Environmental Upgrading of Developing Country Firms in Global Value Chains

Abstract

While the strategic management literature on corporate social responsibility (CSR) is abundant, it tends to consider the context of developed countries, with a focus on certain specific issues such as the strategic behaviour of firms with regard to sustainable development and the economic benefits of CSR practices. The present study examines the influence of western organizations on responsible corporate behaviour in developing countries, an issue that has been somewhat neglected in the existing academic literature. In particular, it explores the environmental upgrading of developing country firms in global value chains. This research, conducted with the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method, involves 24 Tunisian olive oil companies. The findings indicate that exporting companies have indeed benefited from environmental upgrading, but, because of the cooperation strategy adopted by leading western firms (imposition of standards) and the absence of financial and technical assistance, the extent of environmental upgrading remains limited. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and ERP Environment

Environmental Upgrading in Pakistan’s Sporting Goods Industry in Global Value Chains: A Question of Progress?

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“…First, we briefly review the GVC literature on governance structures. Recent research reveals that environmental upgrading is highly dependent on the types of networks (GVCs) or position of the lead firm versus supplier firms (Achabou, Dekhili, & Hamdoun, 2017;Khattak & Stringer, 2016). Therefore, in order to arrive at a systematic analysis of the environ-mental upgrading of firms, it is critical to analyse the governance mechanisms of the networks in which the firms are embedded.…”

Corporate Social Responsibility in Supply Chains of Small and Medium‐Sized Enterprises

“…In addition, the scope is limited to large companies and public authorities, neglecting SMEs in the sustainability debates (Achabou et al, 2015;Johnson, 2015). In addition, the scope is limited to large companies and public authorities, neglecting SMEs in the sustainability debates (Achabou et al, 2015;Johnson, 2015).…”

Multi-criteria decision methods for CSR management – literature review

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“…The research perspectives are outlined. The integration of financial management in a strategy based on the CSR concept needs further investigation, because little has been done to evaluate CSR as value driver (except the study of Achabou et al, 2015) and nothing to assess its costs. Particularly linking financial and non-financial items at different levels of management (strategic, operational, tactic) is necessary.…”