Re-thinking corporate social responsibility: Applying corporate social responsibility to adress the social, economic, and environmental effects of trade led growth - in the context of Chile's salmon industry
Author
Sørensen, Lene Mette
Term
4. term
Publication year
2009
Abstract
Dette speciale undersøger, hvordan handelsliberalisering påvirker sociale, økonomiske og miljømæssige forhold i Chiles lakseindustri, og om – og hvordan – virksomheders samfundsansvar (CSR) kan afhjælpe de påviste mangler ved en handelsdrevet vækstmodel. Med udgangspunkt i et casestudie kombinerer arbejdet indikatorer for sociale, økonomiske og miljømæssige effekter med en interessenttilgang for at vurdere konsekvenserne af eksportfremmende reformer. Analysen viser, at lavere handelsbarrierer og global markedsintegration kan drive vækst i BNP og eksport, men ikke i sig selv sikrer socialt retfærdig og miljømæssigt bæredygtig udvikling, hvilket afspejles i skæv indkomstfordeling, social eksklusion af sårbare grupper, lave lønninger og miljøforringelser. Den eksisterende CSR-indsats i lakseindustrien adresserede på papiret sociale, økonomiske og miljømæssige dimensioner, men den svage offentlige regulering og afhængigheden af selvregulering var utilstrækkelig til at løse problemerne. Specialet argumenterer for at gentænke CSR: Effektiv CSR kræver både aktivt ansvar fra virksomheder og et stærkt samspil med interessenter – især en stat, der opstiller og håndhæver en passende reguleringsramme. CSR kan bidrage til en mere bæredygtig udvikling i det internationale handelssystem, men virkningen afhænger af konteksten og interessenternes engagement, og når CSR erstatter egentlig regulering, kan situationen forværres.
This thesis examines how trade liberalization has shaped social, economic, and environmental outcomes in Chile’s salmon industry, and whether—and how—corporate social responsibility (CSR) can address the shortcomings of a trade-led growth model. Using a case study design that combines indicators of social, economic, and environmental effects with a stakeholder perspective, it assesses the consequences of export-oriented reforms. The analysis finds that lower trade barriers and deeper global integration can spur GDP and export growth, but do not, by themselves, secure environmentally sustainable or socially equitable development, as evidenced by unequal income distribution, exclusion of vulnerable groups, low wages, and environmental degradation. While the sector’s CSR strategy nominally covered social, economic, and environmental dimensions, weak public regulation and a heavy reliance on self-regulation limited its effectiveness. The thesis calls for rethinking CSR: effective practice requires active corporate commitment alongside engaged stakeholders—above all a strong state that sets and enforces an adequate regulatory framework. CSR can contribute to a more socially and environmentally sustainable international trading system, but its success is context-dependent and stakeholder-driven, and when used as a substitute for regulation it may even worsen outcomes.
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