Corporate social responsibility in international development: an overview and critique1

Abstract

Abstract Within the literature focusing on CSR's role in development, three ‘schools of practice’ appear to be emerging: the neo‐liberal school (focused on self‐regulation by industry according to the risks and rewards of CSR activity), the state‐led school (focused on national and international regulation and co‐operation) and the ‘third way’ school (focused on the role of for profit and not‐for‐profit organizations. Yet, each of these schools of practice may be critiqued using theories applicable to the broader field of development. Namely, the neo‐liberal school fails to address the resource misallocations caused by CSR. The state‐led school fails to address the underlying politics behind government encouraged CSR. The ‘third way’ school fails to address the self‐interest involved in CSR. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment.