Combining CSR and political activities of MNCs through meta-organizations: the case of plastic pollution in emerging countries

Anne Bartel-Radic (), Corentin Gariel () and Thomas Reverdy ()
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Anne Bartel-Radic: CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes, IEPG - Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA - Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes
Corentin Gariel: EESC-GEM Grenoble Ecole de Management, CERAG - Centre d'études et de recherches appliquées à la gestion - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes
Thomas Reverdy: PACTE - Pacte, Laboratoire de sciences sociales - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes - IEPG - Sciences Po Grenoble-UGA - Institut d'études politiques de Grenoble - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble INP - Institut polytechnique de Grenoble - Grenoble Institute of Technology - UGA - Université Grenoble Alpes

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Abstract: This chapter examines how multinational corporations (MNCs) collectively address plastic pollution in emerging economies through meta-organizations. While existing literature highlights the limitations of voluntary corporate action, we analyse how MNCs leverage collective platforms to promote Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and influence regulatory processes. Drawing on five case studies from West Africa and Southeast Asia, we show that subsidiaries of MNCs create meta-organizations that combine corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with political action. At the inter-organizational level, these platforms support a specific form of mandatory regulation that we define as "hybrid." Their effectiveness is contingent on national political dynamics and the involvement of international organizations. We contribute to the literature on political CSR, meta-organizations, and grand challenges by highlighting how firms pursue regulatory solutions through collective structures under conditions of weak governance.

Keywords: Political CSR; Plastic pollution; MNC; Meta-organization; Emerging economies (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026-05-06
Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-05418625v1
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Published in Piekkari, Rebecca; Lundan, Sarianna; Ritvala, Tiina; Harikkala-Laihinen, Riikka; Van Tulder, Rob. Future-Fit: Expanding the Boundaries of International Business Progress in International Business Research, 20B, Emerald Publishing Ltd., pp.19-39, 2026, Progress in international business research, 9781806864362. ⟨10.1108/S1745-88622026000020B002⟩

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:hal:journl:hal-05418625

DOI: 10.1108/S1745-88622026000020B002

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