Letters as organizational rhetoric on environmental social and governance (ESG): the case of Larry Fink and BlackRock from 2018 to 2023

Gareth Thompson

6 citations0/0 files storedCorporate Communications An International Journal

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Public Relations and Crisis Communication Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting Rhetoric and Communication Studies

Abstract

Purpose This paper is intended as an original contribution to researching ESG from a PR perspective, as well as offering a case study of the use of letters as a mode of corporate communication. Design/methodology/approach The methodology is interdisciplinary but is centred on a critical discourse analysis of the organizational rhetoric on ESG in the annual letters of BlackRock CEO Larry Fink from 2018 to 2023. The article also considers the content of the BlackRock letters alongside the campaign rhetoric deployed by opponents to ESG over the same period. Findings The analysis of the letters showed up a difference in tempo and tone between the courteous, collaborative and somewhat “corporate” style of text in the Fink letters and the more urgent and confrontational tone of opponents that adopted a populist line of argumentation against ESG in general and Larry Fink and BlackRock in particular. Practical implications While advantages can accrue to CEOs and corporations for speaking out on issues, there are also perils awaiting in the contemporary environment for opinion. The findings suggest it is also important to gauge the intensity of cultural and political division in society when speaking out on contentious issues and make a judgement on whether to proceed based on that analysis. Moreover, in countries where the middle ground of public opinion has eroded, ideology and cultural affiliations can prevail instead of openness to argument and counter-argument on topics such as climate change. Originality/value The paper presents a fresh case study of a CEO who has been prominent in shaping the discourse on ESG, which has itself become is a matter of contemporary relevance to public relations. The findings offer original insights that are additive to existing guidance and criteria for CEOs deciding to speak out on issues on behalf of their organizations.

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References

2001The Discourse-Historical Approach 2000Racism in the News: A Critical Discourse Analysis of News Reporting in Two Australian Newspapers 2022The end of ESG 2008A Discursive Perspective on Legitimation Strategies in Multinational Corporations 2008A Communicative Theory of the Firm: Developing an Alternative Perspective on Intra-organizational Power and Stakeholder Relationships 2009Rhetorical and Critical Approaches to Public Relations II 2004Corporate Rhetoric as Organizational Discourse 2022Global Drivers for ESG Performance: The Body of Knowledge

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