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Geographic stigma: The role of names and nonlocal audiences in headquarters relocation from Catalonia
About the Research
This paper examines how emerging geographic stigma influences organizations’ decisions to relocate their headquarters to avoid the transfer of stigma from the region to the organization. We argue that exposure to external audiences—specifically, those located just beyond the region undergoing stigmatization—and the extent to which an organization’s name is associated with that region play key roles in determining whether the organization becomes a target of stigma transfer. Building on prior research on categorical stigma and on organizational and individual names, we hypothesize that firms exposed to nonlocal audiences are more likely to relocate. This effect is amplified when a firm’s name signals a regional association. However, when a manager’s name is also associated with the region, the firm becomes less of a target for stigmatizing audiences, thereby reducing the likelihood of relocation. We test these hypotheses in the context of the Catalan independence crisis by examining firms’ relocation of their headquarters from Catalonia. The results support our arguments. (co-authors: Blanca Moriyon & Alicia Barroso)
About Samira Reis
Samira Reis is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration at Carlos III University. She holds a Ph.D. in Management from Bocconi University. Her research investigates how stigma shapes markets, organizations, and individuals, and examines the competitive dynamics that drive market emergence and evolution. She has studied these questions across diverse contexts, including online platforms, the medical marijuana and biotherapeutics industries, television and film, and the visual arts and tea markets. Her work has been published in several journals, including Administrative Science Quarterly, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management,and Journal of Management Studies. is an Associate Professor in the Department of Business Administration at Carlos III University. She holds a Ph.D. in Management from Bocconi University. Her research investigates how stigma shapes markets, organizations, and individuals, and examines the competitive dynamics that drive market emergence and evolution. She has studied these questions across diverse contexts, including online platforms, the medical marijuana and biotherapeutics industries, television and film, and the visual arts and tea markets. Her work has been published in several journals, including Administrative Science Quarterly, Organization Science, Strategic Management Journal, Journal of Management,and Journal of Management Studies.
Date: Thursday 20 November, 2025
Time: 12:45-14:15 CEST
Venue: B0-114, (Zoom link provided to registered attendees)
Reminder: We no longer provide food as per school policy…
Should you want to attend, please register at https://forms.gle/rYxqPmw7cZsCrsHU8
