Globalization, corporate social responsibility and poverty

Jenkins, Rhys O. J. (2005) Globalization, corporate social responsibility and poverty. International Affairs, 81 (3). pp. 525-540. ISSN 0020-5850

Full text not available from this repository. (Request a copy)

Abstract

Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has become a major focus of interest for development practitioners in recent years. While development NGOs have been critical of voluntary corporate initiatives, official development agencies have taken a more positive view and in some cases encouraged CSR. This article locates the growth of CSR in the context of global deregulation since the early 1980s, highlighting the key drivers that have led to its adoption by many leading transnational corporations. It then describes the factors that have led to the recent emphasis given to CSR by both bilateral and multilateral development agencies and the United Nations. A framework for analysing the links between foreign direct investment and poverty is developed focusing on the impacts on the poor as producers, consumers and beneficiaries of government expenditures. This framework is used to illustrate the limitations of CSR in terms of likely impacts on poverty reduction through each of the channels identified and also to point to areas in which CSR may have some positive benefits. Overall, the article concludes that it is unlikely to play the significant role in poverty reduction in development countries that its proponents claim for it.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: sdg 12 - responsible consumption and production ,/dk/atira/pure/sustainabledevelopmentgoals/responsible_consumption_and_production
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences > School of Global Development (formerly School of International Development)
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Globalisation and CSR
Depositing User: Vishal Gautam
Date Deposited: 01 May 2005
Last Modified: 01 Mar 2023 10:30
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/16500
DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2346.2005.00467.x

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item