Shareholder Activism as a Force for Good
Instructor Resources
Overview
This module introduces students to the complex and evolving world of shareholder activism and its impact on corporate governance and communication. Students will learn how to develop shareholder activism campaigns from the activist perspective and design strategic responses from the corporate side. Key concepts include agency theory, fiduciary duty, corporate governance, and the roles of shareholders, boards, and executives in influencing decision-making. The module also explores financial instruments and structures—such as mutual funds, hedge funds, and share types—as well as key processes like annual general meetings, proxy battles, and board elections. By connecting these foundations to topics like CSR, ESG, and DEI, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of how shareholder activism shapes ethical, financial, and social performance in today’s corporate environment.
Presentation Files
Lesson 1:
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of Lesson 1, students will be able to develop shareholder activism campaigns from the activist perspective.
Key Concepts
- Agency theory
- Annual general meeting (AGM)
- Corporate governance
- Endowment fund
- ESG investing
- Fiduciary duty
- Hedge fund
- Management
- Mutual fund
- Pension fund
- Proxy
- Proxy fight (battle)
- Shareholder
- Shareholder activist
Lesson 2:
Learning Objectives
At the conclusion of Lesson 2, students will be able to develop strategic course of actions in response to shareholder activism campaigns.
Key Concepts
- CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility
- ESG: Environmental, Social, & Governance
- DEI: Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
- Board of Directors
- Independent Directors
- Corporate Board Election Process
- Executive Board
- C-Suite
- Ordinary Shares
- Preferred Shares
- Convertible Shares
Module Developer
Dr. Alexander Laskin
Professor, Quinnipiac University
Alexander V. Laskin is a professor of strategic communication and director of MS in Public Relations program at Quinnipiac University, USA. He is an author of over 50 publications, focused primarily on investor relations, international communications, emerging media technologies, and measurement and evaluation. His most recent book, Handbook of Financial Communication and Investor Relations, offers state-of-the-art thinking and practice in investor relations and financial communication. Laskin is a 2019 Chair of the Financial Communications section of the Public Relations Society of America. He is also a Fulbright Specialist, Page Legacy Scholar, Plank Fellow, and Albert Schweitzer Fellow. His research was recognized with Institute for Public Relations’ Ketchum Excellence in Public Relations Research Award, Outstanding Article of the Year in the International Journal of Business Communication, and Quinnipiac University Faculty Scholarship Award.