Article2010

Social responsibilities of MNCs in downsizing operations

100 citations0/0 files storedAccounting Auditing & Accountability Journal

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Corporate Social Responsibility Reporting Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability Organizational Downsizing and Restructuring

Abstract

Purpose This paper aims to contribute to the understanding of the social aspects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) by studying a case of organizational downsizing. Design/methodology/approach The paper uses a theoretical framework consisting of stakeholder theory and legitimacy theory together with the concept of social contract. Textual analysis methods are used to analyse and interpret the empirical data, which consist of mass media articles. Findings The main finding is that key stakeholders, especially employees and their representatives and the multinational corporation (MNC) itself perceive social aspects of CSR differently. The economic dimension dominates the social aspect in the corporate representatives' argumentation. Accounting information is used as a rhetorical tool to legitimise the downsizing actions rather than for purposes of accountability and transparent informative content. Research limitations/implications The research is based on a detailed analysis of a specific context. This may limit the wider applicability of the findings. Even so, it adds insights to the academic literature on the varying conceptions of the social responsibilities of corporations, perceived not only by the firm itself, but also by different stakeholders. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature on CSR by investigating understandings of corporate social responsibility in a case where the economic and social responsibilities of a firm are publicly debated. The study also links the theoretical debate on corporate social responsibility to a context with a complex range of political and social factors affecting the construction of the social and economic responsibilities of a firm.

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References

2010Strategic management a stakeholder approach 2022Business Research Methods 1972The Agenda-Setting Function of Mass Media 2008“Implicit” and “Explicit” CSR: A Conceptual Framework for a Comparative Understanding of Corporate Social Responsibility 2002Introduction 1995Corporate social and environmental reporting 2001Globalization: a critical introduction 2002An examination of the corporate social and environmental disclosures of BHP from 1983‐1997

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