The multiplicity of international corporate social responsibility standards

Luc Fransen,Ans Kolk,Miguel Rivera-Santos

doi:10.1108/mbr-08-2019-0083

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.

Highlights

In the past decades, large numbers of different corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards have emerged, usually targeting, and frequently including Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) that operate in global value chains (GVCs)
5.2 Conclusions and contributions This paper aimed to offer new perspectives on CSR standard and GVC governance, especially from an international business (IB) perspective and to contribute to a more systematic understanding of the multiplicity of standards and standard-setters, as well as their dynamics and interrelationships
It started with an examination of the degree to which new types of CSR standards, in particular from emerging economies, international organizations and metastandard organizations contributed to multiplicity, and the dynamics of their emergence and functioning

Summary

Introduction

Large numbers of different corporate social responsibility (CSR) standards have emerged, usually targeting, and frequently including Multinational Enterprises (MNEs) that operate in global value chains (GVCs). Because of the fact that CSR standards have been characterized as “new regulators” in global CSR (MSI Integrity, 2017), it is crucial to obtain a much better understanding of this multiplicity, which presents a challenge both for effective governance through CSR standard-setting and for MNEs and their GVCs. This paper provides new insights into CSR standard and GVC governance, and contributes to a more systematic understanding of the multiplicity of standards and standard-setters, and their interrelationships. This paper provides new insights into CSR standard and GVC governance, and contributes to a more systematic understanding of the multiplicity of standards and standard-setters, and their interrelationships It adds a new perspective to the IB literature, which far has not really incorporated the complexity and dynamics of CSR standard multiplicity in examining GVCs and MNE strategy and policy. The overviews and classifications may be helpful for clarifying CSR standards as “new regulators” and “instruments” to actors in business, society and government, in addition to researchers

Objectives

Discussion

Conclusion