This article reviews the literature on corporate political action (CPA), integrating the perspectives of nine basic social science theories. Theoretical and empirical research grounded in these nine theories have described the characteristics of firms that engage in CPA (who), their rationale (why), and their methods (how). To a much lesser extent, the literature has also addressed how CPA changes over time (when) and the settings in which CPA is done (where). Reexamining the CPA literature this way directs us toward fundamental research questions that have not yet been addressed.

Research in Corporate Political Action: Integration and Assessment

We propose that corporate directors are important in helping organizations deal with two major issues of stakeholders. First, directors can help manage the interests of organizational stakeholders, and second, they assist in protecting the interests of their organizations as stakeholders in society. Their contribution can be conceptualized as the directors’ roles in corporate social responsibility (DR-CSR). We identify two types of DR-CSR, organization-centered and society-centered roles. Based on a study of 120 corporate directors, we observe that the more concern that corporate directors have for stakeholders, the more likely that they will perceive the need to perform their DR-CSR effectively.

Directors’ Roles in Corporate Social Responsibility: A Stakeholder Perspective

Scholars who study multinational enterprises (MNEs) recognize the complex relationship between international business and society. However, compared to other international business topics, research on politics, corruption and corporate social responsibility (CSR) - three 'lenses' on the MNE - remains somewhat embryonic, with critical unresolved issues regarding frameworks, measurement, methods and theory. This creates rich opportunities for integration and extension of disciplinary perspectives, which we explore in this article. Building on the three lenses framework, we identify common concepts and tools, outline an agenda for additional theoretical and empirical research, and review the papers in this special issue.

https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/Delivery.cfm/SSRN_ID900544_code33607.pdf?abstractid=900544&mirid=1&type=2

Three Lenses on the Multinational Enterprise: Politics, Corruption and Corporate Social Responsibility

In this study, we focus on existing research of corporate political activity (CPA) in management and organization science. We systematically explore the theoretical and conceptual underpinnings of the research field by utilizing bibliometric analysis. The results identify several gaps in the extant research on CPA, implying that the field is incomplete and inadequate. Hence, we argue that the field needs the application of a wider array of theories and methodological approaches in order to increase and complement the prevailing knowledge. This study is an example of how meta-analytical research can assist research problematization and theory building in organization studies. Descriptors: bibliometric analysis, theory building, corporate political activity, literature review

Conceptual and theoretical underpinnings in the research of corporate political activity: a bibliometric analysis

How do multilateral institutions influence the strategic choices and actions of international managers? This paper addresses the question by exploring the impact of the World Trade Organization's (WTO) decision-making process on multinational enterprises (MNEs). We discuss the three phases of the WTO decision-making lifecycle - the formulation of trade rules, the implementation of those rules, and the enforcement of the rules – and propose a strategic adjustment framework for understanding how companies alter their strategies and structures in response to the WTO's rules and operations. We argue that the increased relevance of multilateral rules and enforcement mechanisms – embodied in the WTO - is an important influence on MNE strategies and structures because of the increasing embeddedness of the WTO in national levels of regulation. We illustrate this through examples taken from the pharmaceutical, textiles and sugar industries sectors that have witnessed substantial multilateral regulation.

Hans Schöllhamer

Papers

Multinational corporations and governments: Business-government relations in an international context