Corporate Social Responsibility and the Shaping of Global Public Policy

This book introduces readers to the dynamic networks made up of businesses, NGOs and multilateral organizations that, for better and for worse, define corporate social responsibility (CSR) today. It examines the work of these CSR networks that are taking on the "heavy-lifting" of global governance.

"At a time when social contracts globally need reinvention, my BSR colleague Matt Hirschland's book is an extremely welcome arrival. If we are to create the sustainable and just world we seek, we have much to gain from fostering the global public policy networks he describes.His book will undoubtedly make a lasting and valued contribution to the way we think about global governance gaps and more importantly, the way we shape solutions."

- Aron Cramer, CEO, Business for Social Responsibility

"Corporate Social Responsibility and the Shaping of Global Public Policy refreshingly addresses the strengths and limits of contemporary corporate social responsibility (CSR) by describing in detail the rich networks that have grown up in the last decade to support and drive business sustainability.With his comprehensive and useful survey of the CSR landscape, Hirschland deepens our understanding of the concerns raised in business schools, board rooms, and management meetings about the scalability, desirability and impact of companies taking on daunting social and environmental challenges.This book should be mandatory reading for MBA students and aware business leaders alike." - Kellie McElhaney, Director, Center for Responsible Business, Haas School of Business, UC Berkeley

"Hirschland offers a probing, lucid exploration of the most urgent global governance issue we face: In the 21st century, who will provide urgently needed public goods - human rights, environmental stewardship, transparency - and under what accountability mechanisms? The simple answer - government no longer suffices. Business and civil society are in ascendance in an increasingly complex landscape. Hirschland's rich insights are the basis for both understanding and hope."

- Allen White, Senior Fellow, Tellus Institute and Co-founder of the Global Reporting Initiative

"Matthew Hirschland's Corporate Social Responsibility and the Shaping of Global Public Policy, is a fascinating book. In the context of the growing pressures of internationalization and globalization, many believe that the nation state is losing its ability to control huge multi-national corporations. The consequence, they fear, is that competitive pressures will force these companies to shirk their social, environmental, and public responsibilities. Hirschland demonstrates that even many of the world's top companies are worried about this 'tragedy of the commons.' Perhaps more surprisingly, he demonstrates that many of them are willing to do something about it. This book examines the ways in which multi-national corporations and non-governmental organizations are attempting (and not always succeeding) to shape, constrain and sometimes improve the world they increasingly dominate.This book should be required reading in Davos."

- Sven Steinmo, Department of Political Science, University of Colorado, Boulder and author of Growing Apart? America and her Neighbors in a Globalizing World

MATTHEW HIRSCHLAND is Director of Research & Communications at Business for Social Responsibility.