Tracking how social activism went 'mainstream'

The use of petition websites has given individuals the immediate ability to become social activists, and coupled with social media, an unprecedented ability to force companies to amend the ways they operate.

That's according to CQUniversity academics Dr Monika Kansal and Dr Ritesh Chugh, writing for The Conversation online publication this month.

They say that websites such as Change.org, ipetitions.com and Avaaz.org have moved into the mainstream, shifting influence from organisations into the hands of individuals and fundamentally changing the way business and government respond to "people power".

Also, a study of online petitions in Australia found that online petition signers are younger than the mean population and there is a high rate of participation amid women and under-represented groups.

"It is increasingly evident that most online petitions are set up to lobby for social causes to achieve positive action. There is opportunity for companies to be on the front foot instead of at risk of being publicly shamed for perceived unethical practices," say Dr Monika Kansal and Dr Ritesh Chugh.

The CQUni academics say the connection between petition websites, social media and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is intertwined.

Their complete article is available via the Conversation Website.