17513: Sustainability Under Siege: Governance Challenges in an Era of Policy Uncertainty and Polarization

Sunday, July 27, 2025

10:15 - 11:45 CEST (GMT+2)

Location: Bella Center: Hall C- C1-m5

Session Type: Symposium (panel)
Orientation: Teaching,Practice,International,Research
Shareable link: https://cdmcd.co/nR6zx5

Organizer(s)

MS

Michael Schnitzlein

University of Augsburg, Germany
PS

Priyal Singh

Imperial College London, United Kingdom

Panelist(s)

FB

Flore Bridoux

Erasmus U., Netherlands
II

Ioannis Ioannou

London Business School, United Kingdom
JR

Juliane Reinecke

Oxford U., Saïd Business School, United Kingdom
MZ

Maurizio Zollo

Imperial College Business School, United Kingdom

The world in 2025 is marked by unprecedented geopolitical and societal fragmentation, with escalating global conflicts, deepening political polarization, and eroding trust in institutions. These dynamics pose profound challenges for corporate sustainability as businesses navigate the tension between environmental and social responsibility and the fraying fabric of international cooperation. This symposium explores how firms balance short-term resilience with long-term commitments to sustainability amidst rising populism, regulatory volatility, and conflicting stakeholder demands. It examines the interplay between institutional dynamics, organizational behavior, and societal trends, highlighting the risks of symbolic compliance and corporate hypocrisy in polarized environments. Collaboration emerges as a critical strategy for fostering innovation, resource sharing, and bridging ideological divides, while alignment between corporate values, employee beliefs, and societal norms is essential for maintaining legitimacy. By addressing themes of environmental stewardship, societal advocacy, and stakeholder management, this discussion provides actionable insights for researchers and practitioners in Strategic Management, Organization Theory, and Social Issues in Management.