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The governance of corporate social responsibility: Developing an inclusive regulation framework

Bethel Uzoma Ihugba (University of Wales, Cardiff, UK and African Higher Education and Research Observatory, Sheffield, UK)

International Journal of Law and Management

ISSN: 1754-243X

Article publication date: 4 March 2014

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the limitations of promoting corporate social responsibility (CSR) regulation and suggests a model for improving accountability in CSR practices through stakeholder engagement-based inclusive regulation framework that is effective, coherent and responsive.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper uses desk-based research to analyse extant literature on the concept of regulation of CSR by looking at examples, benefits and limitations before proposing a framework for improving CSR regulation.

Findings

The paper finds that the system of promoting CSR through self-regulation or introducing prescriptive regulation without sustainable stakeholder engagement is ineffective and inefficient.

Originality/value

The paper is original in its development of a new framework of “Inclusive Regulation” as a strategy for limiting the shortcomings of prescriptive regulation and enhancing self-regulation as CSR tools. It thus contributes to both theoretical and policy perspective in the enhancement of prescriptive and self-regulation in CSR-regulation discourse.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author remains very grateful to the Guest Editors: Dr Hakeem Yusuf and Dr Ismail Adelopo and reviewers for their painstaking reviews and advice. The author also thanks Dr Onyeka Osuji for all his advice, guidance and support and to the author's wife, Bright and daughter, Chidiebube for all their love, patience and support in all the endeavours and especially during the PhD research. The author takes sole responsibility for any and all errors.

Citation

Uzoma Ihugba, B. (2014), "The governance of corporate social responsibility: Developing an inclusive regulation framework", International Journal of Law and Management, Vol. 56 No. 2, pp. 105-120. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJLMA-04-2013-0015

Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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