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Sharing the Shared Value: A Transaction Cost Perspective on Strategic CSR Policies in Global Value Chains

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Abstract

This paper explores the conditions favouring or inhibiting the implementation of strategic corporate social responsibility (CSR) policies in the context of global value chains (GVCs). Using transaction cost theory (TCT), we specify the economic and behavioural issues raised by strategic CSR policies. We show that the existence of market rewards for such policies does not constitute a solution per se, but tends to increase the difficulties that value chain members face. Bringing TCT into the analysis of the diffusion of strategic CSR policies in GVCs helps us to make different contributions. We first theoretically identify some limiting conditions of strategic CSR policies in GVCs. We also contribute to developing a more robust theoretical perspective for CSR in GVC research, which remains underdeveloped and mostly driven by empirical case studies. Finally, we shed light on new research questions and topics that could guide major theoretical and empirical investigations in the capacity of GVCs members to bypass the numerous difficulties involved in the implementation of strategic CSR policies.

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Abbreviations

CSR:

Corporate social responsibility

GVC:

Global value chain

MSI:

Multi-stakeholder initiative

NGO:

Non-governmental Organisation

TCT:

Transaction cost theory

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. ESCP Europe, Paris, France

    Aurélien Acquier

  2. CRCGM, Ecole Universitaire de Management, Clermont-Ferrand, France

    Bertrand Valiorgue

  3. Grenoble Ecole de Management, Grenoble, France

    Thibault Daudigeos

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  1. Aurélien Acquier
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  2. Bertrand Valiorgue
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  3. Thibault Daudigeos
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Correspondence to Bertrand Valiorgue.

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We sincerely thank the Editor Adam Lindgreen and the two anonymous reviewers for their insightful reviews and comments which have helped us to improve the paper.

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Acquier, A., Valiorgue, B. & Daudigeos, T. Sharing the Shared Value: A Transaction Cost Perspective on Strategic CSR Policies in Global Value Chains. J Bus Ethics 144, 139–152 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-015-2820-0

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