Democracy and Responsibility: Kapteina Presents at the S&O Research Day at HEC Paris

On May 15 and 16, 2025, the 10th Sustainability & Organizations (S&O) Research Day took place at HEC Paris, one of Europe’s most prestigious business schools. The anniversary event brought together international scholars working on some of the most pressing issues in sustainability, organizational research, and societal transformation. Dr. Benedikt Kapteina, a postdoctoral researcher at the Chair of Business Management, especially Responsible Management, at the IHI Zittau of TU Dresden, presented his research on corporate political responsibility, which was met with great interest.

How Companies Stand Up for Democracy – And Why This Is Not Self-Evident

Kapteina's contribution, "Why Some German Companies Resist Right-Wing Populism," was developed in collaboration with Prof. Rolf Brühl (ESCP Business School Berlin), Prof. Markus Scholz (IHI Zittau / TU Dresden), and Prof. Georg Wernicke (HEC Paris). The central question explores why some companies in Eastern Germany actively take a stand against right-wing populist tendencies and the erosion of democratic values, while others remain silent or adapt.

The study examines political engagements such as statements, collaborations, political donations, and participation in debates on diversity. It shows that these decisions stem from tensions between economic risks, societal responsibility, regulatory uncertainties, and personal convictions. The project makes a conceptual contribution to the further development of Political CSR, shedding light on companies as democratic actors that can either contribute to the resilience of open societies or choose to refrain from doing so.

New Impulses from Keynotes and an International Summit

The keynotes by Jonathan Bundy (Arizona State University) and Giada Di Stefano (Bocconi University) set new directions for the discussion. Bundy spoke about the role of stakeholder dialogues following corporate scandals – a topic closely related to Kapteina's research.

An Inspirational Experience for International Research

"In Paris, it became clear: the question of how companies contribute to democracy, societal polarization, or sustainability is now driving top-tier international research. It was inspiring to see the potential for new alliances, bold research, and societal impact within this community."
– Dr. Benedikt Kapteina

Thanks to the Organizers

"I would like to sincerely thank the organizers of the 10th S&O Research Day. Their excellent work and flawless event organization created a productive and inspiring atmosphere that fostered exchange at the highest scientific level. It was a pleasure to be part of this exceptional summit."

Dr. Kapteina’s participation in the S&O Research Day marks another milestone for the strategic positioning of the professorship at IHI Zittau in the international research field of business and democracy. The insights generated there will directly contribute to publications, the further development of various teaching formats, and collaborative projects.

Participation was supported through funding from the Academia Mentoring Program of the Postdoc Center HZDR at the Graduate Academy of TU Dresden. The program empowers postdoctoral researchers to navigate their academic careers by fostering critical reflection, offering tailored feedback and training, and facilitating meaningful professional networks.