Examines the concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the context of globalisation and its many challenges, focusing on different legal perspectives that arise. Highlighting the importance of law, legal systems and the role of lawyers to the debate on CSR, this book is suitable for students in commercial law, and international law.

This book examines the concepts of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the context of globalisation and its many challenges, focusing on different legal perspectives that arise. Particular problems presented include the varied definitions of CSR and the related dilemmas of opting for a self-regulatory approach or a greater level of external regulatory control. The roles of the state and the market and how they interrelate are considered in this book against a background of increased intervention by international institutions. The potential contribution of individual citizens and non-governmental organisations towards achieving a socially and environmentally responsible business behaviour is also given attention. These issues are of special concern in an era that calls for different political and regulatory activities than have been exploited traditionally.Highlighting the central importance of law, legal systems and the role of lawyers to the debate on CSR, this book will be of great interest to academics and policymakers. It will also appeal to students in law, especially company law, commercial law, and international law.

Contents:1. IntroductionNina Boeger, Rachel Murray and Charlotte Villiers2. Corporate Social Responsibility in Law and PolicyHalina Ward3. Misappropriating Citizenship: The Limits of Corporate Social ResponsibilityJoseph Corkin4. The United Nations, Human Rights and Transnational Organisations: Challenging the International Legal OrderSorcha Macleod5. Corporate Law, Corporate Power and Corporate Social ResponsibilityCharlotte Villiers6. Varieties of Capitalism and the Learning Firm: Corporate Governance and labour in the Context of Contemporary Developments in European and German Company LawPeer Zumbansen7. Corporate Social Responsibility: Do Corporations Have a Responsibility to Trade Fairly? Can the Fairtrade Movement Deliver the Duty?Janet Dine and Kirsteen Shields8. Reflexive Governance, Meta-Regulation and Corporate Social Responsibility: The Heineken EffectColin Scott9. Locating the 'Environment' Within Corporate Social Responsibility: Continuing Problems of Legal Definition and RepresentationDavid M. Ong10. Engaging IndividualsSally Wheeler