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Call for Papers (Special Issue of Business & Society) - Business Firm as a Political Actor

  • 1.  Call for Papers (Special Issue of Business & Society) - Business Firm as a Political Actor

    Posted 09-04-2009 21:18
    please excuse cross-postings to several distribution lists

    Call for Papers for a Special Issue of Business & Society

    The Business Firm as a Political Actor:
    A New Theory of the Firm for a Globalized World
    Andreas Georg Scherer
    University of Zurich, Switzerland
    Guido Palazzo
    University of Lausanne, Switzerland
    Dirk Matten
    York University, Canada

    The debate on the relationship between business and politics mainly
    builds on the assumption of a reasonably coherent regulatory environment,
    where nation state institutions address issues of public concern and
    regulate business behavior. In this model, state agencies are considered the
    only political institutions that directly focus on the well-being of society,
    whereas business firms are conceived of as economic actors only. Business
    firms—in this thinking—might well attempt to influence the political system
    by their lobbying or political strategies or might engage in corporate
    philanthropy as part of their strategies. These activities though do not
    change them into political actors that operate in the name of the public
    interest. Rather, it is assumed that their
    interaction with the political sphere
    fosters their economic ends.

    Over the last decade, however, this neat separation between the political
    and the economic sphere has become blurred. In the process of globalization,
    the national context of governance is eroding. In many cases, the state
    system fails in regulating the economy, dealing with transnational social
    and environmental problems, providing public goods, administering citizenship
    rights, and serving the public interest. This is particularly true when
    the public institutions lack the necessary resources or enforcement mechanisms.
    Under these conditions, civil society groups and private actors often
    step in and fill the void.

    Today, many multinational business firms have started to voluntarily
    regulate their activities or produce global public goods. As the widespread
    participation in the UN Global Compact shows, these firms assume political
    responsibilities that once were regarded as belonging to government. They
    contribute to public health, education, social security, and the protection of
    human rights or engage in self-regulation to fill gaps in legal regulation and
    to promote societal peace and stability. These business firms operate as
    social entrepreneurs and directly serve the public interest by their resources
    (money, assets, know-how, etc.) and their creativity.

    Next to globalization, distinct changes in political ideology during the
    past decades have led to massive changes in most industrialized countries.
    Substantial reforms of the postwar Keynesian welfare state—often commonly
    referred to as “neoliberal” reforms—have led to massive privatization
    of formerly government provided services (e.g., health care, basic
    shelter, education, telecommunication, public transport, water and electricity
    utilities, etc.). These developments have put corporations in charge of
    the provision of goods whose nature in terms of quality, accessibility, and
    affordability have an intricately political character.

    These activities go beyond the common understanding of instrumental
    corporate social responsibility and the economic concept of the business
    firm. Globalizing society erodes established ideas about the division of
    labor between the political and economic spheres. It calls for a fresh view
    concerning the political role of business in society and its creativity and
    contribution to social innovations and the public good. These phenomena
    need to be embedded in a new concept of the business firm as an economic
    and political actor in market societies.

    As outlined above, although there is a broad consensus on business
    occasionally “doing” political activities, there
    is as yet little appreciation of
    business actually “being” a political actor in itself, next to governments and
    increasingly also civil society actors. The political nature of the firm is
    highly contested—not only because it challenges existing notions of the
    role of business in society but also because of substantial concerns about
    the implications of this shift for democracy and the public good.

    The task of this Business & Society special issue
    is to discuss the consequences
    of a political mandate of the business firm and to examine the
    implications for the theory of the firm. We specifically invite papers which
    take a critical perspective on the political role of the firm. Authors should
    aim to develop strong theoretical and/or empirical insights that increase our
    understanding of the political behavior of global business firms and their
    contribution to society. We would like to see the contributions advance the
    discussion in two main directions that address the philosophical, theoretical,
    and practical domains of Business & Society:

    1. Theoretical concepts of a political theory of the business firm.
    Papers here might address questions such as the following:
    • Do companies have a political responsibility, and, if so, how can it
    be defined?
    • What does “political behavior” mean in a globalizing world?
    • How can we find a balance between corporate power and the
    public interest?
    • How can the link between organizational creativity and social
    innovation be conceptualized and explored?
    • How can the activities of companies be democratically controlled?
    • What are the problems caused by corporate political strategies and
    political lobbying?
    • What are the consequences of a political conception of corporate
    social responsibility for corporate governance and the economic
    theory of the firm?

    2. Implications for management theory building
    Possible topics might include (but are not restricted to) the following:
    • What role do organizational creativity and resources play for
    social innovations?
    • What are the consequences of the political role for organizational
    legitimacy?
    • What can be learned from the emerging forms of cooperation
    between business firms, NGOs, and civil society groups (e.g.,
    with respect to private–public-partnerships)?
    • How can responsible leadership contribute to social innovations?
    • Which organizational structures or incentive systems support
    social innovations?
    • How do business firms try to deal with their enlarged political role
    (best practices)?

    We invite both theoretical and empirical contributions that help us to
    better understand the political responsibility of business firms. Papers that
    argue across the potentially relevant disciplines (organization and management
    studies, business ethics and CSR, economics, legal studies, political
    theory, etc.) would be particularly welcome. The submitted papers are subject
    to the regular double-blind review process at Business & Society.

    Submission Instructions
    The format of the papers must follow Business & Society guidelines.
    Business & Society uses the American Psychological Association citation and
    reference system (please see any recent copy of the journal for a sample).
    Papers should include a 100-150 word abstract followed by 3 to 5 keywords.
    The paper itself should contain no indications of authorship.
    A title page containing full author contact information should be sent as
    a separate document to the coeditors.

    Deadlines/Timetable
    The tentative timetable for the special issue is as follows:
    March 1, 2010 Papers submitted electronically to coeditors
    March, 2010–Spring 2011 Review and revision process
    During 2012 (tentative) Publication of Business & Society Special Issue
    Contact Address
    Prof. Dr. Andreas Georg Scherer
    IOU/University of Zurich
    Universitätsstrasse 84
    CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland
    E-mail: andreas.scherer@iou.uzh.ch

    Duane Windsor, Ph.D., BAS Editor
    The Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Management
    The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business
    Rice University

    Regular Mail:
    MS-531 P.O. Box 2932
    Houston, TX 77252-2932

    Physical Delivery Only (FEDEX, UPS, etc.):
    McNair Hall 227 (Jones School Building)
    6100 Main St.
    Houston, TX 77005

    Voice 713-348-5372
    Fax 713-348-6296
    Email <odw@rice.edu>


  • 2.  Call for Papers (Special Issue of Business & Society) - Business Firm as a Political Actor

    Posted 09-05-2009 19:51

    Dear Duane,

     

    Thanks for the information about the special issue of BAS. We consider submitting a paper.

     

    FYI, we have been working in related fields for quite some time. (see: www.csend.org, www.diplomacydialogue.org) .

     

    In fact, we have organized a second workshop on Business Diplomacy at EIASM (see attached). There is still space for participation (at no costs) for researchers and scholars interested in this topic.

     

    If possible, please circulate the information amongst the membership, thanks.

     

    With best regards and wishes

    Raymond

     

     

    Professor Raymond Saner, Ph.D.

    Organisation and International Management

    University of Basle, Switzerland

     

    Director. DiplomacyDialogue , CSEND

    C.P. 1498 Mont Blanc

    1211 Geneva 1, Switzerland

    Tel: +41-22-906-1720; Fax: +41-22-738-1737

    saner@diplomacydialogue.org

    Web: http://www.diplomacydialogue.org

     

     

     

    -----Original Message-----
    From: International Management Discussion List [mailto:IMD-L@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU] On Behalf Of Duane Windsor
    Sent: Saturday, September 05, 2009 3:18 AM
    To: IMD-L@AOMLISTS.PACE.EDU
    Subject: Call for Papers (Special Issue of Business & Society) - Business Firm as a Political Actor

     

    please excuse cross-postings to several distribution lists

     

    Call for Papers for a Special Issue of Business & Society

     

    The Business Firm as a Political Actor:

    A New Theory of the Firm for a Globalized World

    Andreas Georg Scherer

    University of Zurich, Switzerland

    Guido Palazzo

    University of Lausanne, Switzerland

    Dirk Matten

    York University, Canada

     

    The debate on the relationship between business and politics mainly

    builds on the assumption of a reasonably coherent regulatory environment,

    where nation state institutions address issues of public concern and

    regulate business behavior. In this model, state agencies are considered the

    only political institutions that directly focus on the well-being of society,

    whereas business firms are conceived of as economic actors only. Business

    firms-in this thinking-might well attempt to influence the political system

    by their lobbying or political strategies or might engage in corporate

    philanthropy as part of their strategies. These activities though do not

    change them into political actors that operate in the name of the public

    interest. Rather, it is assumed that their

    interaction with the political sphere

    fosters their economic ends.

     

    Over the last decade, however, this neat separation between the political

    and the economic sphere has become blurred. In the process of globalization,

    the national context of governance is eroding. In many cases, the state

    system fails in regulating the economy, dealing with transnational social

    and environmental problems, providing public goods, administering citizenship

    rights, and serving the public interest. This is particularly true when

    the public institutions lack the necessary resources or enforcement mechanisms.

    Under these conditions, civil society groups and private actors often

    step in and fill the void.

     

    Today, many multinational business firms have started to voluntarily

    regulate their activities or produce global public goods. As the widespread

    participation in the UN Global Compact shows, these firms assume political

    responsibilities that once were regarded as belonging to government. They

    contribute to public health, education, social security, and the protection of

    human rights or engage in self-regulation to fill gaps in legal regulation and

    to promote societal peace and stability. These business firms operate as

    social entrepreneurs and directly serve the public interest by their resources

    (money, assets, know-how, etc.) and their creativity.

     

    Next to globalization, distinct changes in political ideology during the

    past decades have led to massive changes in most industrialized countries.

    Substantial reforms of the postwar Keynesian welfare state-often commonly

    referred to as "neoliberal" reforms-have led to massive privatization

    of formerly government provided services (e.g., health care, basic

    shelter, education, telecommunication, public transport, water and electricity

    utilities, etc.). These developments have put corporations in charge of

    the provision of goods whose nature in terms of quality, accessibility, and

    affordability have an intricately political character.

     

    These activities go beyond the common understanding of instrumental

    corporate social responsibility and the economic concept of the business

    firm. Globalizing society erodes established ideas about the division of

    labor between the political and economic spheres. It calls for a fresh view

    concerning the political role of business in society and its creativity and

    contribution to social innovations and the public good. These phenomena

    need to be embedded in a new concept of the business firm as an economic

    and political actor in market societies.

     

    As outlined above, although there is a broad consensus on business

    occasionally "doing" political activities, there

    is as yet little appreciation of

    business actually "being" a political actor in itself, next to governments and

    increasingly also civil society actors. The political nature of the firm is

    highly contested-not only because it challenges existing notions of the

    role of business in society but also because of substantial concerns about

    the implications of this shift for democracy and the public good.

     

    The task of this Business & Society special issue

    is to discuss the consequences

    of a political mandate of the business firm and to examine the

    implications for the theory of the firm. We specifically invite papers which

    take a critical perspective on the political role of the firm. Authors should

    aim to develop strong theoretical and/or empirical insights that increase our

    understanding of the political behavior of global business firms and their

    contribution to society. We would like to see the contributions advance the

    discussion in two main directions that address the philosophical, theoretical,

    and practical domains of Business & Society:

     

    1. Theoretical concepts of a political theory of the business firm.

    Papers here might address questions such as the following:

    • Do companies have a political responsibility, and, if so, how can it

    be defined?

    • What does "political behavior" mean in a globalizing world?

    • How can we find a balance between corporate power and the

    public interest?

    • How can the link between organizational creativity and social

    innovation be conceptualized and explored?

    • How can the activities of companies be democratically controlled?

    • What are the problems caused by corporate political strategies and

    political lobbying?

    • What are the consequences of a political conception of corporate

    social responsibility for corporate governance and the economic

    theory of the firm?

     

    2. Implications for management theory building

    Possible topics might include (but are not restricted to) the following:

    • What role do organizational creativity and resources play for

    social innovations?

    • What are the consequences of the political role for organizational

    legitimacy?

    • What can be learned from the emerging forms of cooperation

    between business firms, NGOs, and civil society groups (e.g.,

    with respect to private–public-partnerships)?

    • How can responsible leadership contribute to social innovations?

    • Which organizational structures or incentive systems support

    social innovations?

    • How do business firms try to deal with their enlarged political role

    (best practices)?

     

    We invite both theoretical and empirical contributions that help us to

    better understand the political responsibility of business firms. Papers that

    argue across the potentially relevant disciplines (organization and management

    studies, business ethics and CSR, economics, legal studies, political

    theory, etc.) would be particularly welcome. The submitted papers are subject

    to the regular double-blind review process at Business & Society.

     

    Submission Instructions

    The format of the papers must follow Business & Society guidelines.

    Business & Society uses the American Psychological Association citation and

    reference system (please see any recent copy of the journal for a sample).

    Papers should include a 100-150 word abstract followed by 3 to 5 keywords.

    The paper itself should contain no indications of authorship.

    A title page containing full author contact information should be sent as

    a separate document to the coeditors.

     

    Deadlines/Timetable

    The tentative timetable for the special issue is as follows:

    March 1, 2010 Papers submitted electronically to coeditors

    March, 2010–Spring 2011 Review and revision process

    During 2012 (tentative) Publication of Business & Society Special Issue

    Contact Address

    Prof. Dr. Andreas Georg Scherer

    IOU/University of Zurich

    Universitätsstrasse 84

    CH-8006 Zurich, Switzerland

    E-mail: andreas.scherer@iou.uzh.ch

     

    Duane Windsor, Ph.D., BAS Editor

    The Lynette S. Autrey Professor of Management

    The Jesse H. Jones Graduate School of Business

    Rice University

     

    Regular Mail:

    MS-531 P.O. Box 2932

    Houston, TX 77252-2932

     

    Physical Delivery Only (FEDEX, UPS, etc.):

    McNair Hall 227 (Jones School Building)

    6100 Main St.

    Houston, TX 77005

     

    Voice 713-348-5372

    Fax 713-348-6296

    Email <odw@rice.edu>