Being sued could boost executives' careers

Environmental or intellectual property scandals doesn't cost top bosses their prospects but could help them climb the ladder, an Adelaide researcher has found.

Chief executives whose organisations are embroiled in environmental lawsuits almost always escape reputational and career fallout, and those sued over IP breaches are rewarded with more invitations to join outside boardrooms.

The University of Adelaide study of almost 10,000 US cases raises serious implications for claims of corporate social responsibility, business lecturer Dr Chelsea Liu says.

It also shows that aggressive, competitive IP strategies are rewarded, even when they result in legal action.