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The United Nations Global Compact: Engaging Implicit and Explicit CSR for Global Governance

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  • Jill A. Brown

    (Bentley University)

  • Cynthia Clark

    (Bentley University)

  • Anthony F. Buono

    (Bentley University)

Abstract

This article analyzes the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) under the conceptual framework of explicit versus implicit corporate social responsibility (CSR) to better understand the operational and governance challenges behind this voluntary global initiative. Using institutional logics theory, we show how the UNGC is a practice that embodies seemingly competing logics. We suggest mechanisms to facilitate the interplay of implicit/explicit CSR and the co-existence of logics that might allow the UNGC to move forward while addressing its critics. We argue that failure to conceptualize the UNGC as a combination of explicit and implicit CSR leaves the UNGC subject to criticism that might be better directed toward organizations that fail to practice explicit CSR. While viewing the UNGC through an integrated CSR framework may not immediately reconcile its critics and proponents, combining elements of both may provide opportunities to posit collaborative solutions to improve the quality, outcome, and legitimacy of UNGC initiatives.

Suggested Citation

  • Jill A. Brown & Cynthia Clark & Anthony F. Buono, 2018. "The United Nations Global Compact: Engaging Implicit and Explicit CSR for Global Governance," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 147(4), pages 721-734, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jbuset:v:147:y:2018:i:4:d:10.1007_s10551-016-3382-5
    DOI: 10.1007/s10551-016-3382-5
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    Cited by:

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    3. Jennifer Martínez-Ferrero & Mehmet Eryilmaz & Nese Colakoglu, 2020. "How Does Board Gender Diversity Influence the Likelihood of Becoming a UN Global Compact Signatory? The Mediating Effect of the CSR Committee," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(10), pages 1-19, May.
    4. Giorgia Miotto & Marc Polo López & Josep Rom Rodríguez, 2019. "Gender Equality and UN Sustainable Development Goals: Priorities and Correlations in the Top Business Schools’ Communication and Legitimation Strategies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(2), pages 1-18, January.
    5. Ismail N.B. & Sébastien Alcouffe & Galy N & Ceulemans K, 2020. "The impact of international sustainability initiatives on Life Cycle Assessment voluntary disclosures: The case of France’s CAC40 listed companies," Post-Print hal-03082800, HAL.
    6. Kurt, YeÅŸim, 2021. "Diffusion of the Airport Health Accreditation Program in the COVID-19 period: An Assessment with Institutional Logic And Legitimacy Approach," Journal of Air Transport Management, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    7. Sarah Margaretha Jastram & Alkis Henri Otto & Tatjana Minulla, 2023. "Diverse Organizational Adoption of Institutions in the Field of Corporate Social Responsibility," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 183(4), pages 1073-1088, April.
    8. Francesca Conte & Agostino Vollero & Claudia Covucci & Alfonso Siano, 2020. "Corporate social responsibility penetration, explicitness, and symbolic communication practices in Asia: A national business system exploration of leading firms in sustainability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3), pages 1425-1435, May.

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