Corporate Social Responsibility, Government, and Civil Society
This article examines the role of governments and civil society in shaping and encouraging corporate social responsibility (CSR). It begins by exploring the relationship between CSR and particular patterns of business–government–civil society relations. It then examines the patterns of business–government relations that are associated with CSR. It explores two basic models. One is the dichotomous view that posits that CSR and government are, by definition, mutually exclusive; accordingly, the scope of CSR is defined by the absence of regulation and public policy. The second posits that CSR is the relationship between market actors and governments. This article also investigates changes in business–government–civil society relations which explain the recent growth and development of CSR. Finally, it examines the ways in which governments have promoted CSR and the relationship between responsible public and private policies.