This chapter sets out the traditional analysis of network as a different organisational arrangement to either hierarchy or market. The contrast is between hierarchies, markets, and networks as first coordinating devices and then as governance mechanisms. In the first instance, these are set up as ‘rivalrously complementary’ ideal types of social organisation to demarcate the different claims they make on how the organisation of the social is to be understood. The chapter lays out the basic claims made for networks in particular, as to how they are different from hierarchical and market forms of organisation. In other words, the chapter tries to systematise what might be the logic of networks and the legitimate limits to their operation. For hierarchical forms of organisation, the key features for governance are rule-bounded bureaucracy, authority, administration, and superordination and subordination. For market forms, the key features are price, self-interest, competition, and formal contracts.
This article investigates the relationship between corporate social responsibility and a phrase that is fast becoming a preferred description of much the same thing but now set in an international context, namely global corporate citizenship. It is argued that the distinction between these two has not been clearly enough made in the literature. In clarifying the difference, the political nature of the idea of citizenship is focused upon and the politics of introducing triple-line considerations into the activity of transnational corporations is explored. An engagement with a wide range of civil society actors by corporations to further the ‘ethical’ agenda, a reconsideration of ‘corporate democracy’ in an international context, and the idea of a ‘progressive capitalist’ group of companies that might spear-head genuine corporate citizenship are concentrated upon in this assessment. Finally, the politics of an alliance for global corporate citizenship is broached that would take companies well beyond the limited agenda of just noting and attending to their social and environmental responsibilities.
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