Jason Miklian and Ralf Barkemeyer
This paper aims to present a new survey data set of 9,065 private sector respondents and other stakeholder groups, in Myanmar. The primary aim of this paper is to offer new…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present a new survey data set of 9,065 private sector respondents and other stakeholder groups, in Myanmar. The primary aim of this paper is to offer new insight avenues on local business–conflict–development interactions, and offer the full survey data set itself as an open-source research tool for scholars and practitioners.
Design/methodology/approach
The survey was conducted over smartphone in 2018. It asked questions that aimed to better understand the relationships between business, ethnic conflict, investment, corporate social responsibility and the United Nations sustainable development goals in Myanmar and in Rakhine State in particular.
Findings
The data set captures a series of significant differences in corporate leadership perspectives on the role of business in society, across sectors (e.g. banking, agriculture, retail, manufacturing, extractives) and variations across firm country of ownership (e.g. national firms, Global North firms, Indian firms, Chinese firms).
Research limitations/implications
The authors conclude with a brief discussion of possible research findings from the survey, offering suggestions for possible forward analysis. The authors offer here the raw survey data as an attachment for full global open-source use and application.
Practical implications
This data set offers a unique window into stakeholder perceptions and understandings of working through conflict, and the role of business in development in a fragile conflict-affected state (Myanmar). The authors also conduct two example analyses of the data set using ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests to illustrate possible uses and findings of the data set.
Social implications
The authors briefly discuss social implications as well, particularly regarding the role of business in peacebuilding and development.
Originality/value
This data set offers a unique window into stakeholder perceptions and understandings of working through conflict, and the role of business in development in a fragile conflict-affected state (Myanmar). The authors also conduct two example analyses of the data set using ANOVA and Kruskal–Wallis tests to illustrate possible uses and findings of the data set.
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Ralf Barkemeyer and Frank Figge
This paper aims to argue that the on-going professionalization and dissemination of the current wave of corporate social responsibility (CSR) concepts and instruments leads to a…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to argue that the on-going professionalization and dissemination of the current wave of corporate social responsibility (CSR) concepts and instruments leads to a headquartering effect, i.e. the concentration of CSR-related decision-making within corporate headquarters. This headquartering effect casts doubt on earlier studies suggesting that the “transnational” or “glocal” model can effectively address the multitude of global and local CSR challenges modern multinational companies (MNCs) face.
Design/methodology/approach
This conceptual paper uses a stakeholder lens, in turn, drawing from resource dependence theory and organizational legitimacy theory to develop under which conditions claims of Southern stakeholders will be considered by Northern MNCs. It provides evidence for the existence of a headquartering effect as a defining characteristic of mainstream CSR approaches.
Findings
The authors argue that the increasing professionalization and dissemination of mainstream CSR approaches among MNCs reinforce the headquartering effect, with strategic decision-making increasingly confined to the companies’ headquarters, while the scope of action within the subsidiaries and the supply chain of MNCs becomes increasingly restricted over time. Ultimately, this headquartering effect strengthens a Northern CSR/sustainability agenda and fails to empower developing country stakeholders.
Originality/value
The paper contributes by exploring how international CSR follows a different underlying rationale than international business. While international business research follows an instrumental perspective, international CSR is driven by both instrumental and normative considerations. Thus, international business theories may not be directly applicable to international CSR contexts.
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Susan R. Hume and Liam Gallagher
This study aims to examine the impact of taking environmental initiatives on the returns for service companies.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the impact of taking environmental initiatives on the returns for service companies.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors gathered data for firms that are recognized for their leadership in environmental responsibility using a well‐known social responsibility ranking list. These data were used to compare with those that were ranked high on the index with those that were ranked lower, using Jensen's alpha and Sharpe ratio performance measures relative to a benchmark.
Findings
The upper‐ and lower‐ranked socially responsible firms had significantly higher risk adjusted returns and superior performance than the benchmark. Additionally, there is evidence that firms ranked in the lower group are better valued overall.
Research limitations/implications
A higher return for socially responsible firms suggests that public investors value environmentally‐friendly firms more highly today. Future research could build on this study by examining additional performance measures including four‐factor models and conditional variance.
Practical implications
The study suggests that a service company's commitment to environmental initiatives and the recognition of its commitment is an important signal today for the investor.
Originality/value
While prior research has considered manufacturing companies, this is the first study to examine the impact of a commitment to environmental initiatives for service industry firms. The findings of the empirical examination support the benefits of green initiatives to a significant component of the US economy.
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This paper aims to explore sustainability‐related perceptions of proponents of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from 53 countries in order to shed light on contextual…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to explore sustainability‐related perceptions of proponents of corporate social responsibility (CSR) from 53 countries in order to shed light on contextual differences regarding the conceptualization of the role of CSR in global governance.
Design/methodology/approach
The results of a survey of corporate UN Global Compact participants are presented, focusing on respondents' perceptions regarding 23 key issues in sustainability. Non‐parametric statistics are applied to identify regional and country‐level patterns within the overall sample.
Findings
While general perceptions regarding the urgency of key global sustainability challenges appear to be relatively homogeneous around the globe, significant differences can be identified regarding the specific roles and responsibilities respondents attribute to their own companies in countries from the global North and South, respectively.
Research limitations/implications
The paper focuses on generic patterns within the overall sample; more detailed analysis is needed in future work to explore their origins and impact on corporate practice.
Practical implications
There is a need for an improved integration of Southern stakeholders in CSR practice and policy making in order to fully unfold the potential of CSR in global governance.
Originality/value
The paper uncovers generic differences between conceptualizations of the corporate role in global sustainability between the global North and South.
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Ian Sealy, Walter Wehrmeyer, Chris France and Matt Leach
This paper seeks to identify a requirement for a new sustainable development management system (SMS) model for global business organizations (GBOs) and proposes some essential…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper seeks to identify a requirement for a new sustainable development management system (SMS) model for global business organizations (GBOs) and proposes some essential features for such a model.
Design/methodology/approach
The concept is developed in four stages. First, a definition of a GBO is developed, after reviewing existing definitions and identifying their limitations. The characteristics of GBOs are reviewed, with emphasis on their implications for the management of sustainability programmes. A review of SMS literature and of existing SMS codes and standards has been made, and the limitations of existing SMSs are critically reviewed. Drawing on this three‐part analysis, a new model of an SMS suitable for use in GBOs is described.
Findings
Existing definitions of global business organizations are inadequate. Existing sustainability management systems standards and codes do not meet the requirements of global businesses (or indeed of other, regional businesses) in several respects.
Originality/value
The paper shows that there are special requirements for SMSs in GBOs, and that these are not met by any of the existing models or proposals in the literature. The paper proposes a new model, which combines best‐practice from existing literature with new features.
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Lutz Preuss and Ralf Barkemeyer
Against the backcloth of a growing geopolitical and economic importance of emerging economies, this paper seeks to ask whether emerging economy firms are willing to match their…
Abstract
Purpose
Against the backcloth of a growing geopolitical and economic importance of emerging economies, this paper seeks to ask whether emerging economy firms are willing to match their increased economic weight with greater social responsibility. Given a relative scarcity of research into CSR in Russia, particular attention is to be given to firms from that country.
Design/methodology/approach
The research question is examined through an analysis of differences between firms from industrialized nations, transition economies, and newly industrialized countries in terms of the breadth and depth of their sustainability reporting. This three‐way comparison analyses corporate sustainability reporting according to the GRI G3 framework developed by the Global Reporting Initiative.
Findings
The firms in the sample display clear evidence of a divide between industrialized and emerging economies, with Russia occupying a middle position. Contrary to expectations, however, emerging economy firms outperform those from industrialized nations in their coverage of GRI indicators.
Research limitations/implications
These findings leave open two possible conclusions: either emerging economy MNEs have leaped to the front in terms of addressing sustainability or they have been able to use GRI reporting as window‐dressing to hide a dirtier reality. From a different angle, the strong evidence of a North‐South divide in the sample also lends support to the national business systems approach to CSR.
Originality/value
The paper adds to a small but growing body of cross‐national studies into CSR that go beyond OECD member countries. In particular, it constitutes one of the first studies not only to tease out CSR priorities of large Russian firms but also to elucidate differences in terms of CSR priorities between newly industrialized countries and transition economies.
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This conceptual paper aims to present a new framework for the use of incentives when encouraging small businesses to adopt more sustainable business practices. It seeks to…
Abstract
Purpose
This conceptual paper aims to present a new framework for the use of incentives when encouraging small businesses to adopt more sustainable business practices. It seeks to identify and categorize various types of incentives.
Design/methodology/approach
The incentives framework was designed as a practical tool for use during the development of a small business sustainability program. Although conceptual in nature, the framework is based on research conducted by the Washington State (USA) Department of Ecology that used, in part, a modified grounded theory approach.
Findings
In addition to identifying and categorizing potential incentives, the paper presents an overview of mainstream thought on incentives and argues that incentives and disincentives are significantly different concepts. The paper identifies seven potential barriers to implementing incentives and summarizes potential solutions to those barriers. It also explains how incentives can be used to encourage sustainable behavior and corporate social responsibility reporting.
Practical implications
The framework presented is intended to assist practitioners develop and structure incentive programs. It is also intended to provide guidance to practitioners regarding the current mainstream paradigm on incentives and recommends changes to that paradigm.
Originality/value
The framework presented is entirely original. No similar framework appears to currently exist.
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Christian Herzig and Jasmin Godemann
The paper aims to explore trends in the use of internet‐supported sustainability reporting for German DAX30 companies. Particular focus is to be given to the question of the…
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to explore trends in the use of internet‐supported sustainability reporting for German DAX30 companies. Particular focus is to be given to the question of the extent that these companies use the more effective internet‐specific methods of provision, accessibility, comprehensibility and dialogue compared to print‐based reporting systems in the dissemination of information to, and communication with, stakeholders.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper draws on data from three studies in 2004, 2005 and 2007. The research is based on quantitative content analysis from these studies and on an additional e‐mail survey in 2005.
Findings
Analysis shows an overall increase in the use of internet‐specific approaches on sustainability web sites between 2004 and 2007. Particular attention has been paid to developments to improve the access and comprehensibility of information on sustainability. There remains a great deal of potential for improvement in the use of tools for stakeholder dialogue, in the introduction of customised reporting elements and in the use of other internet technologies to improve the dissemination of past and present information. It seems that companies increasingly consider internet features to be useful for reducing information costs for companies and stakeholders but not for enhancing corporate value through more intensive and credible dialogue. The findings also indicate a shortfall in communicating trade‐offs and conflicts between environmental, social and economic impacts of businesses.
Originality/value
The paper is the first to outline trends in the use of corporate sustainability reporting via the internet. The paper also extends previous empirical research in Germany that focused on printed sustainability reports.
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Alexander Leitner, Walter Wehrmeyer and Chris France
This paper aims to review how current policy instruments drive (or not) environmental innovation and, by doing so, to reinvestigate the relationship between innovation and…
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to review how current policy instruments drive (or not) environmental innovation and, by doing so, to reinvestigate the relationship between innovation and regulation.
Design/methodology/approach
A comprehensive literature review on innovation and environmental regulation created a theoretical foundation of the paper. Using the grounded theory, a model was developed and evaluated using interviews. This is a timely topic as the new shape of recent environmental regulation appears to be fairly strict. A new model is presented to encapsulate highly dynamic interaction of environmental innovation and regulation to provide results that reflect on the present innovation behaviour and its implications.
Findings
The model highlights various diffusion pathways that are triggered by the main three drivers of innovation namely government (regulation), market (competition and cost) and technology which has the possibility of an autonomous diffusion.
Research limitations/implications
The empirical data are limited to 13 qualitative experts' interviews within industry, consultancies and governmental departments.
Practical implications
The suggested model is particularly useful for policy makers to better understand the innovation dynamics and its diffusion pathways to design smarter regulations that incentivise rather than force organisations to comply with regulation.
Originality/value
The paper shows how regulation drives (or not) innovation and how various diffusion pathways can be used by external stakeholders to direct and promote innovation.