The Rise of the Modern Business Corporation 150 years ago, corporations were insignificant. Today, they are dominant and pervasive institutions impacting our lives.
Scandals Trigger Public Debate Recent scandals have sparked a debate about public control over big corporations. The media focuses on bad acts within the corporate world.
The Paradox of Corporations 'The corporation' is presented as a paradox - an institution that creates wealth but also causes hidden harms to society and individuals.
Corporate Power and Influence 'Corporation' is compared to powerful entities like the church or monarchy. It's described as transformative yet controversial in its impact on people's lives.
Legal Evolution of Corporations 'Corporation' evolved from narrow legal mandates with clear stipulations into powerful entities with significant influence over society.
Corporate Personhood 'Corporation' was granted legal rights similar to those of persons, leading to concerns about their moral conscience and loyalty.
Corporate Sponsorship The idea of being corporately sponsored was inspired by seeing Tiger Woods wearing a Nike hat and realizing the potential for earning money through sponsorships. They announced First USA as their corporate sponsor, aiming to give them media exposure in exchange for financial support.
Perception Management Corporations use perception management to shape public opinion and create an image that aligns with their interests. This involves advertising a way of life rather than just products, influencing how people think about themselves and society.
Image-Conscious Corporations Large corporations prioritize maintaining a positive image in the media and seek partnerships that enhance their reputation. They aim to be seen as friendly entities working towards mutual benefit rather than solely driven by profit.
Branding Strategy 'Branding' is more than just advertising; it's about creating an identity or lifestyle associated with the company's products or services. Companies like Disney extend branding into physical spaces such as towns built around brand values like family magic.
Commercialization of Relationships There is concern over commercial relationships becoming dominant, where virtually every interaction between individuals is influenced by commercial interests.