Teaching Documents by Peter Utting
René Audet, an environmental sociologist, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre d'études du déve... more René Audet, an environmental sociologist, is a postdoctoral fellow at the Centre d'études du développement durable, Université Libre de Bruxelles; and affiliated researcher at
Papers by Peter Utting
The Global Crisis and Transformative Social Change, 2012
The corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda has taken off since the 1980s, with both civil s... more The corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda has taken off since the 1980s, with both civil society and business actors involved in mobilising around it. This paper examines the reasons for civil society mobilisation on CSR issues, the types of organisations involved, and their different forms of activism and relations with business. It then identifies the ways in which big business is engaging with and shaping the CSR agenda, but questions whether this agenda can effectively contribute to development. The paper argues that the CSR agenda can deal with some of the worst symptoms of maldevelopment, such as poor working conditions, pollution, and poor factory-community relations, but that it does not deal with the key political and economic mechanisms through which transnational companies undermine the development prospects of poor countries. A final section considers how this agenda may evolve on the basis of recent developments in CSR activism and regulation.
Global Justice Activism and Policy Reform in Europe, 2012
Social (UNRISD) es un instituto autónomo dentro del sistema de las Naciones Unidas que realiza in... more Social (UNRISD) es un instituto autónomo dentro del sistema de las Naciones Unidas que realiza investigaciones multidisciplinarias y análisis de políticas sobre las dimensiones sociales de cuestiones contemporáneas de desarrollo. Nuestra labor consiste en velar por que la equidad social, la inclusión y la justicia sean piezas fundamentales del pensamiento, la política y la práctica del desarrollo.
Global Justice Activism and Policy Reform in Europe, 2012
Economic Reform and Third-World Socialism, 1992
A considerable body of literature now exists which documents and explains the shift from orthodox... more A considerable body of literature now exists which documents and explains the shift from orthodoxy to reform in mainsteam socialist societies. In Part I of this study I refer to some of this literature and, in particular, the experience of the Soviet Union and China. In doing so I will identify those features of development strategy in socialist countries which may be labelled ‘orthodox’ and look briefly at the nature of the economic and food policy reforms which have been introduced.
Business Regulation and Non-State Actors, 2013
Carola Kantz works as a consultant for stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility and... more Carola Kantz works as a consultant for stakeholder relations, corporate social responsibility and sustainability issues in the energy, mobility and extractive industries, Germany.
Journal of Corporate Citizenship, 2003
Beijing in November 2002. At the conference on 'Labour Relations and Corporate Social Responsibil... more Beijing in November 2002. At the conference on 'Labour Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility under Globalisation', held at Renmin University, representatives of global corporations and anti-sweatshop activists came together to discuss issues related to corporate social responsibility (CSR), notably working conditions and labour relations. Chinese organisations, including the China Enterprise Confederation, local NGOs such as the Institute for Contemporary Observation and several academic institutions presented their perspectives on CSR in China and the relevancy of international initiatives and thinking in this field. The heads of some of the major 'multi-stakeholder' organisations that are active in the CSR field were also present, notably the Ethical Trading Initiative, the Workers' Rights Consortium and the Fair Labor Association. Adding to the mix were consultancy and auditing companies or NGOs such as SGS, Impactt and Verité, as well as several US and European research centres and the United Nations Research Institute for Social Development.
… Approaches to Corporate Responsibility: Readings and …, 2002
Since the 1980s, there has been a considerable shift in thinking regarding how to improve the soc... more Since the 1980s, there has been a considerable shift in thinking regarding how to improve the social and environmental performance of transnational corporations. An earlier emphasis on governmental regulation ceded ground to "corporate self-regulation" and voluntary initiatives. This voluntary approach has evolved in recent years and assumed new institutional forms which attempt to overcome some of the limitations of company codes of conduct and other selfregulatory initiatives. The latest shift in approach involves the emergence of so-called "multistakeholder initiatives" where NGOs, multilateral and other organizations encourage companies to participate in schemes that set social and environmental standards, monitor compliance, promote social and environmental reporting and auditing, certify good practice, and encourage stakeholder dialogue and "social learning." Referring to 14 such schemes, this paper seeks to examine why multistakeholder initiatives have emerged as one of the dominant regulatory approaches in recent years. It clarifies their purpose and role, identifies some of their strengths and weaknesses and concludes by questioning whether such approaches are likely to significantly advance the agenda of corporate social responsibility 61 1.
Environmental Conservation, 1992
This paper analyzes the problems, trends and prospects for food security in Mexico, Nicaragua, Bo... more This paper analyzes the problems, trends and prospects for food security in Mexico, Nicaragua, Bolivia, and Chile. There are three main sections: The first evaluates the state of food security in the four countries. The second examines the development of their national food systems and the problems of food security in an historical context. Finally, the authors assess the prospects for food security in the region as a whole.
... Thèmes de The Greening of Business in Developing Countries... : ECONOMIE ET GESTION DES ENTRE... more ... Thèmes de The Greening of Business in Developing Countries... : ECONOMIE ET GESTION DES ENTREPRISES / Ouvrages généraux; ENVIRONNEMENT - POLLUTION - EAU - ENERGIE / Ouvrages généraux. ... Au cur de l'actualité. Médicaments - les règles du jeu. ...
UNRISD welcomes such applications. The designations employed in UNRISD publications, which are in... more UNRISD welcomes such applications. The designations employed in UNRISD publications, which are in conformity with United Nations practice, and the presentation of material therein do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of UNRISD concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. The responsibility for opinions expressed rests solely with the author(s), and publication does not constitute endorsement by UNRISD.
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Teaching Documents by Peter Utting
Papers by Peter Utting