Corporate Social Responsibility: A Supplier-centered Perspective

Peter Lund-Thomsen*

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

This article develops a supplier-centered approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR) in global value chains (GVCs) by answering the research question: why are suppliers in the Global South that are integrated into GVCs often highly skeptical of CSR? As CSR constitutes a vague and contested term, we undertake a short review of some of the most dominant CSR conceptions that have emerged in the last 20 years. We argue that these CSR definitions are often framed and promoted by key actors in the Global North, the home of many lead firms, in ways that overlook the unique challenges and broader circumstances faced by suppliers and countries in the Global South. We conclude by combining the key considerations of local suppliers in a more consolidated supplier perspective on CSR in GVCs.
Original languageEnglish
JournalEnvironment and Planning A
Volume52
Issue number8
Pages (from-to)1700-1709
Number of pages10
ISSN0308-518X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2020

Bibliographical note

Published online: 30. July 2020

Keywords

  • Corporate social responsibility
  • Global South
  • Global value chains
  • Suppliers

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