The Role of Employee Voice in Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility in China

Abstract

As the already vast Chinese economy continues to outpace much of the world, the importance of establishing and promoting cultures of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and active employee voice within businesses that operate in China is becoming essential; both for sustaining economic growth and promoting the wellbeing of Chinese workers. History shows that the costs of not maintaining a CSR culture can be substantial, on both an economic and social level. By setting forth the economic and social justifications in support of CSR, this chapter aims to motivate businesses to further grow their CSR culture. To this end, this chapter first introduces the topic of CSR and employee voice. It then describes the costs of lacking CSR and voice by examining examples of corporate failures where CSR could have been beneficial. This is followed by a discussion of the barriers to CSR and voice in China. Next, we address whistleblowing laws and practices in China, followed by our conclusions and a discussion of suggestions for stimulating CSR and employee voice culture.