Responsabilidad social corporativa y análisis económico: práctica frente a teoría

The present article has a double aim. First, to highlight some questions arising from the latent background in current practices of Corporate Social Responsibility. And second, to point out new perspectives to achieve a new and more advanced view in the subject. With that purpose, a historical review of the given interpretations for such a concept in different phases enables us to detect its changing and malleable nature. Further it will introduce an outline with the four main approaches in academic terms. Finally, the analysis will focus on highlighting in detail the differences between: a) the strategic and instrumental practice, now in fashion; and b) a normative theory derived from the economic analysis of an integral model of a pluralist or stakeholder company. It will also stress the importance when organizing a global or enlarged 'pluralist and participatory' corporative governance, as well as generating wealth for all the stakeholders. Therefore, without a primacy a priori of one part (the shareholders) over the remaining with regards to the decision making and value creating capacity.