Call for papers: Corporate Social Responsibility in the Global Economy

Call for papers: Corporate Social Responsibility in the Global Economy

A special issue of European Journal of International Management

The concept and practice of corporate social responsibility (CSR) at the international level has evolved in a relatively short period of time, yet a wide array of actors and organisations have emerged that have, in turn, brought about many issues and strategies. Cumulatively, the contemporary milieu of CSR holds significant promises but also considerable challenges.

Corporate stakeholders – established and new – have attempted to restructure corporate decision making and force more socially responsible business organisations. Shareholder activists have made efforts to influence corporate strategies in different ways. Non-governmental organisations have entered the business arena with multiple strategies to influence corporate behaviour. Consumers, who potentially hold powerful influence over corporate success, have played only occasional roles in CSR. The role of the state is seen as both facilitator and regulator with regard to international corporate behaviour.

Many strategies and issues have been posed in the broad area of corporate social responsibility and have now reached a kind of plateau in development. Numerous international standard-setting strategies, for example, have been advanced yet concurrence among participants seems distant. The nature and type of stakeholders important in decision-making is being challenged. While business has responded to many of the demands brought about by concerns over socially responsible business, the demand for more change is still sought and will likely not go away. Overall, the nature of business is being challenged, thus encouraging the development of new value-creation objectives for firms.

The aim of this special issue is to capture the current state of corporate social responsibility around the globe, applying unique perspectives and analyses. Qualitative and quantitative approaches are encouraged. Papers also should point to the future of corporate social responsibility with particular emphasis on how best to advance the arguments, methods, and effectiveness of CSR. Advancement of CSR effectiveness also includes linkages to other fields of business management research.

Examples of topics appropriate to the theme of corporate social responsibility include, but are not limited to:

• The language and rhetoric of corporate social responsibility
• The role of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in CSR, with implications for effective stakeholder involvement
• The role of consumers in CSR
• Multinational corporations and the recognition of human rights
• The role of CSR in the reduction of conflict and of overall uncertainty in the geopolitical business environment
• Corporate-state interface in CSR, with emphasis on roles and implications of roles
• Social responsibility as management and decision-making tools
• Corporate codes of conduct - their usefulness and effectiveness
• CSR as a marketing tool with implications for effectiveness
• Setting international standards of corporate behaviour - who sets them, how are they enforced?
• Corporate accountability - voluntary compliance or legal enforcement?
• Whither the role of SMEs in corporate social responsibility?
• CSR and organisational change - organisational behaviour, strategy and development
• The strategy and policy implications of corporate philanthropy
• Assessments of major regional and cultural entities in Europe, North America, Asia, Africa, South America
• Assessments of developed countries vis-a-vis developing countries regarding CSR
• Maintaining effective CSR strategies in supply chain management
• Integrating sustainability (social, environmental, economic) with profit- making

Important Dates
Draft submission deadline: 1 November, 2008
Final paper submission deadline: 15 February, 2009