Presentation of the study "The political CEO – Rationals behind CEO sociopolitical activism"

United Europe e.V. and ESMT Berlin worked together on a scientific study to investigate why and how CEOs and managing directors of European companies are increasingly taking a public stance on political and social issues that are not directly related to their core business. Examples include climate change, immigration policy and the minimum wage. This phenomenon has been noticed in recent years, particularly in the USA. However, case studies from Australia, Asia and Europe confirm that CEOs worldwide are increasingly taking a stance regarding these issues.

On 26 October, 2020, the results of the study will be presented by Christoph Cewe, ESMT Berlin MSc graduate, which as the first of its kind investigates European CEO’s rationales behind socio and political stance taking. The presentation will be followed by a panel discussion. Speakers include Leonhard Birnbaum, Member of the Executive Board E.ON SE, Günther H. Oettinger, former EU Commissioner and President of United Europe, and Joerg Rocholl, President of ESMT. The discussion will be moderated by Ulrike Guérot, Professor for European politics and democracy research at the Danube University Krems.

The discussion takes place at the ESMT Berlin and will be broadcast live via Zoom with simultaneous English translation.