Reconceptualizing Civil Regulation: Advancing the Sustainability Agenda in Asia

Roberto Martin Galang, Itziar Castello

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    Abstract

    This article re-conceptualizes the notion of civil regulation, through an analysis of 775 projects by firms located in 21 Asian countries, wherein we map the state of civil regulation initiatives in the region. We challenge two established assumptions in the Corporate Social Responsibility literature. First, contrary to what is commonly argued, we claim that strong states in Asia promote civil regulation in what we call the “paradox of the weak state”. Second, we not only argue that civil regulation is mainly enforced by multinational enterprises willing to promote international social and environmental standards; but also that local, small and medium companies play a key role in the development of Asian civil regulation. We call this second finding the “CSR importation
    trap”. Our findings are supported by evidence on the limitations in the interchangeable properties of business and governments. Finally, we argue that, in Asia, governments act as a structuration mechanism which
    challenges the current understanding of CSR.
    Original languageEnglish
    Title of host publicationProceedings of the 53rd Annual Meeting of the Academy of International Business
    EditorsShige Makingo , Tunga Kiyak
    Place of PublicationEast Lansing, MI
    PublisherAcademy of International Business
    Publication date2011
    Pages63
    Publication statusPublished - 2011
    EventAIB 2011 Annual Meeting: International Business for Sustainable World Development - Nagoya, Japan
    Duration: 24 Jun 201128 Jun 2011
    Conference number: 53
    http://aib.msu.edu/events/2011/

    Conference

    ConferenceAIB 2011 Annual Meeting
    Number53
    Country/TerritoryJapan
    CityNagoya
    Period24/06/201128/06/2011
    Internet address
    SeriesAcademy of International Business. Annual Meeting. Proceedings
    Volume53
    ISSN2078-4430

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