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To develop the self‐interested, business rationale for the export of socially responsible business behavior by multinational firms to developing economies.

Review the rationale for the ascendance of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the developed economies, the skepticism that emerged regarding CSR and the proliferation of codes to guide CSR conduct. From this perspective build a parallel case for the development of a business rationale for CSR in the developing economies and how multinational firms can play a transformative role.

Corporations typically have a self‐interested approach to adopting CSR values; either for marketing purposes, or to sustain acceptance among socially conscious investors, consumers, competitors, etc. This same approach should be adopted in the developing world: because consumers and investors transfer these same expectations globally; because businesses in developing countries want acceptance; and because multinationals can test performance‐based rather than regulatory‐based approaches to CSR behaviors.

Measurements of on the ground progress in implementing CSR standards abroad are limited both by lack of empirical data, and accepted understanding of measurement yardsticks. This should be the subject of additional research and analysis.

Corporations and stakeholders might find common ground in developing acceptable codes of conduct for CSR behavior in the developing economies and non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) might serve as credible, third‐party auditors of conduct.

Based on a report to the non‐profit organization, The Foundation for the Future, this article aims to review methodological approaches to forecasting the long‐term future.

This is not an analysis of the particular content of the next 500 or 1,000 years but a comparative analysis of methodologies and epistemological approaches best utilized in long‐range foresight work. It involves an analysis of multiple methods to understand long‐range foresight; literature review; and critical theory.

Methodologies that forecast the long‐term future are likely to be more rewarding – in terms of quality, insight, and validity – if they are eclectic and layered, go back in time as far as they go in the future, that contextualize critical factors and long‐term projections through a nuanced reading of macrohistory, and focus on epistemic change, the ruptures that reorder how we know the world.

The article provides frameworks to study the long‐range future. It gives advice on how best to design research projects that are focused on the long‐term. Limitations include: no quantitative studies were used and the approach while epistemologically sensitive remains bounded by Western frameworks of knowledge.

The article provides methodological and epistemological guidance as to the best methods for long range foresight. It overviews strengths and weaknesses of various approaches.

This is the only research project to analyze methodological aspects of 500‐1,000 year forecasting. It includes conventional technocratic views of the future as well as Indic and feminist perspectives. It is among the few studies to link macrohistory and epistemic analysis to study the long‐term.