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From Implicit to Explicit Corporate Social Responsibility: Institutional Change as a Fight for Myths

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  • Hiss, Stefanie

Abstract

The focus of this paper is institutional change and the changing role of business in Germany. Back in the 1980s, the German institutional framework was characterized by implicit mandatory and obligatory regulations that set a clear context for responsible corporate behavior. Today, this framework has eroded and given way to a situation in which corporations explicitly and voluntarily take responsibility for social issues. This shift from implicit to explicit corporate social responsibility is an indication of a major institutional change epitomized by the deconstruction of ‘old’ and the reconstruction of ‘new’ institutions. In the course of this change, corporations, state actors, and civil society organizations compete for their ideas and interests in what we call a fight for myths. The paper traces this fight for myths and the changing understanding of corporate responsibility in Germany.

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  • Hiss, Stefanie, 2009. "From Implicit to Explicit Corporate Social Responsibility: Institutional Change as a Fight for Myths," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 19(3), pages 433-451, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:buetqu:v:19:y:2009:i:03:p:433-451_01
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    4. Hajdu, Anna & Daziano, Marcos F. & Visser, Oane, 2021. "Institutions and individual values motivating corporate social responsibility activities in large farms and agroholdings," EconStor Open Access Articles and Book Chapters, ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics, vol. 24(4), pages 669-696.
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    7. Ulf Richter, 2011. "Drivers of Change: A Multiple-Case Study on the Process of Institutionalization of Corporate Responsibility Among Three Multinational Companies," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 102(2), pages 261-279, August.
    8. Elke Schuessler & Stephen J. Frenkel & Chris F. Wright, 2019. "Governance of Labor Standards in Australian and German Garment Supply Chains: The Impact of Rana Plaza," ILR Review, Cornell University, ILR School, vol. 72(3), pages 552-579, May.
    9. Sabine Knothe & Sabine Schonebeck & Andreas Wömpener, 2009. "Wechselwirkungen von Handlungen der Unternehmensführung und öffentlicher Meinungsbildung – Spezifikation eines Kommunikationsmodells," Metrika: International Journal for Theoretical and Applied Statistics, Springer, vol. 20(2), pages 215-237, October.
    10. Michael S. Aßländer & Tobias Gössling & Peter Seele, 2016. "Editorial: Business Ethics in a European Perspective: A Case for Unity in Diversity?," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 139(4), pages 633-637, December.
    11. Florian Scheiber, 2015. "Dressing up for Diffusion: Codes of Conduct in the German Textile and Apparel Industry, 1997–2010," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 126(4), pages 559-580, February.
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    13. Irina Lock & Peter Seele, 2015. "Analyzing Sector‐Specific CSR Reporting: Social and Environmental Disclosure to Investors in the Chemicals and Banking and Insurance Industry," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 22(2), pages 113-128, March.
    14. Dan Caprar & Benjamin Neville, 2012. "“Norming” and “Conforming”: Integrating Cultural and Institutional Explanations for Sustainability Adoption in Business," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 110(2), pages 231-245, October.
    15. Hajdu, Anna & Daziano, Marcos F. & Visser, Oane, 2021. "Institutions and individual values motivating corporate social responsibility activities in large farms and agroholdings," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 24(4), April.
    16. Markus A. Höllerer, 2013. "From Taken-for-Granted to Explicit Commitment: The Rise of CSR in a Corporatist Country," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(4), pages 573-606, June.
    17. Barkemeyer, Ralf & Preuss, Lutz & Ohana, Marc, 2018. "Developing country firms and the challenge of corruption: Do company commitments mirror the quality of national-level institutions?," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 90(C), pages 26-39.
    18. erro, Ainhoa garayar & calvo sánchez, José antonio, 2012. "Joining the un global compact in spain : an institutional Aproach," Revista de Contabilidad - Spanish Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 15(2), pages 311-355.
    19. Momin, Mahmood Ahmed & Parker, Lee D., 2013. "Motivations for corporate social responsibility reporting by MNC subsidiaries in an emerging country: The case of Bangladesh," The British Accounting Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(3), pages 215-228.
    20. Christof Miska & Mark E. Mendenhall, 2018. "Responsible Leadership: A Mapping of Extant Research and Future Directions," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(1), pages 117-134, March.
    21. Francesca Conte & Agostino Vollero & Claudia Covucci & Alfonso Siano, 2020. "Corporate social responsibility penetration, explicitness, and symbolic communication practices in Asia: A national business system exploration of leading firms in sustainability," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 27(3), pages 1425-1435, May.
    22. David Risi & Christopher Wickert, 2017. "Reconsidering the ‘Symmetry’ Between Institutionalization and Professionalization: The Case of Corporate Social Responsibility Managers," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(5), pages 613-646, July.

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