How home country industry associations influence MNE international CSR practices: Evidence from the Canadian mining industry

We explore how national industry associations influence the international CSR practices of MNEs. Drawing from a longitudinal case study of the evolution of CSR in the Canadian mining industry, we show how the Mining Association of Canada (MAC) aimed to influence the CSR practices of its member firms operating outside of Canada. Our findings reveal how MAC utilized multiple strategies to influence member firms in both the regulative and normative realm. We uncover the key mechanisms underpinning these strategies and factors that constrained or enabled the degree of their influence. Our study contributes to research on home country influences on MNE CSR practices and research on industry associations as institutional actors.     

社区组织:老年人社会福利再造的探索——从兰考老年人协会建设实践切入

西方福利思潮笼罩下的中国福利研究缺少本土文化和具体研究场域的关怀,而中国现实却让中国人的"西方福利梦想"成为一种不现实的选择,因为我们的现代化不可能重走西方国家发展的发展道路。在市场和时尚步步紧逼的情况下,中国农村中传统的福利观念在逐步地萎缩,同时农民所享受的净福利也同时在减少。如此的现实刺激着我们要冲破西方、市场和消费主义话语下的社会福利定义,从而进行社会福利的再造,只要这样我们才可以找回属于自己的福利内容并满足这种需要。老年人协会在村庄内正是承担了组织化再造社会福利的功能,如此我们才看到老年人的幸福生活。     

Dynamics of asymmetric conflict: The case of the German Milk Conflict

The German Milk Conflict developed when an emerging farmer association challenged the large incumbent in the wake of an insufficiently communicated policy change, abolition of the milk quota. The organizations represent opposing sides of a common policy debate, market liberalization versus regulation. The study analyzed the patterns between the two organizations and proposed a grounded theory of asymmetric conflict. Due to the elevated level of emotions during the conflict, the study used a qualitative research approach based on 34 in-depth interviews. The analysis uncovered the interlocking patterns of simplification and emotionalization by the smaller association and rationalizing by the larger association. Results indicate how an active opponent can use policy changes to its advantage and how to prevent such a development. Recommendations based on the grounded theory developed, such as implementing suitable communication strategies, are transferable to a variety of changes and conflict situations in complex environments, such as the food and agricultural sector.     

Cause-related marketing influence on consumer responses: The moderating effect of cause–brand fit

The traditional focus on the study of cause–brand fit in cause-related marketing (CrM) is that it is a mediator variable between consumer perceptions and subsequent responses. However, the literature is not conclusive on this point. This study adopts a new perspective, considering cause–brand fit as a moderator variable rather than a direct antecedent to consumer evaluations of CrM. Thus, the main objective of this research is to examine the moderator role of cause–brand fit in the influence of two corporate associations elicited in CrM (corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate ability (CA) associations) on brand attitude and two behavioural consumer responses (purchase intent and support to non-profit organisation (NPO)). For this, a theoretical model is proposed, and it is estimated with a sample of 595 Spanish consumers of insurance and personal hygiene and toiletries products. Results show that when consumers perceive high social cause–brand fit, the positive influence of CSR associations on the formation of brand attitude is amplified. However, when cause–brand fit is low, brand attitude is formed via CA associations. Finally, consumer behavioural responses in favour of the brand (i.e. purchase intent) and social cause (i.e. support to NPO) are reinforced in a context of high cause–brand perceived fit.     

Altruism in tourism: Social Exchange Theory vs Altruistic Surplus Phenomenon in host volunteering

Taking into consideration the scarcity of research on volunteering and altruistic behavior of host communities, this exploratory study examines altruism in tourism from the viewpoint of members of voluntary tourism associations. A literature review reveals two general types of altruism, i.e. reciprocal and true, as well as two theoretical constructs, namely Social Exchange Theory (SET) and Altruistic Surplus Phenomenon (ASP). By taking a sample of 21 members from two voluntary tourism associations located in the municipality of Veria, Northern Greece, this study confirms that reciprocal altruism is one of several motives for participating in voluntary tourism associations. Additionally, it is shown that ASP is more adequate than SET to interpret the study groups’ social behavior.     

物流行业协会发展现状与功能提升对策研究

对于处于发展起步阶段的物流行业来说,协会的作用不言而喻。在总结我国物流行业发展现状的基础上,对我国物流行业协会的发展动因和主要作用进行了分析,并指出其目前存在的问题,以及提升协会功能的对策。     

美日德行业协会的职能、网络与自身建设

行业协会越来越成为我国社会经济发展不可或缺的组成部分。然而由于历史原因,我国的行业协会的发展滞后于发达国家。本文分析了美国、日本、德国三个世界上最发达的市场经济国家的行业协会发展现状,总结其职能,对比其网络体系,揭示其在组织机构设置和人员管理方面体现的共同指导思想:为企业、为行业发展服务。基于此,文章认为,我国行业协会应首先明确自身的性质与职能,同时要健全网络体系、加强行业协会的自身建设。     

河南省创意产业关联性实证研究

文章以河南省为研究对象,根据2010年河南省投入产出表的数据,计算分析河南省创意产业与其他产业的关联度及其产业波及效果,指出河南省创意产业与第二、三产业存在密切的联系,并提出就进一步推动河南省创意产业发展的相关政策建议。     

Child Labor and Multinational Conduct: A Comparison of International Business andStakeholder Codes

Increasing attention to the issue of child labor has been reflected in codes of conduct that emerged in the past decade in particular. This paper examines the way in which multinationals, business associations, governmental and non-governmental organizations deal with child labor in their codes. With a standardized framework, it analyzes 55 codes drawn up by these different actors to influence firms external, societal behavior. The exploratory study helps to identify the main issues related to child labor and the use of voluntary instruments such as codes of conduct. Apart from a specific indication of the topics covered by the code, especially minimum-age requirements, this also includes monitoring systems and monitoring parties. Most important to company codes are the sanctions imposed on business partners in case of non-compliance. Severe measures may be counterproductive as they do not change the underlying causes of child labor and can worsen the situation of the child workers by driving them to more hazardous work in the informal sector. This underlines the importance of a broad rather than a restrictive approach to child labor in codes of conduct. The paper discusses the implications of this study, offering suggestions for future research.