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Can Technological Innovations Improve Private Regulation in the Global Economy?

Author

Listed:
  • Auld Graeme

    (Carleton University)

  • Cashore Benjamin

    (Yale University)

  • Balboa Cristina

    (Baruch College, City University of New York)

  • Bozzi Laura

    (Yale University)

  • Renckens Stefan

    (Yale University)

Abstract

Those supplying private regulation in the global economy face two fundamental challenges if they are to ameliorate the problems for which they create these systems: targets must conform to, while demanders must have proof of, regulatory compliance. This paper explores an important area absent from assessments as to whether, when, and how, private regulatory bodies are successful in improving behavior and rewarding compliant firms: the role of technological innovations. Employing an inductive, comparative case study analysis, we offer an analytical framework that distinguishes technological innovations that improve tracking mechanisms from innovations that directly improve on-the-ground performance. We illustrate the utility of the analytical framework through an assessment of technological innovations in shaping "non-state market driven" global certification programs governing forestry, fisheries, coffee, e-waste, and climate.

Suggested Citation

  • Auld Graeme & Cashore Benjamin & Balboa Cristina & Bozzi Laura & Renckens Stefan, 2010. "Can Technological Innovations Improve Private Regulation in the Global Economy?," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(3), pages 1-42, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:buspol:v:12:y:2010:i:3:n:9
    DOI: 10.2202/1469-3569.1323
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Fred Gale & Francisco Ascui & Heather Lovell, 2017. "Sensing Reality? New Monitoring Technologies for Global Sustainability Standards," Global Environmental Politics, MIT Press, vol. 17(2), pages 65-83, May.
    2. Kevan W. Lamm & Lauren Pike & Lauren Griffeth & Jiyea Park & Andrews Idun, 2023. "Critical Issues Facing the Agriculture, Forestry, and Natural Resources Industries in the State of Georgia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-12, June.
    3. Cashore, Benjamin & Stone, Michael W., 2012. "Can legality verification rescue global forest governance?," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 18(C), pages 13-22.
    4. Nicolas Schmid & Leonore Haelg & Sebastian Sewerin & Tobias S. Schmidt & Irina Simmen, 2021. "Governing complex societal problems: The impact of private on public regulation through technological change," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(3), pages 840-855, July.
    5. Büthe Tim, 2010. "Private Regulation in the Global Economy: A (P)Review," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(3), pages 1-40, October.
    6. Christine Overdevest & Jonathan Zeitlin, 2014. "Assembling an experimentalist regime: Transnational governance interactions in the forest sector," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 22-48, March.
    7. Pavel Castka & Cory Searcy & Sönke Fischer, 2020. "Technology-enhanced Auditing in Voluntary Sustainability Standards: The Impact of COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-24, June.
    8. Lars H. Gulbrandsen, 2014. "Dynamic governance interactions: Evolutionary effects of state responses to non‐state certification programs," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 74-92, March.
    9. Tim Bartley, 2014. "Transnational governance and the re‐centered state: Sustainability or legality?," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 93-109, March.
    10. Büthe Tim, 2010. "Global Private Politics: A Research Agenda," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(3), pages 1-26, October.
    11. Wenlong He & Wei Yang & Seong-jin Choi, 2018. "The Interplay Between Private and Public Regulations: Evidence from ISO 14001 Adoption Among Chinese Firms," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 152(2), pages 477-497, October.
    12. Peter Grabosky, 2013. "Beyond Responsive Regulation: The expanding role of non‐state actors in the regulatory process," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 7(1), pages 114-123, March.
    13. Benjamin Cashore & Michael W. Stone, 2014. "Does California need Delaware? Explaining Indonesian, Chinese, and United States support for legality compliance of internationally traded products," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 8(1), pages 49-73, March.
    14. Campbell-Verduyn Malcolm, 2016. "Merely TINCering around: the shifting private authority of technology, information and news corporations," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 18(2), pages 143-170, August.
    15. Mayer Frederick & Gereffi Gary, 2010. "Regulation and Economic Globalization: Prospects and Limits of Private Governance," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 12(3), pages 1-27, October.

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