Artículos

Today’s intensifying sociopolitical polarization is contributing to increased divergence (Weber et al., 2021) and hostility between groups with opposing ideological identities (Barber & Blake, 2024). This divided environment is having a direct impact on companies that are facing complex social dilemmas that they are trying to address through changes and adaptations (Mohliver et al., 2023). Specifically, the growing social visibility of companies today, brought by mediatization processes, pressures them to become involved in these social problems that are part of broader political discourses, prompting them to adopt strategic positions and decisions with a high impact on their stakeholders (van der Meer & Jonkman, 2021).

The objective of this special issue is to provide a space for knowledge generation and critical debate on the complex relationship between sociopolitical polarization, company strategic behavior (with special emphasis on brand management) and consumer and other stakeholder behavior. It is expected that the articles published will contribute to a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities faced by companies in this context, and to the identification of new strategies and behaviors that exemplify a paradigm shift. 

Therefore, this special issue invites academics, practitioners and experts in marketing, communication and public relations, strategic management, corporate social responsibility and social sciences, in general, to submit original research, case studies and theoretical analyses that stimulate debate around sociopolitical polarization and its business, strategic and behavioral implications. Interdisciplinary contributions and diverse methodological approaches are particularly valued. 

Specifically, the topics suggested for this special issue include (but are not limited to): 

• Corporate actions and reactions to increasing polarization, including corporate social responsibility and brand activism. 

• Effects of changes in corporate positioning on consumer evaluations. 

• Corporate washing practices and consumer reactions. 

• Adoption of political consumption (including anti-consumption). 

• Effects of political consumption on its targets. 

• Sociopolitical polarization and country effects. 

• Role of social networks, consumer communities and opinion leaders in polarization and depolarization. 

• Susceptibility to the effects of polarization and evaluation of environmental or social responsibility. 

• Case studies of brands successfully navigating sociopolitical polarization. 

• The role of public relations in the context of the politicization of companies and their environment. 

Keywords: Sociopolitical polarization, corporate social responsibility, brand activism, depolarization, washing, political consumption.

Manuscript Submission Information 

• Open for submissions: October 1st, 2025. 

• Closing date for new submissions: January 31th, 2026. 

Please indicate that your paper is intended for this special issue. Manuscripts should be submitted in MS Word format by e-mail to the following address (Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.). 

Accepted papers will be published in the journal and will be listed together in the special issue section. Original empirical research, theory development and meta-analytic reviews are all potentially appropriate for inclusion in the special issue. 

Articles can be submitted in English or Spanish. However, if an article is accepted, the authors should send the final version in English. 

Submitted manuscripts should not have been previously published, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts will be reviewed by at least two expert referees. Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript (http://www.ehu.eus/cuadernosdegestion/revista/en/submiting-papers). 

Special Issue Editors 

Dr. David Jiménez-Castillo (Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.) Universidad de Almería, Spain; Dr. Nieves García-de-Frutos (Esta dirección de correo electrónico está siendo protegida contra los robots de spam. Necesita tener JavaScript habilitado para poder verlo.) Universidad de Almería, Spain.

Further Information 

For questions regarding this special issue’s content, please contact the guest editors.