Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Business-Conflict Linkages: Revisiting MNCs, CSR, and Conflict

  • Published:
Journal of Business Ethics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Heightened interest in business-conflict linkages has materialized with the advent of globalization and the rise of multinational corporations (MNCs). We examine business-conflict linkages in this article both theoretically and empirically. Theoretically, we examine three streams of the relevant academic literature: the academic business and society literature, the practitioner business and society literature, and the international business political behavior literature and argue that there is room and indeed need for their cross fertilization and integration in research on business-conflict linkages. We then consolidate the three streams into a matrix that reconciles relevant dimen- sions and which can serve as a typology of intervention strategies of business firms in conflict zones. Empirically, the article makes use of the integrative matrix in the context of an interpretive research methodology to examine the perceptions and behavioral orientations of a sample of MNCs in Lebanon in an actual conflict context.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Adler, N. 2008. Global Business As An Agent of Change: New International Business Perspectives Leading Positive Change. In A. Scherer and G. Palazzo (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Global Citizenship: 374-401. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Andriof, J. and McIntosh, M. 2001. Introduction. In J. Andriof, and M. McIntosh (Eds.), Perspectives on Corporate Citizenship: 13-24. Sheffield: Greenleaf.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ballentine, K.: 2004, The Role of the Private Sector in Conflict Prevention: Progress, Prospects and Challenges. Address to the UN Global Compact Policy Dialogue on the Role of the Private Sector in Conflict Prevention and Peace Building, Colombia, 27–28 May, 2004

  • Ballentine, K. and Nitzschke, H. 2004. Business and Armed Conflict: An Assessment of Issues and Options. International Peace Academy, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Banfield, J., Haufler, V. and Lilly, D. 2003. Transnational Corporations in Conflict Prone Zones: Public Policy Responses and a Framework for Action. International Alert, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baron, D. 1995. Integrated Strategy: Market and Non-market Components. California Management Review, 37(3): 47-65.

    Google Scholar 

  • Baysinger, B. 1984. Domain Maintenance as an Objective of Business Political Activity: An Expanded Typology. Academy of Management Review, 9: 248-258.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bennett, J.: 2001, ‘Business in Zones of Conflict: The Role of the Multinational in Promoting Regional Stability’, UN Global Compact Policy Dialogues

  • Bennett, J. 2002. Multinational Corporations, Social Responsibility and Conflict. Journal of International Affairs, 55(2): 393-410.

    Google Scholar 

  • Berman, J. 2000. Boardrooms and Bombs: Strategies of Multinational Corporations in Conflict Areas. Harvard International Review, 22(3): 28-32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boddewyn, J.: 1988, ‘Political Aspects of MNE Theory’, Journal of International Business Studies 19(3), 341–363

    Google Scholar 

  • Boddewyn, J. and Brewer, T. 1994. International Business Political Behavior: New Theoretical Directions. Academy of Management Review, 19(1): 119-143.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A. 2001. Fueling Conflict or Financing Peace and Development. Carleton University, Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Campbell, A. 2002. The Private Sector and Conflict Mainstreaming. Carleton University, Ottawa.

    Google Scholar 

  • Economist Intelligence Unit: 2007, Country Profile 2007 – Lebanon (the Economist Intelligence Unit, London)

  • Eweje, G. 2006. The Role of MNEs in Community Development Initiatives in Developing Countries. Business & Society, 45(2): 93-129.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman, M.: 1970, ‘The Social Responsibility of Business is to Increase Its Profits’, The New York Times Magazine, September 13

  • Gerson, A. 2001. Peace Building: The Private Sector’s Role. The American Journal of International Law, 95(1): 102-119.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gladwin, T. and Walter, I. 1980. How Multinationals Can Manage Social and Political Forces. Journal of Business Strategy, 1(1): 54-68.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goulbourne, T. 2003. Corporate Social Responsibility: The Business Case. Carleton University, Canada.

    Google Scholar 

  • Habisch, A. and Jonker, J. 2005. Introduction. In A. Habisch, J. Jonker, M. Wegner, and R. Schmidpeter, (Eds.): Corporate Social Responsibility Across Europe: 1-13. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Haufler, V. 1997. Dangerous Commerce: Insurance and the Management of International Risk. Cornell University Press, Ithaca.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hillman, A. and Hitt, M. 1999. Corporate Political Strategy Formulation: A Model of Approach Participation and Strategy Decisions. Academy of Management Review, 24(4): 825-842.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jamali, D. and Mirshak, R. 2007. Corporate Social Responsibility: Theory and Practice in a Developing Country Context. Journal of Business Ethics, 72: 243-262.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, M. 2002. Value Maximization, Stakeholder Theory and the Corporate Objective Function. Business Ethics Quarterly, 12: 235-356.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kaldor, M. 2001. New and Old Wars, Organized Violence in a Global Era. Polity Press, Cambridge.

    Google Scholar 

  • Koerber, C. and Fort, T. 2008. Corporate Citizenship and Global Conflicts: The Baboon Moment. In A. Scherer and G. Palazzo (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Global Citizenship: 208-221. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Korten, D. 2001. When Corporations Rule the World. San Francisco: Berret-Koehler.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luetkenhorst, W. 2004. Corporate Social Responsibility and the Development Agenda. Intereconomics 39(3): 157-168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y. 2006. Political Behavior, Social Responsibility and Perceived Corruption: A Structuration Approach. Journal of International Business Studies, 37: 747-766.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Margolis, J. and Walsh J. 2001. People and Profits? The Search for a Link between a Company’s Social and Financial Performance. Lawrence Erlbaum: NJ.

    Google Scholar 

  • Matten, D. and Crane, A. 2005. Corporate Citizenship: Toward an Extended Theoretical Conceptualisation. Academy of Management Review, 30(1): 166-179.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehmet, O. 1999. Westernizing the Third World: Eurocentricity of Economic Development Theories (2nd Ed.). Routledge Books, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mohan, A. 2006. Global Corporate Social Responsibilities Management in MNCs. Journal of Business Strategies, 23(1): 9-32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nelson, J. 2000. The Business of Peace: the Private Sector as a Partner in Conflict Prevention and Resolution. The Prince of Whales Business Leaders Forum & International Alert, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oberman, W. 1993. Strategy and Tactic Choice in an Institutional Resource Context. In B. Mittnick, (Ed.). Corporate Political Agency, Sage, Newbury Park, California.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oetzel, J., Getz, K. and Ladek, S. 2007. The Role of Multinational Enterprises in Responding to Violent Conflict: A Conceptual Model and Framework for Research. American Business Law Journal, 44(2): 331-358.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palazzo, G. and Scherer, A. 2006. Corporate Legitimacy As Deliberation: A Communicative Framework. Journal of Business Ethics, 66: 71-88.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Palazzo, G. and Scherer, A. 2008. The Future of Global Corporate Citizenship: Toward a New Theory of the Firm as a Political Actor. In A. Scherer and G. Palazzo (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Global Citizenship: 577-590. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar.

    Google Scholar 

  • Patton, M. 2002. Qualitative Research & Evaluation Methods (3 rd edition). Sage Publications: London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Scherer, A. and Palazzo, M. 2008. Globalization and Corporate Social Responsibility. In A. Crane, A. McWilliams, D. Matten, J. Moon, and D. Siegel (Eds), The Oxford Handbook of Corporate Social Responsibility. New York: Oxford University Press, pp. 413-431

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Schouten, E. 2007. Defining the Corporate Social Responsibility of Business from International Law. Managerial Law, 49, 1-2, 16-36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Snider, J., Hill, R.P. and Martin, D. 2003. Corporate Social Responsibility in the 21st Century: A View from the World’s Most Successful Firms. Journal of Business Ethics, 48: 175-187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Solomon, R.C. 1994. The New World of Business: Ethics and Free Enterprise in the Global Nineties. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers Inc., USA.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strauss, A. 1990. Qualitative Analysis for Social Scientists. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge Massachussets.

    Google Scholar 

  • Strike, V. M., Gao, J., Bansal, P. 2006. Being Good While Being Bad: Social Responsibility and the Diversification of US Firms. Journal of International Business Studies, 37: 850-862.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Switzer, J. and H. Ward: 2004, ‘Enabling Corporate Investment in Peace: An Assessment of Voluntary Initiatives Addressing Business and Violent Conflict, and a Framework for Policy Decision-Making’, Discussion Paper Prepared for Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Canada

  • UN Secretary General: 2004, Press Release SG/SM/9256, SC/8059, 15 April 2004

  • Walsh, J., Weber, K, and Margolis, J. 2003. Social Issues and Management: Our Lost Cause Found. Journal of Management, 29: 859-881.

    Google Scholar 

  • Warhurst, A. 2005. Future Roles of Business in Society: the Expanding Boundaries of Corporate Responsibility and a Compelling Case for Partnership. Futures, 37: 151-168.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weidenbaum, M. 1980. Public Policy: No Longer a Spectator Sport for Business. Journal of Business Strategy, 3(4): 693-712.

    Google Scholar 

  • Willke, H. and Willke, G. 2008. The Corporation as a Political Actor? A Systems Theory Perspective. In A. Scherer and G. Palazzo (Eds.), Handbook of Research on Global Citizenship. Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, pp. 552-574

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, D., Deitelhoff, N. and Engert, E. 2007. Corporate Security Responsibility: Towards a Conceptual Framework for a Comparative Research Agenda. Cooperation and Conflict. Journal of the Nordic International Studies Association, 42(3): 294-320.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dima Jamali.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Jamali, D., Mirshak, R. Business-Conflict Linkages: Revisiting MNCs, CSR, and Conflict. J Bus Ethics 93, 443–464 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0232-8

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-009-0232-8

Key words

Navigation