toward low-carbon innovation. | ||

