Emotional framing of NGO press releases: Reformative versus radical NGOs

Abstract

Drawing on the literature on framing, we explore the emotional framing differences in radical and reformative NGOs over time. We analyse the sentiment of a sample of 5880 press releases issued by five NGOs positioned differently on the reformativeradical spectrum and examine how they address large companies. Our findings reveal an increasing polarisation of sentiment in these NGOs' framing, with individual NGOs gravitating towards ideal-type radical or reformative positions, respectively. In alignment with the differences in their framing, we observe differences in their approaches to cross-sector partnerships. Policymakers need to note the implications of the observed polarisation for the effectiveness and credibility of cross-sector partnerships and multi-stakeholder initiatives more generally, given the risk of co-optation (for reformative NGOs) as well as the risk of foregoing significant funding and governance opportunities (for radical NGOs).

From negative to positive sustainability performance measurement and assessment? A qualitative inquiry drawing on framing effects theory

“…Approaches to framing usually differentiate between positive (i.e., “gain”) and negative (i.e., “loss”) frames (Levin et al, 1998; Tversky & Kahneman, 1981). Framing, in general, is a much‐discussed phenomenon in the academic literature (Cornelissen & Werner, 2014), including sustainability management research (e.g., Dzhengiz et al, 2021; Muñoz & Cohen, 2018; Thøgersen, 2006). Muñoz and Cohen (2018), for example, differentiate sustainable entrepreneurship frames, arguing that entrepreneurship has moved from being the cause of presenting a solution in terms of sustainability.…”

“…Muñoz and Cohen (2018), for example, differentiate sustainable entrepreneurship frames, arguing that entrepreneurship has moved from being the cause of presenting a solution in terms of sustainability. Others use framing as analytical perspective to assess the way “green” products and organizations are presented in the media (Thøgersen, 2006) or to illustrate how nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) use emotional framing to address multinational companies (Dzhengiz et al, 2021). Furthermore, Lahtinen and Yrjölä (2019) use a framing perspective to analyze how managers frame conventional and sustainability management activities differently when aiming for sustainability transformation.…”

Emotion Work in Tabligh Jama’at Texts

“…Emotions are important components of framing (Schrock et al 2004;Eyerman 2005;Snow et al 2018;Raffaeli et al 2019;Dzhengiz et al 2021). Snow et al (2018, p. 397) point out that "the appeal to or use of emotion appears to be a central feature of motivational framing".…”

NGOs, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development trajectories in a new reformative spectrum: ‘New wine in old bottles or old wine in new bottles?’

“…In the past few years, the awareness of the necessity to find alternatives to the ‘business as usual’ model and to favour the pursuit of social and environmental policies has increased rapidly (Calvo et al, 2020). Non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) represent a relatively new type of enterprise (Arts, 2002; Crespy & Miller, 2011; Dzhengiz et al, 2021; Fontana, 2018; Parry & Smalltalk, 2010; Skouloudis et al, 2015; Van Hille et al, 2019; Van Huijstee & Glasbergen, 2008) with great potential to provide a different business model, one that includes social and/or environmental objectives (Sepulveda et al, 2018) but still presents—despite the support received in the past few years at the institutional level—some confusion with regard to its core concepts (Choi et al, 2020).…”

“…We intend to improve the analysis of the social impact of NGOs operating in developed countries (Chen et al, 2019; Kucharska & Kowalczyk, 2018) to gain a better understanding of their role when interacting both with the public and with final users (Cashmore & Axelsson, 2013; Karjalainen & Järvikoski, 2010; Partidario & Sheate, 2013; Walker, 2010), in this way providing indications for scholars, practitioners, managers, and policy makers. Our literature review highlights the key factors affecting social accounting, NGOs' impact performance measurement, and stakeholder engagement when pursuing sustainable development (Dzhengiz et al, 2021; Fontana, 2018; Van Hille et al, 2019). We also highlight the existence of room for additional actions, especially at the normative level, considering the importance for policy makers to examine and measure—as stated by the Organisation for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD, 2007)—the costs, benefits, and potential effects of new regulations, such as the one enacted in Italy regarding social accounting for NGOs.…”