Abstract
AbstractMultinational corporations (MNCs) are increasingly seen as key actors in global governance. This article introduces the concept of corporate role conceptions as a new and interdisciplinary approach for analysing the self‐conception of MNCs. To illustrate its analytical strength, the concept is used to explore how MNCs operating in major forest‐risk supply chains, that is, cattle, palm oil, pulp, soy and timber, conceive themselves and their function in global forest governance. The empirical analysis shows that their self‐conception is both complex and multifaceted as they seek to perform several functions at the same time: corporate decision‐makers consider it appropriate for their corporation to be a pioneer, a role model, a supporter and co‐creator, a dedicated worker, a force for prosperity, a good global citizen and a good steward. However, these corporate role conceptions are overlapping and partly incompatible, which leads to role conflict. I argue that this role conflict constrains corporate agency in global forest governance and therefore diminishes the potential of MNCs to promote positive change.
Highlights
Multinational corporations (MNCs) are increasingly seen as key actors in global governance
Considering the key role that demand-side interventions play in reducing global deforestation and the public desire for greater MNC involvement, policy makers and scholars have a strong interest in better understanding the nature of corporate agency in global forest governance (Hofferberth, 2017)
This article contributes to the existing literature on corporate agency in global governance by shedding light on corporate role conceptions, that is, the different ways in which MNCs see themselves and their function
Summary
Multinational corporations (MNCs) are increasingly seen as key actors in global governance. The empirical analysis shows that their self-conception is both complex and multifaceted as they seek to perform several functions at the same time: corporate decision-makers consider it appropriate for their corporation to be a pioneer, a role model, a supporter and co-creator, a dedicated worker, a force for prosperity, a good global citizen and a good steward. These corporate role conceptions are overlapping and partly incompatible, which leads to role conflict.
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