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Partnered governance: aligning corporate responsibility and public policy in the global economy

Atle Midttun (Norwegian School of Management, Oslo, Norway.)

Corporate Governance

ISSN: 1472-0701

Article publication date: 9 August 2008

4137

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to note the remarkable expansion of corporate social responsibility (CSR) throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s. Taking this as point of departure, it aims to discuss the potential for aligning CSR‐oriented industrial self‐regulation with public governance to fill some of the governance gap in the global economy.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a conceptual discussion, empirically underpinned by three case studies.

Findings

The paper finds that it is plausible, and empirically supported by the case studies, to conceive of a considerable role for CSR based self‐regulation in the global economy. A central precondition is the ability of civil society organizations to establish “moral rights” as credible voices for “just causes” in a media‐driven communicative society, and thereby put pressure on brand sensitive industry. The paper finds that corporate self‐regulation may fill a larger part of the governance gap if public policy is oriented to engage with industry in a partnered mode.

Research limitations/implications

The paper establishes a conceptual base for exploring the governance implications of CSR, casuistically underpinned by three case studies. Further studies are needed, however, to explore the scale and scope of partnered governance in the global economy.

Practical implications

The paper provides insights into an approach to increase governability of the global economy.

Originality/value

The originality of the paper lies in exploring the implications of CSR for governance, and for highlighting how the governance potential may be enhanced by reorientation of public policy.

Keywords

Citation

Midttun, A. (2008), "Partnered governance: aligning corporate responsibility and public policy in the global economy", Corporate Governance, Vol. 8 No. 4, pp. 406-418. https://doi.org/10.1108/14720700810899158

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2008, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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