Publication Type

Journal Article

Version

acceptedVersion

Publication Date

4-2017

Abstract

International organizations are key players in globalization, but not all international organizations influence global processes in the same ways. In this paper, we argue that differences in international organizations’ mobilizing structures can shape the extent to which these organizations can positively impact the practices of their members. We present the first comparative and quantitative assessment of world corporate social responsibility (CSR) associations that comprise business participants that act collectively to address pressing social and environmental concerns. We conduct time-series panel regression analyses of a unique dataset of business participation in three core world CSR associations and test their effects on business adoption of three major CSR frameworks and business performance across six major CSR evaluation schemes. Our findings reveal that world CSR associations with participatory structures, compared to those with honorific or convocational structures, more consistently encourage member businesses to adopt CSR policies and to achieve highly evaluated CSR practices. We discuss these results in relation to sociological and world society perspectives on international organizations as well as implications for future research on global corporate responsibility.

Discipline

International and Area Studies | Political Science

Research Areas

Political Science

Publication

Social Forces

Volume

95

Issue

4

First Page

1725

Last Page

1756

ISSN

0037-7732

Identifier

10.1093/sf/sox023

Publisher

University of North Carolina Press / Oxford University Press (OUP): Policy E - Oxford Open Option D

Copyright Owner and License

Authors

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1093/sf/sox023

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