CSR in the Global South: The Continuing Impact of Postcolonial Power and Knowledge

Stephen Vertigans ()
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Stephen Vertigans: Robert Gordon University

A chapter in Global Challenges to CSR and Sustainable Development, 2021, pp 67-85 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract Recent years have witnessed a growth in international Corporate Social ResponsibilityCorporate Social Responsibility(CSR) (CSR Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) ) related activities. Analysis of these programmes has tended to focus upon intent and scale of ambition. Despite growing emphasis on stakeholder Stakeholders engagement corporate approaches are continuing to originate from northern hemisphere derived ethicsEthics, governanceGovernance and standardsStandards that are being uncritically applied in the global southGlobal south. By applying insights from postcolonialPostcolonial studies, this paper argues that CSR Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) approaches are both reproducing colonial approaches and northern hemisphere sponsored development Developments programmes that followed independenceIndependence. Consequently, CSR Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) programmes are based upon Northern hemisphere knowledge Knowledges and are reinforcing power Powers differentials within and between regions. The chapter concludes by tentatively proposing how to re-position CSR Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) out of the post-colonial trajectory and towards the delivery of more sustainable improvements. To do so will require the more philanthropicPhilanthropic approach of companies operating in the southern hemisphere (Amaeshi et al., Corporate social responsibility in Nigeria: Western mimicry or indigenous influences? 2006; Frynas, International Affairs, 81:581–598; Kuhn et al., Business and Society 54:1–44, 2015) to become more engaging, strategic and sustainable.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-62501-6_4

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