In the six months since the start of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many Western companies have re-evaluated their ties to the Kremlin in an unprecedented way. One business professor at the George Washington University says the mass corporate exodus leaves many unanswered questions.
John Forrer is the director of the Institute for Corporate Responsibility at the GW School of Business and an associate research professor of strategic management & public policy. His areas of expertise include corporate social responsibility, globalization and global governance, and business and peace.
Forrer says the international sanctions on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine were notably swift and forceful – a contrast to the more typically incremental and less comprehensive sanctions adopted in responses to other international crises.
“Rather than reacting to the legal requirements of government-imposed sanctions, corporations got out ahead of the issue in an unprecedented way,” Forrer says. “But now what? When can corporations re-engage commercially with Russia? If ever? And what are the implications for the next crisis when the leading democracies sanctions a major economic power – such as China over Hong Kong or Taiwan? Should corporations repeat their performance against Russia? Was it a good idea for corporations to self-sanction and what are the alternatives?”
If you would like more context on this matter or would like to speak with Professor Forrer, please contact GW Media Relations Specialist Cate Douglass at [email protected].
-GW-