Corporate Diplomacy

Corporate diplomacy has emerged as a strategic management tool that enables companies operating abroad to secure institutional roles and legitimacy akin to those traditionally associated with state diplomacy. By engaging in strategic relationship-building with a diverse set of stakeholders -including governments, NGOs, local communities, and even competitors, – corporate diplomacy extends beyond conventional business operations. It encompasses managing corporate reputation, meeting societal expectations, and navigating complex regulatory environments to bolster an organization’s influence in international markets.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Understand the concept of corporate diplomacy, its history, and its functions in a global context.
• Identify the benefits and challenges of integrating corporate diplomacy within organizations.
• Analyze and apply core tools of corporate diplomacy, including intelligence, communication, and advocacy.
• Evaluate stakeholder management and the creation of shared value as strategic elements in corporate diplomacy.
• Design corporate diplomacy strategies to manage relationships, support corporate goals, and mitigate risks.
• Apply these concepts through an in-depth case study of LaLiga, analyzing its role as a corporate diplomacy actor in global markets.

The course covers corporate diplomacy definitions, functions, integration within firms, the role of network theory, stakeholder management, shared value creation, and advocacy through tools like lobbying and negotiation, with continuous attention to LaLiga as a key case study.