Social Movements and Corporate Social Responsibility

Abstract

Over the decades, social movements have been central to the emergence and spread of a worldwide corporate social responsibility (CSR) movement. While CSR was once a marginal concern, social movements were effective in bringing CSR issues to the forefront of international business concern, resulting in the institutionalization of many social and environmental principles. This chapter examines five dimensions of the social movements–CSR relationship. First, it outlines the wider sociological and global context in which social movements have risen in response to the growing power of businesses. Second, it highlights notable CSR issue areas in which social movements have been particularly effective. Third, it discusses the various insider and outsider strategies that social movements have employed to impact the CSR movement. Fourth, it enumerates the challenges that social movements face in CSR. Lastly, the chapter discusses some promising areas of future research for scholars interested in the social movements–CSR relationship.