The multiplicity of international corporate social responsibility standards

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to examine the multiplicity of corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards, explaining its nature, dynamics and implications for multinational enterprises (MNEs) and international business (IB), especially in the context of CSR and global value chain (GVC) governance. Design/methodology/approach This paper leverages insights from the literature in political science, policy, regulation, governance and IB; from the own earlier work; and from an inventory of CSR standards across a range of sectors and products. Findings This analysis’ more nuanced approach to CSR standard multiplicity helps distinguish the different categories of standards; uncovers the existence of different types of standard multiplicity; and highlights complex trends in their evolution over time, discussing implications for the various firms targeted by, or involved in, these initiatives, and for CSR and GVC governance research. Research limitations/implications This paper opens many avenues for future research on CSR multiplicity and its consequences; on lead firms governing GVCs from an IB perspective; and on institutional and market complexity. Practical implications By providing overviews and classifications, this paper helps clarify CSR standards as “new regulators” and “instruments” for actors in business, society and government. Originality/value This paper contributes by filling gaps in different existing literatures concerning standard multiplicity. It also specifically adds a new perspective to the IB literature, which thus far has not fully incorporated the complexity and dynamics of CSR standard multiplicity in examining GVCs and MNE strategy and policy.

Exploring Supplier Sustainability Audit Standards: Potential for and Barriers to Standardization

“…They further indicate recent work done to compile a database of multi-stakeholder initiatives (for more detail, see M.S.I. Integrity 2017 [29]) and differentiate between different varieties of international CSR standards, private initiatives and associations, based on characteristics such as: composition between civil society, private firms and government, geographic focus on producing countries or buyer countries and degree of formalisation [81].…”

“…Furthermore, they serve as a platform for FCs to exchange good practice regarding standards, processes, tools and approaches to sustainability in supply chain management such as sustainability audits [30,62,65,76,79]. Fransen et al note that the majority of activity defining "appropriate business practices are taking place in collaboratively developed and governed CSR standards" [81]. They further indicate recent work done to compile a database of multi-stakeholder initiatives (for more detail, see M.S.I.…”

“…The persistence of serious problems in the conduct and thus results of audits presents serious risks for the legitimacy of such programmes and the results that FCs report based on such audits. As Fransen et al [81] argue, there is clear need for an integration of insights gained in global governance literature, political economy, labour relations and compliance and international business, specifically SSCM research. Researchers should also continue to undertake critical research into the actual effectiveness of audits, both in terms of genuinely reducing risk exposure and in terms of improving sustainability performance and conditions in the supply chain.…”

Accountability by design? Exploring design characteristics of corporate social responsibility standards

“…The extant literature notes that there is a substantive structural variation amongst the plethora of existing CSR standards (Marx, 2013;Fransen et al, 2019;Reinecke et al, 2012). Consequently, several attempts have been made to develop useful taxonomies and classification systems (Behnam and MacLean, 2011;Rasche, 2009;Brunsson et al, 2012;Timmermans and Epstein, 2010).…”

Corporate social responsibility in ports of Latin America

“…The first one to define CSR was Bowen (1953); however, Carroll (1979) was the first to offer a model where it integrates various elements into the concept of CSR, and hence different definitions have emerged to date. In this order of ideas, Fransen et al (2019) define standard CSR as the rules that determine what is considered responsible conduct by businesses, specifically as it relates to society, the environment and ethics. CSR is also defined as the obligations and responsibilities that a company should have for its stakeholders (Brew et al, 2015).…”