Global value chains, local collective action and corporate social responsibility: A review of empirical evidence

Peter Lund-Thomsen, Khalid Nadvi

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Abstract

A key debate in the corporate social responsibility (CSR) literature is the tension between global pressures and local responses. Developing country suppliers often grumble that CSR compliance adds costs. Yet, local collective action, articulated through industry associations, can potentially reduce costs and promote local embeddedness of CSR initiatives. Through case study analysis, this paper considers how demands for CSR compliance prompted collective action responses in selected developing country export industries. We argue that differences in collective responses can be partially explained by how local export industries are inserted into global value chains. We distinguish between 'highly visible' value chains, led by internationally well known brands as lead firms, and relatively 'less visible' chains, where external CSR pressures come from a variety of sources, including less dominant lead firms, international/national regulatory frameworks and national media. This differentiation suggests a possible trade-off between the independence and the embeddedness of collective CSR initiatives. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages12
JournalBusiness Strategy and the Environment
Volume19
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2010

Keywords

  • Collective action
  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Developing countries
  • Global value chains
  • Industrial associations
  • Industrial clusters

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Global Development Institute

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