Forget The 2016 Election Candidates, CEOs Are Driving Change

Social responsibility has become a huge part of major corporations' strategic play-books. Multinational firms must maintain an image that is favorable in many different parts of the world, while responding to issues that matter to their customers.

Unlike presidential candidates – who cater to a particular group of voters in certain states, U.S. businesses are held responsible by a cross-section of the population, making their actions some of the biggest drivers for change in today's world.

Tackling Big Issues

Polarizing issues that sometimes leave political contenders to toe a fine line are often opportunities for U.S. corporations to step in and stand up for what their organization, and their customers, believe in.

Related Link: Is Social Activism And Marketing A Good Combination?

When a new religious freedom law in some U.S. states threatened to tear down much of the progress made in the LGBT community, companies like Eli Lilly and Co LLY, American Airlines Group Inc AAL and Intel Corporation INTC spoke out against the measure.

By threatening to take their businesses elsewhere, the firms pressured government leaders in those states to rethink their decisions.

Benefiting Their Bottom Line

Other major issues like immigration and the latest migrant crisis are also at the top of many firms' billings. In some cases, like Apple Inc. AAPL's pledge to help Syrian refugees, the activism is good publicity for the company.

In others, like Facebook Inc FB, Google Inc GOOG GOOGL and Microsoft Corporation MSFT's joint letter to Congress asking for immigration reform, the actions are aimed at improving companies' bottom lines. Recruiting top talent from other countries is an important way to drive innovation, especially for tech firms.

Social Activism

Whether their actions appear to be charitable or financially beneficial, U.S. corporations are gaining by becoming change makers. Companies that endear themselves to the public are likely to gain a loyal user base, and doing so is becoming easier. As Americans become more disillusioned by politics in Washington, an opening has emerged for an entity that will do "what's right," and business leaders are looking to fill that gap.