Global corporate environmentalism: Theoretical expectations and empirical experience

Since the mid-1980s the concept of corporate environmentalism has taken hold among global stakeholders, promising improved environmental health and safety (EH&S) performance at multinational (MNC) facilities in less developed countries. In this article we examine corporate environmentalism through two lenses: (1) our own empirical case studies of three Third World subsidiaries of USA-based multinationals; (2) evolving theories on EH&S performance at MNC subsidiaries in less developed countries. We suggest that over the past decade there has been a convergence of three theoretical perspectives – neoclassical, radical and ecological – toward consistent predictions of improved EH&S performances and relations with host country governments. However, important differences among the three perspectives remain in how each interprets improved EH&S performance in the context of long-term benefits to corporations, host countries, workers, local publics and the global community. While we find that the neoclassical economic perspective is most consistent with the empirical findings of our three case studies, we also note some debatable neoclassical assumptions concerning whether all stakeholders benefit mutually from superior EH&S performance. In order to gain wide acceptance beyond the corporate sector, the concept of corporate environmentalism must be expanded to include greater labor participation and accounting for ecological interests.     

Research engagement,impact and sustainable tourism

In this editorial, we reflect on how the Journal of Sustainable Tourism can contribute towards sustainable tourism researchers achieving more impact with their research. We propose some changes that can be tested in, and introduced gradually and collaboratively with, the community of the editorial board and authors. To support impactful mind sets, we will promote research that reflects diverse academic communities. To promote impactful research topics, we will encourage authors to frame their submitted articles against the Sustainable Development Goals, while research that is time sensitive will be fast tracked so it can contribute to current debates. To promote impactful methodologies, we shall favour articles that use mixed methods and action research, and those that conduct longitudinal, experimental, and evaluative research. To promote impactful partnerships, we will favour multidisciplinary approaches and research that has been co-created with stakeholders. To promote impactful communication and dissemination, we will continue to build an online community on social media for sustainable tourism researchers, we will promote articles in social media to raise their visibility, and we will provide free access to those articles that are deemed to have the greatest potential to impact positively on society.     

Book of Intdernational Economics Affairs: MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISES — A CONTINUING SAGA

AMERICAN MULTINATIONALS AND AMERICAN INTERESTS, by C. Fred Bergsten, Thomas Horst and Theodore H. Moran ALTERNATIVES TO THE MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISE, by Mark Casson THE ECONOMICS OF MULTINATIONAL ENTERPRISE, by Neil Hood and Stephen Young     

Chefs and suppliers: An exploratory look at supply chain issues in an upscale restaurant alliance

This paper examines some basic issues associated with supply chains in the context of acquiring local ingredients as part of producing a culinary tourism experience. Based on data collected from Executive Chefs at Relais & Châteaux restaurants through surveys and personal interviews, the authors document producer-to-chef relationships, why and how local ingredients are featured in menu listings, and how chefs communicate their use of local ingredients to their guests. The results also describe chefs’ beliefs about the use of local ingredients, as well as potential issues related to the use of suppliers and their perceptions of their guests’ expectations for their meals.