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Rhetorical Construction of Narcissistic CSR Orientation

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  • Kirsti Iivonen
  • Johanna Moisander

Abstract

This paper takes a critical perspective on corporate social responsibility (CSR) and examines the ways in which an industry organization discursively manages the relationship between the industry and its stakeholders in a situation where the legitimacy of the industry is called into question. Drawing on the literature on organizational narcissism and sensemaking the paper develops the construct of narcissistic CSR orientation and empirically elaborates on three defensive rhetorical strategies through which the organization makes sense of the accountability and responsibility of the industry for the negative societal effects of their business. The paper advances knowledge in the field of critical CSR by proposing a new framework for critically examining organization-stakeholder relationships and organizational responses to stakeholder demands in contexts where the interests of organizations are in conflict with the public good. Copyright Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht 2015

Suggested Citation

  • Kirsti Iivonen & Johanna Moisander, 2015. "Rhetorical Construction of Narcissistic CSR Orientation," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 131(3), pages 649-664, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:131:y:2015:i:3:p:649-664
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-014-2298-1
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    Cited by:

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    4. Li, Haitao & Chen, Chialin & Cook, Wade D. & Zhang, Jinlong & Zhu, Joe, 2018. "Two-stage network DEA: Who is the leader?," Omega, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 15-19.
    5. Anglin, Aaron H. & Wolfe, Marcus T. & Short, Jeremy C. & McKenny, Aaron F. & Pidduck, Robert J., 2018. "Narcissistic rhetoric and crowdfunding performance: A social role theory perspective," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 33(6), pages 780-812.
    6. François Maon & Valérie Swaen & Kenneth de Roeck, 2021. "Coporate branding and corporate social responsibility: Toward a multi-stakeholder interpretive perspective," Post-Print hal-03275858, HAL.
    7. Linda Jansen & Peggy Cunningham & Sandra Diehl & Ralf Terlutter, 2024. "Corporate social responsibility in controversial industries: A literature review and research agenda," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 31(5), pages 4398-4427, September.
    8. Richter, Ulf Henning & Shirodkar, Vikrant & Shete, Namita, 2021. "Firm-level indicators of instrumental and political CSR processes – A multiple case study," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 39(2), pages 279-290.
    9. Zhengxin Zhang & Bing Xu & Piao Li, 2023. "What affects the quality of sustainability report texts? Evidence from China," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 30(3), pages 1440-1456, May.

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