ABSTRACT
Historic forces are modifying the very principles by which corporations operate. There are several stage-like frameworks to describe the life-cycle of controversial issues involving corporations. In order to apply life-cycle models issue to multidimensional, global issues are entailed in sustainable development, we must take account of at least two things that affect the global dynamics. First, there is no sovereign government at the global level. Second, there is an international cultural shift that supports adding sustainable development to the list of responsibilities borne by corporations. Thomas Marx proposed a four-stage model that moved from informal public expectations, to organized political activity, to legislation, to enforced behavior change. The four-stage models are changing stakeholder expectations, political action, formal government action and legal implementation. The chapter describes the issues of executives and managers involved in strategic planning, community affairs, government affairs, regulatory compliance, and all types of stakeholder relations, including shareholder relations.
