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Different Leaders in a COVID-19 Scenario: CEO Altruism and Generous Discourse

Author

Listed:
  • Isabel-María García-Sánchez

    (Instituto Multidisciplinar de Empresa, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Víctor Amor-Esteban

    (Departamento de Estadística, Campus Miguel de Unamuno, Universidad de Salamanca, c/Alfonso X El Sabio s/n, 37007 Salamanca, Spain)

  • Alejandra García-Sánchez

    (Independent Scholar, Pharmaceutical, 37006 Salamanca, Spain)

Abstract

Academic literature has begun to be interested in the informational gaps between what companies say and do in relation to their financial performance and their commitment to society and the environment, identifying the use of self-protection and self-enhancement strategies before their interest groups. In this research, based on a statistical analysis of textual data and a correspondence analysis, the sentiment of the discourse that Spanish CEOs have held with their stakeholders regarding the operational and strategic decisions they made in the face of COVID-19 is analysed. The evidence shows that managers who promptly reported negative news regarding divestments, cutting expenses and destroying jobs, used the epidemic as justification. The leaders who combined these decisions with responsible actions—focused on the ethical and commercial sustainable dimensions—adopted an approach with a different degree of self-enhancement to value their responsible decisions. In contrast, optimistic CEOs, altruistically committed to society, opted for more personal, emotional, dynamic and constant channels and procedures, avoiding selfish attributions for their actions.

Suggested Citation

  • Isabel-María García-Sánchez & Víctor Amor-Esteban & Alejandra García-Sánchez, 2021. "Different Leaders in a COVID-19 Scenario: CEO Altruism and Generous Discourse," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(7), pages 1-19, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:7:p:3841-:d:527412
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    Cited by:

    1. Maria Krechowicz & Katarzyna Kiliańska, 2021. "Risk and Opportunity Assessment Model for CSR Initiatives in the Face of Coronavirus," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-22, May.
    2. Paramita, Widya & Purnomo, Boyke R. & Virgosita, Risa & Wibowo, Amin, 2022. "Small is beautiful: Insights from the broaden-and-build theory of positive emotions on layoff decision in micro and small enterprises," Journal of Business Venturing Insights, Elsevier, vol. 18(C).
    3. Nicola Raimo & Angela Rella & Filippo Vitolla & María-Inés Sánchez-Vicente & Isabel-María García-Sánchez, 2021. "Corporate Social Responsibility in the COVID-19 Pandemic Period: A Traditional Way to Address New Social Issues," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-16, June.

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