The Role of Governments in the Business and Society Debate

Abstract

The role of governments in business and society (B&S) research remains underexplored. The generally accepted principle of voluntarism, which frames responsible business conduct as an unregulated subject under managerial discretion, accounts for this gap. Paradoxically, there are sufficient acknowledgments in academia and practice on different roles of governments. The present article identifies three broad topics for research, addressing (a) the paradox between the principle of voluntarism and the role of governments in B&S, (b) the boundaries of governments and business in their contribution to B&S issues, and (c) the mechanisms of government intervention that affect corporate social performance. The authors approach the first topic with a literature review of 703 articles marked with the term “government” from five journals in the field ( Business & Society, Business Ethics: A European Review, Business Ethics Quarterly, Business Strategy and the Environment, and Journal of Business Ethics) between 1982 and 2011. This study indicates that the principle of voluntarism remains, despite the broad variety of research related to the role of government in B&S. In addition, the identified content provides deeper insight into the mechanisms of government intervention and on the boundaries of governments in the B&S discourse. This article then provides a summary of the other three research articles included in this special research forum, with a contribution oriented toward the latter two research avenues posited.

Analysis of the Canadian national corporate social responsibility strategy: Insights and implications

“…Thus, we are witnessing a case of self-extension by the Canadian state in the market place and not self-limitation as others might suggest. 9 | DISCUSSION AND EMERGING ISSUES Dentchev et al (2015) have systematically shown that the literature on the role of government in CSR has in recent years steadily grown, but the topic remains insufficiently addressed. Hence, there is a need to avoid underestimating the importance of the quasi-mandatory side of CSR (Konrad et al, 2008).…”

“…As such, Gond, Kang, and Moon (2011, p. 641) have argued that the role of government in CSR has not received significant attention since analysis of the 'CSR-government relationship' is largely counter-intuitive to many. Thus, by definition, CSR precludes a role for government (Dentchev, Haezendonck, & van Balen, 2015;Gjølberg, 2010). Thus, by definition, CSR precludes a role for government (Dentchev, Haezendonck, & van Balen, 2015;Gjølberg, 2010).…”

“…Thus, by definition, CSR precludes a role for government (Dentchev, Haezendonck, & van Balen, 2015;Gjølberg, 2010). However, Dentchev et al (2015) point out that governments are not just regulators or facilitators of CSR; rather, 'they are also key actors that strategically use CSR either for liberalizing specific aspects of social and political life or for enhancing indirect market and civil society pressure on corporation to behave in a socially responsible manner' (Gond et al, 2011, p. 642). However, Dentchev et al (2015) point out that governments are not just regulators or facilitators of CSR; rather, 'they are also key actors that strategically use CSR either for liberalizing specific aspects of social and political life or for enhancing indirect market and civil society pressure on corporation to behave in a socially responsible manner' (Gond et al, 2011, p. 642).…”

“…This is because CSR refers to discretionary business activities that go beyond the legal prescription of the law (Carroll, 1979). Thus, by definition, CSR precludes a role for government (Dentchev, Haezendonck, & van Balen, 2015;Gjølberg, 2010). Consequently Vallentin and Murillo (2012) have noted that in the few instances where the role of government in CSR has been examined in mainstream CSR debates, governments are usually reduced to a powerful force that determines the rules of the game, largely by delimiting what is located inside and outside the domain of CSR.…”

Developing Socio-Techno-Economic-Political (STEP) Solutions for Addressing Resource Nexus Hotspots

“…This commentary builds on a wide body of literature that focuses on the interactions between government, business, and society; and it categorizes these players into three types, accordingly [39][40][41][42][43][44]. The commentary highlights the way in which a better understanding of those interactions can be useful in the context of addressing resource hotspots.…”