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Rotman Insights Hub | University of Toronto - Rotman School of Management

Mind the gap: Should businesses weigh in on divisive topics?

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Rhia Catapano

From social and gender equality, to bodily autonomy, to environmental impact, the days of brands staying silent on hot-button issues are over. 

When it comes to polarizing topics, consumers are increasingly demanding that companies take a stand on issues that matter to them, and will often view silence as implicit agreement with the other side, says assistant professor Rhia Catapano. 

So how can organizations weigh in on these issues more effectively? And when should brands actually be concerned over boycotts? Catapano explores this and more on the latest episode of the Executive Summary podcast. 

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Prefer to read than listen? Check out the transcript of this episode here

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Rhia Catapano is an assistant professor of marketing at the Rotman School of Management.