Corporate speeches as a source of corporate values: An analysis across years, themes, and industries

• Published in: Strategic management journal Vol. 4; no. 2; pp. 187 - 196
• Main Authors: Sussman, Lyle, Ricchio, Penny, Belohlav, James
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.04.1983; John Wiley and Sons; John Wiley; Wiley Periodicals Inc
• Subjects: Audiences; Automotive industries; Banking industry; Chief executive officers; Communication; Corporate; Corporate officers; Corporations; Directors; Executives; Finance; Industrial products; Industrial regulation; Industry; Information sources; Insurance industry; Manufacturing industries; Public relations; Race relations; Research Notes and Communications; Society; Speeches; Studies; Trends; Values
• ISSN: 0143-2095; 1097-0266
• DOI: 10.1002/smj.4250040208

To examine the major themes in corporate speeches over the period 1950-1975, data were obtained from speeches published in the 1950-1975 volumes of Vital Speeches. The dominant themes were identified to determine if these themes reflected any patterns or trends that have changed over the years. A speech given by a high ranking corporate executive is a formal policy statement of the corporation; as such, these speeches reflect corporate values. World and national economics was the theme 29% of the 882 speeches studied. Management and leadership, followed by social issues were the next most prevalent themes. Speakers from 28 industries addressed a total of 8 different themes. This study confirms that corporate speeches as a data source constitute an easy port of access to explorations of corporate values.