The political trajectory of the Brazilian CSR movement
Critical Perspectives on International Business
ISSN: 1742-2043
Article publication date: 30 September 2014
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to examine the origins and trajectory of the Brazilian corporate social responsibility (CSR) movement in relation to political economic developments in Brazil during and prior to the 2000s.
Design/methodology/approach
This paper relies on a historical political account that traces the evolution of the main actors in the CSR movement since the democratization period, details the contacts established with relevant political and civil society groups and outlines the adaptation of their agenda to the changing context.
Findings
The long association between a faction of Brazilian business and the Workers’ Party (PT) and the overlapping state – society relations characteristic of the Brazilian political economy explain the domestic and international standing of the Brazilian CSR movement, in particular since 2003 when Lula da Silva came to power.
Originality/value
The trajectory of Brazilian CSR and participation in related global initiatives cannot be explained through market-based or isomorphic approaches traditionally used to analyze the diffusion of governance mechanisms in the Global South. Rather, it highlights the relevance of local political structures in shaping involvement in global governance initiatives.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank Prof Andreas Nölke and different commentators in relation to an early version of this article presented at the 2012 “The role of large emerging countries in the world economy” Conference at the University of Parma. In addition, the author extends sincere thanks to two anonymous reviewers and the editorial team of CPoIB.
Citation
Milcíades Peña, A. (2014), "The political trajectory of the Brazilian CSR movement", Critical Perspectives on International Business, Vol. 10 No. 4, pp. 310-328. https://doi.org/10.1108/cpoib-03-2014-0016
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Emerald Group Publishing Limited