Corporate (Social) Responsibility under Authoritarianism

Interpretation, Communication, and Implementation in China
1. Auflage 2025
ISBN: 978-1-041-03065-2
Verlag: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Buch, Englisch, 172 Seiten, Format (B × H): 156 mm x 234 mm

Reihe: Routledge Advances in Management and Business Studies

This book provides an in-depth exploration of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the authoritarian context. It challenges prevailing CSR frameworks, which largely derive from liberal democratic contexts and overlook how political institutions shape the conceptualisation and practice of corporate responsibility. By situating CSR within China’s political-economic system, the book sheds light on how CSR is dynamically interpreted, strategically communicated, and selectively implemented by corporate and state actors.

Drawing on a mixed-method research design, the study analyses both qualitative and quantitative evidence. The analysis integrates policy documents, regulatory frameworks, CSR and sustainability reports from Chinese corporations, and in-depth qualitative interviews with corporate managers, NGO leaders, and experts. The findings highlight how CSR in China emerges through the normative interplay between market logics and power politics, involving various actors including enterprises, state entities, and NGOs. The book also presents a critical account of how Chinese companies strategically adapt CSR discourses to align with governmental priorities while navigating complex stakeholder relationships.

A book of vital interest to researchers in business ethics, international business and Asian studies, it will also appeal to practitioners and policymakers seeking to enhance strategies and policies for responsible business conduct.

Zielgruppe

Postgraduate

Autoren/Hrsg.

Kang, Xu

Fachgebiete

• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Betriebswirtschaft Unternehmensorganisation, Corporate Responsibility Unternehmenskultur, Corporate Governance
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Volkswirtschaftslehre Wirtschaftspolitik, politische Ökonomie
• Sozialwissenschaften Politikwissenschaft Regierungspolitik Wirtschafts- und Finanzpolitik
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Betriebswirtschaft Unternehmensorganisation, Corporate Responsibility Unternehmensethik
• Wirtschaftswissenschaften Wirtschaftswissenschaften Unternehmensgeschichte, Einzelne Branchen und Unternehmer

Inhaltsverzeichnis

List of Figures and Tables

Abbreviations

Chapter 1 Introduction

1.1 CSR in Authoritarian Contexts

1.2 Research Method

Chapter 2 Polymorphous Corporate (Social) Responsibility in the Business–State–Society Relations

2.1 The Emergence of CSR in the Context of the State Retreat

2.2 The Conceptualisation and Operationalisation of CSR

2.2.1 Evolving Historical Foundations

2.2.2 Late 20th Century: Defining and Operationalising CSR

2.2.3 2000s and Beyond: Strategic CSR and Globalisation

2.3 Institutionalising CSR on the Global Stage

2.3.1 Towards Business and Human Rights Amidst the State Return

2.4 From Soft Law to Hard Law: Recasting the State’s Role in CSR Governance

Chapter 3 Contextualising Authoritarian State: China’s Authoritarian Capitalism and Corporate (Social) Responsibility

3.1 Critical State Concept and the Analytical Toolkit

3.1.1 From Pluralism to Elite and Structuralist Theories

3.1.2 Post-Structuralist Interventions and Strategic-Relational Approach

3.2 Constructing the Authoritarian State

3.3 China’s Contemporary Authoritarian Capitalism

3.4 The Evolution of Business-State-Society Relations and CSR in China

3.4.1 Late Qing Dynasty to Republic of China

3.4.2 Founding of the People’s Republic of China to the Cultural Revolution

3.4.3 Post-Reform and Opening Up Era

Chapter 4 CSR Interpretation: Symbiosis of Market Supremacy and Power Politics

4.1 Discourse on Market Supremacy

4.2 Discourse on Power Politics

4.3 Polymorphous Discourse Interplay Amidst Market and Authoritarian Power Politics

Chapter 5 CSR Communication: In Clinging and Pursuit of Capital and Power

5.1 Selective Communication: Chinese Corporate Governance for CSR

5.1.1 Decision-Making Level Priorities and Shareholder Communication

5.1.2 Operational Level Discrepancies and Supplier Communication

5.2 Navigating Up and Down: Actors Alongside the Social Relation of the State

5.2.1 GONGOs as Mediators Between State and Corporate

5.2.2 Strategic Adaptation of NGOs in Power Dynamics

5.2.3 State Control, Business Lobbying, and Social Advocacy under Authoritarian capitalism

Chapter 6 CSR Implementation: (Ir)responsible Business Conduct under Authoritarian Capitalism

6.1 Greenwashing vs. Value Chain Compliance

6.2 Dual Facets of Redwashing

6.3 CSR Implementation Amidst Authoritarian Capitalist Realities

Chapter 7 Conclusion

7.1 Understanding the Recent Business and Human Rights Development in China

7.2 Whither CSR under Authoritarianism?

Reference

Über Autor(innen)

Xu Kang is researcher at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and currently serves as an Ernst Mach Fellow at Vienna University of Economics and Business. His research focuses on responsible business conduct, corporate social responsibility, business and human rights, and sustainability governance.