Craig Smith & Markus Scholz Publish in the Financial Times

Our Chairholder Prof. Dr. Markus Scholz, together with N. Craig Smith (INSEAD), has published an article in the Financial Times on how German technology group Jenoptik has chosen to publicly defend democratic values.

The article looks at why Jenoptik launched the #BleibOffen (#StayOpen) campaign in 2023, what actions were taken, and how this raises broader questions about the risks and opportunities of corporate engagement for democracy. While the initiative was widely praised and even boosted Jenoptik’s share price, it also drew criticism, including warnings from AfD leader Björn Höcke.

Despite such pushback, Jenoptik CEO Stefan Traeger has continued to argue that openness and international diversity are essential for innovation and competitiveness. The initiative has also encouraged other major German companies such as Deutsche Bank, Mercedes-Benz and Siemens to take a clear stance against extremism.

This case illustrates the difficult balance companies face when deciding whether and how to speak up for democratic values.

Link to the Financial Times Article