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Symbolic politics in environmental regulation: corporate strategic responses

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  • Dirk Matten

Abstract

Though not entirely new in political science in general, the concept of symbolic politics (SP) currently meets a vivid reception in law and economics. Yet little attention has been paid to SP from a business perspective. Elements of SP are found in nearly all fields of environmental legislation, and the paper will focus on those empirical examples that have a particular effect on markets, the competitive situation of businesses and corporate strategies in general. The consequences of SP for companies are analysed from two different perspectives. First, business will be seen as an addressee of SP. Specific corporate consequences and reactions are discussed. Second, corporations can be regarded as users of SP, as they assume increasingly a role as political actors themselves. This results from certain developments in environmental regulation as well as from the fact that globalization increasingly weakens national governments and their political power, while at the same time corporate actors assume more influence and responsibility. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.

Suggested Citation

  • Dirk Matten, 2003. "Symbolic politics in environmental regulation: corporate strategic responses," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(4), pages 215-226, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:bstrat:v:12:y:2003:i:4:p:215-226
    DOI: 10.1002/bse.363
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Richard Tapper, 1997. "Voluntary agreements for environmental performance improvement: perspectives on the chemical industry's responsible care programme," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 6(5), pages 287-292, November.
    2. George J. Stigler, 1971. "The Theory of Economic Regulation," Bell Journal of Economics, The RAND Corporation, vol. 2(1), pages 3-21, Spring.
    3. Rondinelli, Dennis & Vastag, Gyula, 2000. "Panacea, common sense, or just a label?: The value of ISO 14001 environmental management systems," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 18(5), pages 499-510, October.
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    1. Ann Hansford & John Hasseldine & Thérèse Woodward, 2004. "The UK climate change levy: good intentions but potentially damaging to business," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(4), pages 196-210, December.
    2. Stefan Seuring, 2004. "Industrial ecology, life cycles, supply chains: differences and interrelations," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(5), pages 306-319, September.
    3. Tarja Ketola, 2004. "Eco‐psychological profiling: an oil company example," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 11(3), pages 150-166, September.
    4. Kenneth Amaeshi & Olufemi Amao, 2009. "Corporate Social Responsibility in Transnational Spaces: Exploring Influences of Varieties of Capitalism on Expressions of Corporate Codes of Conduct in Nigeria," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 86(2), pages 225-239, March.
    5. Frances Bowen, 2019. "Marking Their Own Homework: The Pragmatic and Moral Legitimacy of Industry Self-Regulation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 156(1), pages 257-272, April.
    6. Patrick Erwin, 2011. "Corporate Codes of Conduct: The Effects of Code Content and Quality on Ethical Performance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 99(4), pages 535-548, April.
    7. Jana Kozáková & Mária Urbánová & Radovan Savov, 2021. "Factors Influencing the Extent of the Ethical Codes: Evidence from Slovakia," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-18, January.

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