Sustainability in the Boardroom
by Lynn S. Paine
A BOARD MEMBER WAS EXCHANGING a few words with the CEO of a fast-growing athletic apparel maker before the annual shareholders’ meeting when the two caught sight of a group of labor activists at the back of the hall. The group was known for protesting labor conditions in the Asian contract factories where the company’s products were made. The CEO turned to the director and, without prior warning, said that he planned to ask her to take charge of the meeting if any disruption occurred. When the activists marched to the front of the auditorium partway through the meeting, that’s exactly what he did.
Although corporate directors are often faced with difficult questions about the conduct of the companies ...
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