Vizi private, pubbliche virtù: discordant voices in the corporate discourse of JP Morgan Chase

This paper builds on the research insights provided by Goffman, Bhatia, Hyland and Garzone to examine the frontstage and backstage corporate discourse of the investment bank JP Morgan Chase. In contrast with the frontstage discourse, with its philanthropic overtones projecting an image of corporate social responsibility and enlightened investment in social programmes, the backstage discourse, partially occluded by corporate confidentiality policies, presents methodological challenges for the researcher seeking to gain an understanding of the management strategies adopted by the company, as to the outsider they appear to be embedded in a culture of secrecy and complicity. One possible research methodology examined in this paper is the investigation of corporate discourse and practice refracted through the prism of a class action lawsuit, casting a cone of light on the shadowy areas of corporate discourse that appear to be characterised by opacity and concealment. Although based on allegations rather than facts established by the courts, the lawsuit casts a penetrating light into the penumbra of backstage financial operations at JP Morgan Chase, the nature of which is in sharp contrast with the frontstage discourse of philanthropy and social enlightenment. If the claims outlined in the lawsuit are substantiated, this would provide evidence in support of the argument that corporate social responsibility is not the stuff of corporate practice at JP Morgan Chase, but rather a device intended to project a carefully constructed image, and to perform an essential public relations function.