Is the Socially Responsible Corporation a Myth? The Good, Bad and Ugly of Corporate Social Responsibility

Academy of Management Perspectives, May 2009

27 Pages Posted: 29 Mar 2009

See all articles by Timothy M. Devinney

Timothy M. Devinney

The University of Manchester - Alliance Manchester Business School

Date Written: March 28, 2009

Abstract

Despite differences of opinion about the efficacy of the concept of corporate social responsibility there is a general consensus amongst academics, policy makers and practitioners that corporations operate with social sanction that requires that they operate within the norms and mores of the societies in which they exist. In this article, I argue that the notion of a socially responsible corporation is potentially an oxymoron because of the naturally conflicted nature of the corporation. This has profound implications for our understanding of corporate social responsibility, what we view as the relevant issues relating to it and how we investigate its role and impact.

Keywords: Corporate Social Responsibility, Corporate Social Performance,

JEL Classification: D21,D6,M14,

Suggested Citation

Devinney, Timothy M., Is the Socially Responsible Corporation a Myth? The Good, Bad and Ugly of Corporate Social Responsibility (March 28, 2009). Academy of Management Perspectives, May 2009, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1369709

Timothy M. Devinney (Contact Author)

The University of Manchester - Alliance Manchester Business School ( email )

Booth Street West
Manchester, M15 6PB
United Kingdom

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