Fragmented or Cohesive Transnational Private Regulation of Sustainability Standards? A Comparative Study

Regulation & Governance, DOI: 10.1111/rego.12055

Posted: 29 May 2014

See all articles by Luc Fransen

Luc Fransen

University of Amsterdam

Thomas Conzelmann

University of Mannheim - Department of Political Science

Date Written: May 28, 2014

Abstract

Literature on private regulation recognizes the proliferation of competing regulatory organizations and approaches in various industries. Studies analyzing why fragmentation arises so far focus on single-case studies, the exploration of single variables, or variation in types of fragmentation. This article analyzes why in certain industries and for certain issues regulatory organizations proliferate, while in others a single regulatory organization emerges which covers the entire industry. Through a comparative case study of private regulation of sustainability standards in the forestry, clothing, IT-electronics, and chemicals industries, we show how a combination of low industrial concentration, civil society involvement in governance, and stringent standards of a first-moving regulator offer the strongest explanation for a fragmented private regulatory field, while high industrial concentration, business-driven governance, and lenient standards of a first-moving regulator lead to cohesive regulation.

Keywords: corporate social responsibility, private regulation, regulatory competition, regime complexity, sustainability

Suggested Citation

Fransen, Luc and Conzelmann, Thomas, Fragmented or Cohesive Transnational Private Regulation of Sustainability Standards? A Comparative Study (May 28, 2014). Regulation & Governance, DOI: 10.1111/rego.12055, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2442803

Luc Fransen (Contact Author)

University of Amsterdam ( email )

Amsterdam, 1012 CX
Netherlands

Thomas Conzelmann

University of Mannheim - Department of Political Science ( email )

Mannheim, D-68131
Germany

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