CSR in the auto industry: do the first-tier suppliers have stakeholders?

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become an increasingly important construct for corporate strategies, notably in the automotive industry. This article tries to identify which factors might induce first-tier suppliers to commit to socially responsible practices. Rooted in a stakeholder approach, we analyse in what way customers, civil society, employees, Socially Responsible Investors (SRIs) and state authorities affect first-tier suppliers. We will demonstrate that these traditional stakeholders have little influence on companies. The conclusion will argue that the analytical framework should be broadened to include the meso-economic level.