Not-so-gently Dirk

We’ve heard of Six Sigma, the Balanced Scorecard and even the Japanese Kaizen. But Toronto-based prof Dirk Matten argues that the management philosophy of the moment is “fascism”.

Matten makes his claim in a new paper examining the management practices of the US “tech industry”, in which he writes that fascism is “clearly visible in the way entrepreneurs, CEOs and financiers intend on running companies”.

Old-school management approaches are based on principles developed during the Enlightenment. “The thinking of many Silicon Valley leaders, but increasingly in wider parts of a certain corporate discourse,” writes Matten, “is diametrically opposed to the core assumptions of the enlightenment.”

Fascist corporate leaders display “disdain” for rationality, support the subjugation of the individual to corporate needs (superior imperatives), advocate for the supremacy of collective identity and believe in personality cults.

Matten identifies some Silicon Valley tech bros guilty of the aforementioned characteristics, but we won’t spoil your fun reading his paper. In any case, I’m sure we can all guess a few names, can’t we?

Not all aboard the omnibus

The UN body responsible for human rights, the OHCHR, has revealed its worries about the European Commission’s ‘omnibus’ project that waters down the directive (CSDDD) asking businesses to undertake human rights and environmental due diligence in their supply chains.

OHCHR writes that the proposed omnibus changes ”disregard the pragmatic approach” of UN principles on business and human rights; could mean companies address problems “only when it’s too late”; and create a “fundamentally inequitable situation” in which the rules work better for wealthier people.

The OHCHR “shares the concerns expressed by many stakeholders regarding the effectiveness of the proposed changes in achieving the stated aims and the alignment of such proposals with relevant international human rights standards.” That’s going to sting.

Not banking on the future

European not-for-profits have labelled the climate transition plans of 20 leading banks “not fit for purpose”.

After looking at non-financial disclosures across UK and European banks, Reclaim Finance, a pressure group, concludes they are even “exacerbating the climate crisis through their ongoing support for activities that drive greenhouse gas emission and biodiversity loss”.

Christophe Etienne, a researcher at Reclaim Finance, calls on the UK and EU governments to make robust transition plans a requirement. “We need tougher rules to ensure banks take the transition seriously,” he adds. You might be waiting a while, Christophe.

Not taking no for an answer

Celebrity activist Erin Brockovich has been enrolled to help train future business leaders in corporate governance.

The environmental campaigner, famed for her 1993 work to draw attention to groundwater contamination in California, will deliver the keynote session at the launch of a new course on company direction organised by the University of St Andrews Business School and the Institute of Directors.

Mark Brewer, professor and dean of the business school, says the new course is for leaders who want to make “meaningful change”.

“By combining real-world case studies, peer learning and putting-edge research, this programme offers a transformative experience for directors worldwide,” Brewer says.

Maybe he could pitch it to the UK and EU’s 20 leading banks. Just a thought.