Business Regulation And Non-state Actors

This article discusses the role of non-state actors in regulating businesses and holding them accountable for their social and environmental impact. It addresses the limitations of previous research in this field, which often focuses on a few cases and neglects the impact on developing countries and marginalized groups. The article examines over 20 initiatives and institutions that aim to regulate businesses, including corporate social responsibility, corporate accountability, and fair trade.

This volume assesses the achievements and limitations of a new set of non-state or multistakeholder institutions that are concerned with improving the social and environmental record of business, and holding corporations to account. It does so from a perspective that aims to address two limitations that often characterize this field of inquiry. First, fragmentation: articles or books typically focus on one or a handful of cases. Second, the development dimension: what does such regulation imply for developing countries and subaltern groups in terms of well-being, empowerment and sustainability? This volume examines more than 20 initiatives or institutions associated with different regulatory and development approaches, including the business-friendly corporate social responsibility (CSR) agenda, 'corporate accountability' and 'fair trade' or social economy.