Journal Article

Institutional Dynamics and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in an Emerging Country Context: Evidence from China

Zhang, Yuli, Yin, Juelin

2012

Overview

This study identifies unique corporate social responsibility (CSR) dimensions and develops a framework to analyze different levels of institutional dynamics in understanding CSR in China. Based on multiple case studies of 16 firms, the article examines the CSR philosophy and approach in China's emerging market. The findings suggest that Chinese CSR understanding is largely grounded in the context of ethical and discretionary actions. This focus is mainly attributed to the dominant role of ethical leadership, governmental dependency, and cultural traditions in Chinese CSR. Moreover, the weakness or the absence of conducive social normative environment and positive peer pressure, and misalignment between CSR and organizational design further contribute to a lack of systemic and institutionalized approach to CSR in China. Our study implies that CSR is still evolving at a preliminary stage in China, and institutional infrastructure and cultural ethics are exerting abiding influence on CSR approach in the emerging economies. The article also suggests the implications for practice and policy making.

• Publisher: Springer,Springer Netherlands,Springer Nature B.V
• Subject: Business and Management / Business Ethics / Business structures / Case studies / China / China (People's Republic) / Chinese culture / Consumer goods industries / Corporate responsibility / Corporate Social Responsibility / Cultural change / Cultural factors / Cultural tradition / Dependency / Developing countries / Dynamics / Education / Emerging markets / Ethics / Global corporations / Globalization / GNP / Government / Gross National Product / Infrastructure / Institutioneller Wandel / International organizations / LDCs / Leadership / Management / Moons / Nationalkultur / Peer influence / Peer pressure / Philosophy / Policy making / Professional ethics / Quality of Life Research / Schwellenländer / Social dynamics / Social ethics / Social responsibility / Social responsibility of business / Social systems / Stockholders / Strength / Studies / Supply chain management / Tradition / Traditions / Wirtschaftsethik / Work environment