Science, Technology, and Society at Temple University is a diverse network of faculty and students interested in the social, historical, and philosophical dimensions of science, technology, and medicine.
Newcomers are always welcome to our monthly meetings.
Next:
Monday, October 10, 12-1pm
Charles library First Floor Event Space or https://temple.zoom.us/j/92510796770
STS NOW! – Conversations in Science, Technology, Society
Todd Schifeling (Fox)
Divest, Delay, or Distract: Managing Conflicting Stakeholders amid Industry Disruption
While managers prefer to integrate the interests of multiple stakeholders, these groups often have conflicting goals. Industry disruptions intensify these conflicts, with some stakeholders favoring the status quo and others encouraging change. We investigate how managers balance conflicting stakeholders under such duress. Using the context of the U.S. electricity industry from 2008-2015, we find that inertial and activist stakeholders influence the divestment of coal generators in opposite directions. Further, by disentangling divestment announcements from implementation and considering the additional outcome of solar investments, we show how managers use strategic delay and distraction to mollify activists, while also benefitting inertial stakeholders.