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3 - CSR and a Capabilities Approach to Development: CSR Laws as an Allocative Device?

from Part I - Institutions, CSR Conceptualizations and Sustainable Development

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 December 2019

By
Adaeze Okoye
Edited by
Onyeka Osuji ,
Franklin N. Ngwu  and
Dima Jamali
Onyeka Osuji
Affiliation:
University of Essex
Franklin N. Ngwu
Affiliation:
Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria
Dima Jamali
Affiliation:
American University of Beirut
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Summary

This chapter examines whether the CSR concept and its emerging legal framework can become an allocative device allocating responsibility for certain aspects of development to business and channelling business conduct on development issues. CSR is a concept which often captures dimensions of the relationship between business and society in context. On the one hand, it covers aspects which focus on the mitigation of corporate impacts on a range of issues including environment, health, labour, human rights and corruption. On the other hand, it also covers the ability of corporations to contribute constructively to societal objectives in the above areas and beyond. Consequently, in a developing country context, CSR could be invariably linked to some development objectives such as optimal health, well-being, education, jobs etc…, because these objectives form the bedrock of capabilities which the individuals in these societies would like to achieve. Sen’s capabilities conception of development permits the consideration of institutions and frameworks including legal mechanisms geared towards human development objectives. Human development objectives also have a bearing on wider sustainable development goals. The chapter examines examples of emerging legal frameworks to reveal the potential and limitations of this perspective, which indicates how CSR can contribute to development.

Keywords

Corporate Social ResponsibilityCapabilities ApproachDeveloping CountriesDevelopmentHuman DevelopmentInstitutions
Type
Chapter
Information
Corporate Social Responsibility in Developing and Emerging Markets
Institutions, Actors and Sustainable Development
 , pp. 31 - 48
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2019

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