Studies | United Europe

New study by United Europe and ESMT Berlin shows political commitment increasingly important for CEOs and managing directors

Katharina Kaemmerer — Thu, 29 Oct 2020 07:55:03 +0000

Political and social engagement is a relevant topic for European business leaders. CEOs are increasingly making public statements on political issues in order to make a positive contribution to socially relevant topics.

These are the findings of the recent study The Political CEO conducted by ESMT Master’s in Management graduate Christoph Cewe in cooperation with ESMT Berlin. The study surveyed 40 leaders of large European companies. Of those surveyed, 77.5 per cent believe that managing directors should take a stand on political issues, and 62.5 per cent state that they are also (very) likely to express themselves in sociopolitical terms. The most frequently reported motives for taking a public stance are to contribute to society (78 %) and to express corporate values (72 %).

The study entitled “The political CEO: Rationales behind CEO sociopolitical activism” explores the question of how and why CEOs and managing directors of European companies increasingly take a public stance on political and social issues that have no direct connection to their core business. Examples are climate change, immigration policy and the unconditional basic income.

“The results of the study show that managing directors express themselves publicly, primarily on political issues, so that they can use their influence to make a positive contribution on socially relevant topics. Personal motives and potential advantages for shareholders do not play a greater role,” says Christoph Cewe. “European CEOs want to add value to the substantive discourse with their public statement, but do not want to take a party-political stance. Thus, ecological, economic and social issues are identified as the most suitable topics for public comment. Less than one in ten of the CEOs surveyed stated that it is appropriate to take a party political stance in public.

Leonhard Birnbaum, member of the board of management of E.ON SE, Günther H. Oettinger, former EU commissioner and president of United Europe e.V., and Jörg Rocholl, president of ESMT, engaged in an intensive exchange.

“At United Europe we support business leaders who are committed to the European idea. For many European CEOs, political commitment is a relevant topic, but CEOs do not bear political responsibility. They must be able to maintain a balance between business competence, public credibility, and an understandable interest in social processes,” stated Günther H. Oettinger.

Jörg Rocholl added, “Authenticity and competence are the most important prerequisites for a public statement by managing directors. Lack of credibility can have immediate negative consequences, not only for the CEO personally, but for the entire company.”

The discussion was moderated by Ulrike Guérot, professor for European politics and democracy research at the Danube University Krems.

Please find here the video recording of the presentation.

The post New study by United Europe and ESMT Berlin shows political commitment increasingly important for CEOs and managing directors first appeared on United Europe.

Roland Berger Study Infrastructure Press Review

Dorian Simon — Thu, 16 Apr 2015 14:37:40 +0000

Our press release can be found at: https://www.united-europe.eu/news-and-topics/press-release-roland-berger-study/

The study can be downloaded at: united-europe Roland Berger study

Other press reviews:

Roland Berger Strategy Consultants, founded in 1967, is the only leading global consultancy of German heritage and European origin. With 2,400 employees working from 36 countries, we have successful operations in all major international markets. Our 50 offices are located in the key global business hubs. The consultancy is an independent partnership owned exclusively by 220 Partners.

United Europe is a non-profit association dedicated to the idea of a strong and competitive Europe which can defend its common interests, yet respects the diversity of its peoples. It was founded in 2013 by the former Austrian chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel and the German entrepreneur Jürgen Grossmann. United Europe organises speeches, conferences, research projects and seminars for young professionals. For more information, please go to: www.united-europe.eu

Bettina Vestring
Tel.: +49 160 973 50 679
Email: bettina.vestring@united-europe.eu

The post Roland Berger Study Infrastructure Press Review first appeared on United Europe.

Ukraine Study Press Review

Dorian Simon — Wed, 15 Apr 2015 11:42:18 +0000

Our press release can be found at: Press Release: How to Stabilise and Reform Ukraine’s Economy

The study can be downloaded at: Ukraine study

Other press reviews:

The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies (wiiw) is one of the principle centres for research on Central, East and Southeast Europe. Over the years, it has broadened its regional coverage to European integration, the countries of Wider Europe and selected issues of the global economy. wiiw is an independent, non-profit institution. Its staff serves the public and clients alike, delivering economic analyses and research, forecasts, statistical data and policy advice.

Bettina Vestring
Tel.: +49 160 973 50 679
Email: bettina.vestring@united-europe.eu

The post Ukraine Study Press Review first appeared on United Europe.

Research report “Privatisation Potential in the European Union”

Dorian Simon — Mon, 13 Oct 2014 15:00:35 +0000

Focusing public policies on debt reduction is of essential importance to the European Union and its member states. Can privatisation help solve Europe’s debt crisis?

United Europe and the Bertelsmann Stiftung are jointly presenting a study drawn up by the Economica Institute in Vienna which details the revenue potential of privatisation in the European Union.

Download UnitedEurope Privatisation_Potential Economica Report

Download UnitedEurope Privatisation Potential Economica presentation

Read report: Make Privatisation Part of the European Growth Agenda

The study finds that privatisation proceeds could amount to more than half a trillion Euros. This figure is based on a detailed analysis of the largest ten Eurozone countries according to GDP as well as four non-Eurozone countries (the United Kingdom, Poland, the Czech Republic and Romania), altogether covering about 90% of all potential privatisation proceeds in the EU.

In contemplation of this sum, the question arises: to which use should these resources be put?

In the short term, revenues from privatisation could, of course, help reduce public debt. Some of the money could also be used to fight youth unemployment in countries like Spain or Greece. Yet from an economic point of view, it is the long-term positive effects of private ownership on competitiveness, innovation and growth that are most important. They constitute the key argument in favour of privatisation.

Public scepticism towards privatisation remains, but such a policy does in fact offer governments a tremendous opportunity to encourage investment and revive labor-markets.

Wolfgang Schüssel; Fabrizio Saccomanni; Sylvie Goulard; Leonhard Birnbaum; Christian Helmenstein

United Europe, a pro-European organization founded in 2013, and the Bertelsmann Stiftung presented Economica’s research report “Privatisation Potential in the European Union” followed by a high level panel discussion:

Keynote:
Dr. Christian Helmenstein, Board Member of Economica Institute

Moderation:
Dr. Wolfgang Schüssel, President of United Europe

Panel:
Sylvie Goulard, Member of the European Parliament
Dr. Leonhard Birnbaum, Member of the Executive Board of E.ON AG
Fabrizio Saccomanni, Former Minister of Economy and Finances, Italy

The event took place on 13 October 2014 at the Representation of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia to the EU, Rue Montoyer 47, 1000 Brussels.

The post Research report “Privatisation Potential in the European Union” first appeared on United Europe.