The Political Economy of Corporate Social Responsibility

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhabrata Bobby Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
The Political ◽  
Corporate Social

scholarly journals A critical perspective on corporate social responsibility

2014 ◽  
Vol 10 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 84-95 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhabrata Bobby Banerjee
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Political Economy ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Theoretical Development ◽  
The Political ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Governance Framework ◽  
Corporate Social

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to argue that there are structural and functional limits to corporate social responsibility (CSR) that determine the boundary conditions of corporate social initiatives. The current preoccupation with win-win situations in CSR may not serve societal interests. For CSR to produce social outcomes that are not necessarily constrained by corporate rationality there needs to be a change in the normative framework of public decision making at the institutional level. The author develops a global governance framework for CSR that provides more democratic forms of decision making in the political economy that will enable corporate social responsibility to overcome the constraints imposed by corporate rationality. Design/methodology/approach – This is a conceptual paper and critique. Findings – The author develops a global governance framework for CSR that provides more democratic forms of decision making in the political economy that will enable corporate social responsibility to overcome the constraints imposed by corporate rationality. Originality/value – The paper contributes to theoretical development of CSR.

Moving out of the comfort zone? Trade union revitalisation and corporate social responsibility

2019 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 132-155
Author(s):  
Michael Gold ◽  
Lutz Preuss ◽  
Chris Rees
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Trade Unions ◽  
The Political ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
European Study ◽  
Comfort Zone ◽  
Civil Society Organisations ◽  
Corporate Social

In recent decades, trade unions have employed a range of revitalisation strategies aimed at regaining lost power. A relatively neglected area within the literature on revitalisation concerns union engagement with corporate social responsibility. Locating trade unions within a classification of civil society organisations from the political science literature, this article presents a typology of the multiple ways in which trade unions can engage with corporate social responsibility. Data from a pan-European study across 11 countries are used to illustrate the various ways in which unions are attempting to move out of their traditional ‘comfort zone’ with respect to corporate social responsibility, each of which presents them with both new opportunities and challenges. We show how trade unions are working on different ‘pressure points’ and act as purposeful agents within certain organisational parameters and particular national frameworks. In sum, the article considers the potential that corporate social responsibility provides for trade unions, and reflects on the likely direction of revitalisation debates.

Corporate Social Responsibility in Nigeria: Realities, Modalities and Possibilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 2512
Author(s):  
Adebukola E. OYEWUNMI ◽  
Olabode A. OYEWUNMI
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Corporate Sustainability ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Business Environment ◽  
The Political ◽  
Community Wellbeing ◽  
Conceptual Paper ◽  
Multiple Levels ◽  
Corporate Social

This conceptual paper provides a non-revisionist but contextual perspective on the largely controversial issue of corporate social responsibility. It expounds the dimensions of CSR by leveraging on specific global benchmarks whilst highlighting gaps applicable to Nigeria’s business environment. In furtherance of this objective, the essence of the global oil economy is noted, conceptualizations are proffered and contextual issues are discussed. The paper argues that a flexible and innovative model is plausible as a platform to elevate the essence of CSR on multiple levels. It emphasizes the importance of harmonizing the political, business, environmental and legal aspects of CSR to promote corporate sustainability, broad based economic development and community wellbeing.

Corporate Social Responsibility Theories

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Domènec Melé
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Integration ◽  
Social Power ◽  
Historical Background ◽  
The Political ◽  
Wealth Creation ◽  
Political Arena ◽  
The Social ◽  
Corporate Social

This article follows the study of Garriga and Melé (2004), which distinguishes four groups of corporate social responsibility theories, considering their respective focus on four different aspects of the social reality: economics, politics, social integration, and ethics. The first one focuses on economics. Here the corporation is seen as a mere instrument for wealth creation. The second group focuses on the social power of the corporation and its responsibility in the political arena associated with its power. The third group focuses on social integration. It includes theories which consider that business ought to integrate. In describing each theory, this article commences with an overview, followed by a brief historical background, including the milestones of its development. Then, it outlines the conceptual bases of the theory, concluding with a brief discussion on the strengths and weaknesses of each theory.

Corporate Social Responsibility ‐ Is it a Viable Tool for Development?

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Nartowski
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Human Resource ◽  
Ethical Issues ◽  
The Political ◽  
Development Projects ◽  
Advantages And Disadvantages ◽  
Broad Term ◽  
The World ◽  
Corporate Social

The topic of CSR, or Corporate Social Responsibility, continues to grow in todays political, economical, and social spheres. Despite the fact that CSR is an immense driver for development projects around the world, there is little academic work that evaluates the effects of CSR and makes a judgment on this issue. Firstly, this study will define and organize the broad term of CSR as its meanings range from natural preservation projects to human resource benefits. Through the organization of the term CSR into various categories, one can better understand the complexities and ethical issues surrounding this avenue of funding. Secondly, this study will evaluate the effects of major CSR projects around the world. By examining the political, economical, and social advantages and disadvantages of some of the worlds largest CSR funded projects, a verdict will be made on this issue.

Markets and Morality

2019 ◽  
pp. 83-108
Author(s):  
James R. Otteson
Keyword(s):  
Political Economy ◽  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Ideal Theory ◽  
Price Gouging ◽  
Corporate Social

Chapter 4 raises the question of how markets and morality go together, and how our conception of honorable business might deal with some of the leading objections critics have raised to markets and business. It looks at and offers initial responses to a several worries, including inequality, unfairness and luck, externalities, low worker pay, price gouging, manipulation of consumer desires and choices, and profit-seeking. It also explores the notion of corporate social responsibility (CSR), and the extent to which there can be such a thing as “honorable profit.” Finally, the chapter suggests that the field of political economy, which informs the argument of this chapter and the book, is an exercise not in ideal theory but rather in practical, second-bests—and, as such, should aim at steady and widespread improvement if not perfection.

The Political Perspective of Corporate Social Responsibility: A Critical Research Agenda

2012 ◽  
Vol 22 (4) ◽  
pp. 709-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Glen Whelan
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Research Agenda ◽  
Practical Importance ◽  
The Political ◽  
Critical Research ◽  
Political Perspective ◽  
Political Csr ◽  
Political Model ◽  
Corporate Social

ABSTRACT:I here advance a critical research agenda for the political perspective of corporate social responsibility (Political CSR). I argue that whilst the ‘Political’ CSR literature is notable for both its conceptual novelty and practical importance, its development has been hamstrung by four ambiguities, conflations and/or oversights. More positively, I argue that ‘Political’ CSR should be conceived as one potentialformof globalization, and not as aconsequenceof ‘globalization’; that contemporary Western MNCs should be presumed to engage in CSR for instrumental reasons; that ‘Political’ CSR should be associated with a corresponding ‘political’ model of corporate governance; and that both a ‘Rawlsian’ and ‘Habermasian’ perspective of Political CSR are different from ‘Political’ CSR. In concluding, I use these four critiques to identify a number of areas within which increasingly robust and sophisticated positive and normative theories of Political CSR are required.

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