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Theorising transnational corporations as social actors : An analysis of corporate motivations

Author

Listed:
  • Dana Brown

    (University of Oxford)

  • Antje Vertterlein

    (CBS - Copenhagen Business School [Copenhagen])

  • Anne Roemer-Mahler

    (University of Oxford)

Abstract

An increasing number of firms are engaging in social and environmental initiatives beyond their core business activities. While much has been written about why business should spend resources on social and environmental causes, relatively few studies have systematically addressed the question of why certain companies actually do engage in such activities. A notable exception is literature on the ‘business case' for corporate social responsibility, which argues that good social and environmental performance will positively affect a company's financial results. The evidence on this link, however, is mixed. Even if there is an economic rationale, it is not clear why some companies engage in social activities while others do not. And, why do many more companies today 'see' the business case than in the past? This paper maps out the theoretical terrain exploring this question and categorizes the various existing explanations for corporate social engagement.

Suggested Citation

  • Dana Brown & Antje Vertterlein & Anne Roemer-Mahler, 2010. "Theorising transnational corporations as social actors : An analysis of corporate motivations," Post-Print hal-02312984, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:journl:hal-02312984
    DOI: 10.2202/1469-3569.1302
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    Cited by:

    1. Alvise Favotto & Kelly Kollman, 2021. "Mixing business with politics: Does corporate social responsibility end where lobbying transparency begins?," Regulation & Governance, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 15(2), pages 262-279, April.
    2. Dominik Aaken & Florian Buchner, 2020. "Religion and CSR: a systematic literature review," Journal of Business Economics, Springer, vol. 90(5), pages 917-945, June.
    3. Corrie Mazereeuw-van der Duijn Schouten & Johan Graafland & Muel Kaptein, 2014. "Religiosity, CSR Attitudes, and CSR Behavior: An Empirical Study of Executives’ Religiosity and CSR," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 123(3), pages 437-459, September.
    4. Lindsey M. Bier & Candace L. White, 2021. "Cultural diplomacy as corporate strategy: an analysis of Pasona Group’s “New Tohoku” program in Japan," Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 17(2), pages 180-192, June.
    5. Bor, Sanne & O'Shea, Gregory & Hakala, Henri, 2024. "Scaling sustainable technologies by creating innovation demand-pull: Strategic actions by food producers," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 198(C).
    6. Lindsey M. Bier & Candace L. White, 0. "Cultural diplomacy as corporate strategy: an analysis of Pasona Group’s “New Tohoku” program in Japan," Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 0, pages 1-13.
    7. Chuluunbat Tsendsuren & Prayag Lal Yadav & Sangsoo Kim & Seunghun Han, 2021. "The Effects of Managerial Competency and Local Religiosity on Corporate Environmental Responsibility," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-14, May.
    8. Saghiri, Soroosh Sam & Mirzabeiki, Vahid, 2021. "Buyer-led environmental supplier development: Can suppliers really help it?," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 233(C).
    9. Jette Knudsen, 2013. "The Growth of Private Regulation of Labor Standards in Global Supply Chains: Mission Impossible for Western Small- and Medium-Sized Firms?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 117(2), pages 387-398, October.
    10. Stefan Schaltegger & Jacob Hörisch & Derk Loorbach, 2020. "Corporate and entrepreneurial contributions to sustainability transitions," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 1617-1618, March.
    11. Chuluunbat Tsendsuren & Prayag L. Yadav & Seung Hun Han & Seongjae Mun, 2021. "The effect of corporate environmental responsibility and religiosity on corporate cash holding decisions and profitability: Evidence from the United States' policies for sustainable development," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 29(5), pages 987-1000, September.
    12. Jacob Hörisch & Isabell Wulfsberg & Stefan Schaltegger, 2020. "The influence of feedback and awareness of consequences on the development of corporate sustainability action over time," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 638-650, February.
    13. Johan Graafland & Niels Noorderhaven, 2020. "Technological Competition, Innovation Motive and Corporate Social Responsibility: Evidence from Top Managers of European SMEs," De Economist, Springer, vol. 168(1), pages 1-22, March.
    14. Santos Nicholas J.C. & Laczniak Gene R., 2012. "Marketing to the Base of the Pyramid: A Corporate Responsibility Approach with Case Inspired Strategies," Business and Politics, De Gruyter, vol. 14(1), pages 1-44, April.
    15. Akrum Helfaya & Nasser Fathi Easa, 2022. "Islamic Religiosity and CSR Attitudes—The Case of Egyptian Managers," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-16, September.
    16. Harjoto, Maretno Agus & Rossi, Fabrizio, 2019. "Religiosity, female directors, and corporate social responsibility for Italian listed companies," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 338-346.
    17. Thomas Magnusson & Viktor Werner, 2023. "Conceptualisations of incumbent firms in sustainability transitions: Insights from organisation theory and a systematic literature review," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(2), pages 903-919, February.
    18. Linda Westman & Christopher Luederitz & Aravind Kundurpi & Alexander Julian Mercado & Olaf Weber & Sarah Lynne Burch, 2019. "Conceptualizing businesses as social actors: A framework for understanding sustainability actions in small‐ and medium‐sized enterprises," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 388-402, February.
    19. Zhuo Ban & Xiaohui Pan, 2020. "An analysis of national image communication strategies of Chinese corporations in the context of one-belt-one-road," Place Branding and Public Diplomacy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 16(1), pages 97-106, March.
    20. Brigitte Aoko Odipo & Agnes W. Njeru, 2016. "To Examine the Influence of Market Place as a Factor of Corporate Social Responsibility on Competitive Advantage within Pharmaceutical Companies in Kenya," International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, Human Resource Management Academic Research Society, International Journal of Academic Research in Business and Social Sciences, vol. 6(7), pages 130-141, July.

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