Harvard Case - Deciding When to Engage on Societal Issues
"Deciding When to Engage on Societal Issues" Harvard business case study is written by Hubert Joly, Amram Migdal. It deals with the challenges in the field of Organizational Behavior. The case study is 15 page(s) long and it was first published on : Sep 12, 2022
At Fern Fort University, we recommend a strategic approach to engaging on societal issues, balancing the university's core values of academic freedom and inclusivity with the need to maintain a positive public image and attract diverse talent. This approach involves a multi-faceted strategy that includes:
- Developing a comprehensive policy framework: This framework should clearly define the university's stance on various societal issues, outlining the principles that guide its engagement and the process for decision-making.
- Building a strong internal communication strategy: This strategy should ensure open and transparent communication with faculty, staff, and students on the university's approach to societal issues, fostering understanding and buy-in.
- Investing in leadership development: This will equip leaders across the university with the skills and knowledge to navigate complex societal issues, fostering a culture of responsible engagement.
- Engaging in proactive dialogue and partnerships: The university should actively seek opportunities to engage in constructive dialogue with stakeholders, including community leaders, alumni, and industry partners, on issues of shared concern.
2. Background
The case study focuses on Fern Fort University, a private institution facing pressure to engage on societal issues. The university's leadership is divided on the best course of action, with some advocating for a more active role in addressing societal challenges while others prioritize maintaining neutrality and focusing on academic excellence. The case highlights the tension between the university's commitment to academic freedom and the need to maintain a positive public image and attract diverse talent.
The main protagonists are:
- President Thomas: He believes the university should take a stand on societal issues, arguing that it is essential for attracting diverse talent and maintaining a positive public image.
- Professor Margaret: She represents the faculty perspective, emphasizing the importance of academic freedom and the potential for controversy when taking a stance on sensitive issues.
- Student activist group: This group advocates for the university to take a more active role in addressing social injustices, raising concerns about the university's perceived silence on critical issues.
3. Analysis of the Case Study
This case study can be analyzed through the lens of Organizational Culture, Leadership Styles, and Change Management.
Organizational Culture: Fern Fort University's culture appears to be characterized by a strong emphasis on academic freedom, potentially leading to a reluctance to engage in public discourse on sensitive societal issues. This culture may also be influenced by the university's historical context and the perspectives of its founding members.
Leadership Styles: The case highlights a clash between different leadership styles. President Thomas embodies a transformational leadership style, seeking to inspire and motivate the university community to engage in meaningful change. Professor Margaret represents a more transactional leadership style, prioritizing the established norms and procedures within the university.
Change Management: The university is facing a significant challenge in managing the change required to adapt to the evolving expectations of stakeholders regarding its engagement on societal issues. This change process requires careful consideration of the potential for resistance from faculty and staff, as well as the need to build consensus among diverse perspectives.
4. Recommendations
To navigate this complex situation, Fern Fort University should implement the following recommendations:
1. Develop a Comprehensive Policy Framework:
- Establish a clear set of principles: This framework should outline the university's values and guiding principles for engaging on societal issues, including academic freedom, inclusivity, and social responsibility.
- Define a decision-making process: This process should involve stakeholders from across the university, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni, ensuring transparency and accountability in decision-making.
- Develop guidelines for addressing controversial issues: These guidelines should provide clear parameters for navigating sensitive topics, ensuring respectful and productive dialogue.
2. Build a Strong Internal Communication Strategy:
- Foster open and transparent communication: The university should proactively communicate its approach to societal issues to all stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding and addressing potential concerns.
- Establish channels for feedback and dialogue: This will create opportunities for open and constructive dialogue, fostering a culture of shared understanding and mutual respect.
- Utilize various communication channels: The university should leverage a variety of communication channels, including online platforms, town hall meetings, and targeted outreach, to reach all members of the university community.
3. Invest in Leadership Development:
- Provide training on navigating societal issues: This training should equip leaders across the university with the skills and knowledge to engage in constructive dialogue, manage conflict, and build consensus on complex societal issues.
- Foster a culture of responsible engagement: This requires promoting a culture of ethical leadership, where leaders are empowered to make informed decisions and take responsible actions.
- Develop a leadership pipeline: This will ensure a steady flow of leaders who are equipped to navigate the challenges of engaging on societal issues.
4. Engage in Proactive Dialogue and Partnerships:
- Seek opportunities for constructive dialogue: The university should actively engage in dialogue with stakeholders, including community leaders, alumni, and industry partners, on issues of shared concern.
- Build partnerships with organizations working on societal issues: This will allow the university to leverage external expertise and resources to address societal challenges.
- Promote collaboration and research on societal issues: This will foster a culture of inquiry and innovation, engaging faculty and students in addressing critical issues.
5. Basis of Recommendations
These recommendations are based on the following considerations:
- Core competencies and consistency with mission: The recommendations align with the university's mission of academic excellence and its commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
- External customers and internal clients: The recommendations address the concerns of various stakeholders, including students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the broader community.
- Competitors: The recommendations consider the evolving landscape of higher education, where engagement on societal issues is increasingly expected by students, faculty, and potential donors.
- Attractiveness: The recommendations aim to enhance the university's attractiveness to diverse talent, including students, faculty, and staff, who are seeking institutions committed to social responsibility.
6. Conclusion
By adopting a strategic approach to engaging on societal issues, Fern Fort University can balance its commitment to academic freedom with the need to maintain a positive public image and attract diverse talent. This approach requires a clear policy framework, effective communication, strong leadership, and proactive engagement with stakeholders.
7. Discussion
Other Alternatives:
- Maintaining complete neutrality: This approach could alienate potential students and faculty who are seeking institutions that are actively engaged in addressing societal issues.
- Taking a highly activist stance: This approach could lead to controversy and potentially alienate some stakeholders, including alumni and donors.
Risks:
- Resistance from faculty and staff: Some faculty and staff may resist the university's engagement on societal issues, citing concerns about academic freedom and the potential for controversy.
- Public backlash: The university's stance on certain issues could lead to public backlash from individuals or groups who hold opposing views.
Key Assumptions:
- The university is committed to its core values of academic freedom and inclusivity.
- The university is willing to invest in leadership development and communication strategies.
- The university is committed to engaging in constructive dialogue with stakeholders.
8. Next Steps
- Form a task force to develop a comprehensive policy framework.
- Conduct a university-wide survey to gather feedback on the university's approach to societal issues.
- Develop a communication plan to inform stakeholders about the university's new policy framework.
- Provide leadership training on navigating societal issues.
- Establish a dedicated website or online platform for sharing information about the university's engagement on societal issues.
By taking these steps, Fern Fort University can navigate the complex landscape of societal engagement and emerge as a leader in higher education, committed to both academic excellence and social responsibility.
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Case Description
This case provides brief descriptions of 18 examples of corporate leaders confronting questions of whether and how to engage with societal issues, including social, political, and environmental issues. Social issues include COVID-19; social and racial justice; discrimination and prejudice; gender, sex, and sexual orientation; and humanitarian crises. Political issues included voting rights, abortion rights, and geopolitical conflict and rivalry. Environmental issues included climate change. The examples took place between 2014 and 2022. The examples are: 1. Delta Airlines/Ed Bastian: Vaccine Mandates (2021) 2. Racial Justice: Starbucks/Howard Schultz: Race Together (2015) 3. Merck/Ken Frazier: Charlottesville, President Trump, and Race (2017) 4. Starbucks/Kevin Johnson: Philadelphia Incident (2018) 5. OneTen Initiative: Living Wage Jobs for Black Americans (2020) 6. Tech Leaders: Oppose the Trump Travel Ban (2017) 7. Delta Airlines/Ed Bastian: Rescinding NRA Discounts after the Parkland Shooting (2018) 8. Corporate Leaders: Responding to Anti-Asian Hate (2021) 9. Salesforce.com/Marc Benioff: Indiana Boycott for Religious Freedom Restoration Act (2015) 10. Target/Brian Cornell: North Carolina Bathroom Bill (2016) 11. Disney/Bob Chapek: The Florida Don't Say Gay Bill (2022) 12. H&M/Helena Helmersson: China, Uighurs, and Human Rights (2020) 13. Corporate Leaders: Voting Rights and Election Bills (2021) 14. Corporate Leaders: Texas Abortion Ban (2021) 15. Unilever/Alan Jope: Ben & Jerry's, Israel, and Occupied Palestinian Territory (2021) 16. Google: Ceasing Search in China (2018) 17. Apple/Tim Cook: Data Privacy in China (2021) 18. Amazon/Jeff Bezos: Co-Founding Climate Pledge (2019)
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