CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY IN A COMPARATIVE PERSPECTIVE

The field of comparative CSR, ultimately, addresses a research question of critical practical importance: how best to structure global enterprise to import best practice in CSR in order to produce economic development that is consistent with raising labor standards and 23 encouraging environmental protection? Strike, Gao and Bansal (2006) have produced empirical evidence that clearly states the challenge, by virtue of their findings that international diversification of firms increases both CSR as well as corporate irresponsibility, given the difficulties of managing semi-autonomous subsidiaries in different countries. Further comparative investigations of the respective roles of government; institutional actors such as labor unions, investors and NGOs; and actors within the firm, such as TMTs and employees, are necessary to further our understanding of the differing pressures from consumers, cultures and political entities towards responsible corporate actions. Such research may provide an empirical and theoretical basis for developing policies to encourage CSR and for conceptualizing which kinds of pressures are likely to be effective in encouraging a positive relationship between international businesses and society.